He Led His Class. Then Economic Struggle Forced Him Out.

Nine-year-old Noor stood at the front of his third-grade classroom, gripping his academic report with shaking hands. Number one. Again. His teacher smiled with joy. His schoolmates applauded. For a momentary, wonderful moment, the nine-year-old boy imagined his hopes of being a soldier—of helping his nation, of rendering his parents happy—were

read more