A 100-year-old Saudi man trudges every day for some 17 kms to attend primary school in Jizan, along with students of his grandchildren's age. Yahia Al-Shahrani walks the rugged road to school daily from his home without complaining of the heat or cold. Al-Shahrani goes to school in the company of his children and grandchildren to catch up with the education he had missed over all these years due to financial difficulties. Al-Shahrani told Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper, "I am very happy to be sitting in the school bench so I can get at least some education. I am keen to attend classes, and am regular in my studies. I also call upon older people to take advantage of the literacy campaign and learn to read and write. I hope everybody in this world is able to read the Holy Quran, the book of Allah. This in itself is unmatched happiness." The executive director of the literacy campaign in Jizan region, Hassan Adawi praised Al-Shahrani for being one of the best adult students, who continues to enjoy a powerful memory that retains the past, keeps abreast with the present, and plans for the future.
