Hamas demands Israel end war, withdraw troops for hostage release; Israel says it will not end the war until Hamas is dismantled, hostages free
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As part of an ambitious humanitarian mission, trekkers from the Hope Voyage Campaign embarked on an unforgettable journey across the desert, travelling from Abu Dhabi to Yemen. Their goal? To raise $200,000 for development projects in Yemen.
Along the way, they encountered a series of surprising and challenging moments, from chasing runaway camels to digging for food in the desert, and discovering buried cash while digging beds in the sand.
The journey began on January 1, 2025, led by seasoned desert explorer Mike Etzger and professional hiker Daniel Schenkeveld, who set out on a 2,200km trek through the Al Khatim Desert. They were joined by four temporary trekkers: Peter Bunce, Mohseen Suliman and his 14-year-old son Muhammed-Rameez, and 15-year-old Umar Abdillah. Their only companions were two camels, Mashhour and Fatr Samha, who mainly carried their supplies throughout the journey.
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The first five days of the trek proved to be anything but ordinary. The harsh desert conditions—slogging through soft yet endless sand, relentless flies, and scorching heat—were just the beginning. The real drama came from the camels, particularly Fatr Samha, a wild female camel who seemed intent on making trouble. She frequently escaped, kicked anyone who got too close, and disappeared for hours at a time.
“It’s hard to imagine the challenges we faced in those first few days,” said Etzger. “Our camels were freaked by dune buggies racing around the desert at night, and they both ran off. We had to split up and search for over an hour before finally finding them, nearly a kilometre away from our camp.
“It was a miracle; we did not imagine in a million years to find them,” he added.
The situation only worsened the following day when Fatr Samha broke out of her gates again, running wild and kicking anyone who attempted to control her. Despite multiple efforts, including tracking her for over 10km, she remained untamed, forcing Etzger to hire a truck to return her back to her owner’s farm in Sharjah. However, even getting her into the truck was a battle, with the camel rolling around and resisting all attempts to load her.
“She was rolling around the truck to avoid getting in—it was almost like she was determined not to leave,” described Etzger.
For Suliman, the challenges proved too much. On the third day, he was injured when Fatr Samha snatched a rope from his hands and ran toward him, causing a severe burn that required medical attention.
Deciding to cut his journey short due to his injuries, Suliman noted, "It (injuries) will take about three weeks to heal.
While the camels presented challenges, the trekkers found moments of camaraderie, humour, and learning. They identified desert plants, dug for food, and even learned how to survive in the desert. Suliman recalled the group finding desert hyacinth, a root vegetable that was sweet when boiled but a bit bitter when eaten raw.
They also learned practical survival skills like starting fires with flint and navigating the desert’s shifting sands. One unexpected rainstorm on the first weekend forced the group into a tiny tent, a moment that became a source of laughter and bonding.
“It was quite funny how we all squeezed into the small tent when the rain came pouring down,” said Suliman.
There were also more practical challenges. On the second day, the group’s supplies kept slipping off the camels, prompting an impromptu fix. “We improvised by tearing holes through the sacks to slip the ropes through,” he said. “But eventually, the bags ripped, and the luggage fell to the ground.”
That’s when Etzger stepped in with another survival skill. “He tore a rope in half and used the threads to sew the sacks back together. Luckily, he already had a needle with him,” Suliman explained.
Despite the tough conditions, the trek proved to be a "once-in-a-lifetime experience", according to Suliman. He shared that his son particularly enjoyed “making the campfire, chopping grass to feed the camels, and sleeping under the stars".
“I’m thinking of joining Mike again for a weekend, wherever he is near Oman, before he ventures deeper into the desert,” he added.
In a lighthearted moment, 14-year-old Muhammed-Rameez and 15-year-old Umar Abdillah discovered an old swing at one of their campsites and had fun swinging in the desert. It was during this playful moment that they learned how easily things could vanish under the soft sand; “my son dropped his phone while swinging, and it was soon buried under piles of sand," Suliman shared with a smile.
While the journey across the desert was an adventure, the real purpose of The Hope Voyage is to support humanitarian efforts in Yemen. The funds raised from this journey will contribute to several life-saving projects in Yemen. The Hope Voyage is already involved in various humanitarian efforts, such as the Nesma & Sindbad Medical Clinic, which was established in 2013 and named after two of Etzger’s camels that passed away. The clinic provides essential healthcare services to Yemenis in remote areas.
In addition, the Hope Voyage has funded the construction of two freshwater wells, which aim to provide clean water to communities in Yemen. The project focuses on alleviating the water scarcity crisis that has deeply affected the region.
A cornerstone of the Hope Voyage’s mission is the Livestock Breeding Training Program in Bor, Wadi Hadramaut. This program aims to empower Yemenis with the skills necessary to breed livestock, ultimately fostering self-sufficiency. “We hope to create 1,000 to 2,000 new jobs annually through this program,” Etzger explained.
“So far, we’ve seen great success—17 students have graduated, and they now have the tools to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.”
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