Aisha collects garbage and lives in a city slum in Yemen. She struggles to survive, even though the the marginalized Akhdam have steadily worsened since the beginning of the war in Yemen, years ago. Like many of the poorest people here, she spends her day at the garbage dump, trying to find some water, food or even some other things to use or sell. Aisha nearly died when she caught Covid last year – in the cramped slums nobody can afford to be treated in a hospital. But her hope is strong, hope for things to get better for her, and for her people.
Official estimates say there are 500,000 Akhdam in Yemen, but other sources say it is closer to 3 million. Their origins are uncertain, but they are of African descent and have always faced social inequality. They are discriminated against in many ways and have few opportunities. The Akhdam live, isolated, in the slums of the big cities in Yemen and speak a mixture of Amharic, Somali and Arabic. Their living conditions reflect their inability to earn more than they need to survive. There is no sanitation or electricity. Almost none of the children attend school and the infant death rate is shocking. Many of them suffer from genetic or preventable disease.
Many Yemeni Arabs consider the Akhdam to be bad Muslims because of how they live, without considering how unjustly they are treated.
How to Pray
- Pray for groups that advocate for the Akhdam to have more opportunities and equal treatment in Yemen. Pray for more healthcare, infrastructure, and education to be made accessible to them. (Proverbs 14:31)
- Pray for the Akhdam to find hope and a future, in the plans that God has for them. (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Pray for completion of Bible translation in this people group’s mother tongue and for Christian workers to share the love of Christ with them. (John 3:16)
Learn more about and pray for Yemen at pray4yemen.com
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