At the start of this month’s lesson, my team of volunteers and I wanted to see if the children had applied what they learned last month. Before introducing the new topic, we asked, “Who remembers what we learned last time? Did anyone try to use it? ”

After a brief pause, Abdirahim, a bright and thoughtful nine-year-old, raised his hand. Curious, we invited him to share his story with the class.

With excitement in his voice, Abdirahim recounted an incident from a few days ago. He had witnessed two younger children arguing over a toy, their voices rising as they pulled it back and forth, unwilling to let go. In that moment, he recalled our lesson about resolving conflicts peacefully. Instead of walking away or ignoring the situation, he decided to step in and help.

At first, the two children were too upset to listen. But Abdirahim remained calm and patiently spoke to each of them. He asked one child why he wanted the toy, then turned to the other and did the same. After hearing both sides, he gently suggested, “You both want to play with it, so let’s take turns.”

The children hesitated, considering his suggestion. Then, slowly, they nodded in agreement. One played with the toy first while the other waited, and then they switched. Soon, their frustration faded, replaced by smiles as they played together.

This was a truly special moment. Abdirahim didn’t just remember our lesson—he put it into action. His story proved that even small acts of kindness and understanding can make a big difference. The other children were inspired, realizing that they too had the power to resolve conflicts peacefully. It was heartwarming to see how Abdirahim chose patience and fairness over conflict, reinforcing that the lessons we teach can truly change lives.