By
Mowliid A. Hassan
Youth
are the most important assets of every nation, they are tomorrows’ everything
and today’s flowers. If they are not given the care they deserved; the
country’s future is indeed bleak and gloomy.
After
the collapse of Somalia’s central government the country faced its darkest
times ever. Civil wars erupted, the national assets were looted and hundreds of
thousands of people died. Lots of youngsters had been recruited for crimes and
clan-based wars. But today, the youth’s consciousness is not as it was long
before. The whole country’s situation is gradually stabilizing, yet the
international media’s galleries are full of old pictures of Somalia!
The
efforts of local Somali youth are highly increasing in almost all regions of
the country. Lots of them are running their own businesses; some are helping
the needy and less privileged people, while others are busy for the improvement
of their lives and the lives of others. Through social media some are
showcasing the development and the hidden beauty of their country that most of
the mainstream media are not highlighting.
The
objective of this article is to briefly showcase and appreciate some of the
remarkable endeavors and good works of Somali youth living in the country.
Although I couldn’t mention all of them, I here preferred to randomly select
some of them amongst those I personally aware of their
contributions, whether be individual or team based. Therefore, I
hereby disclaim that the order of individuals caries not weights.
UBAXA CAASIMADDA
‘UbaxaCaasimadda’ roughly
translating into ‘The flower of the City’: are university
students dedicated to plant flowers on the main roads of Mogadishu [formerly
known as the war-torn city] to bring back the beauty of the city.
“Our
vision is making Mogadishu beautiful once again; it’s every person’s
responsibility to ensure that our city looks good” Ubaxa Caasimadda’s team
leader told CCTV-Africa.
Ubaxa Caasimadda’s
efforts are not only limited to planting flowers on the major roads, but also
painting zebra crossing on the main streets of the capital aiming at improving
the safety of the residents. This initiative is really admired by everyone who
hears their creativity.
Hiil-Qalin
HiilQalin
is a vibrant platform where (young) writers, poets, and booklovers meet and
share their views and interact with each other. The primary objective of
HiilQalin is to promote and develop the vanishing Somali language by
encouraging the culture of reading, writing and poetry. The masterminds behind
the existence of this great initiative are young people living in Hargeysa;
they really deserve more than ‘well done’. HiilQalin inspires the youngsters
and uplifts the Somali language
IFIYE
Ifiye is youth-driven,
nonprofit, center that integrates youth's thoughts —ideas and opinions— and as
well as promotes reading, writing, books, language and the love of literature
among the Somali society. This organization views the culture of reading as an
important tool for eliminating the ignorance and cultivating the mental
capacity of human beings. To do so, Ifiye hosts
well-organized debates, discussions, book signing events, reading circles,
book-reviews and gathers book-lovers. Their efforts and initiatives worthy of
our appreciation.
ABABIYE
The
other wonderful works of our youth include the establishment of a center called
‘Ababiye’ that promotes Somali culture and literature. And it has
recently been launched its first cultural exhibition by Somali youth, in the
beginning of this year, at the city
of Beledweyn. Liibaan Abdulkadir is a local university
student and the founder of Ababiye. “We will expand this initiative
throughout the country” Liibaan told to the VOA.
Hal-Karaan
Reading and Writing Club
Since
its founding in 2009, Hal-Karaan Reading and Writing Club have been doing awesome
activities in the city of Burco, Togdheer. It was founded and funded by
like-minded Somali youth who believe that reading and writing are the best mind
feeding tools that has long been ignored by Somalis. Hal-Karaan provide
conducive platform for both writers and readers.
SOMALI YOUTH
VISION
Somali
Youth Vision (SYV) is one of the most successful youth centered organizations
operating in the country. SYV provides a platform for Somalia’s leading figures
including youth, women and politicians for the purpose of resolving and
eradicating the conflicts through discussion and dialogues. Since its
foundation, SYV hosted numerous events and dialogues with prominent
personalities in every actors of the society, but the recent one with the
president H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was a resounding success. Somali
Youth Vision’s activities are clear sign of how our youth are ready to rebuild
and uplift their own country.
Zahra Abdulkadir Arte
Zahra lives
in Kismaayo, she is a renowned social contributor dedicated to educate the
less-privileged children in her city for free of charges. What motivate her are
the smiles of those children, #UbaxiiRajada.
She is the kind of
people who can take this country forward.
Ali Ducale
Ali Ducale is a
notable photographer committed to discover the hidden beauty of the country. He
travels across the regions and cities of Somalia by capturing the magnificent
views of the country. His aim is to put love of the country in the hearts of
Somali diaspora [living in abroad] who know nothing about the latest editions
of Somalia and as well as the locals [who have the dream of leaving from their
country]. Mr Abdulle believes that he can make a positive change
through his camera!
Zahra Qorane Omar
Zahra Qorane is a
popular photographer born in Beledweyn. Educated and grew up in Mogadishu.
She narrates the untold beautiful stories of the Capital, Mogadishu. Her well
circulated pictures and stories of the ‘other’ Mogadishu remove despairs and
reinstate hope and confidence in the hearts of millions of Somalis around the
world. Thank you Zahra!
As a
citizen, I feel that it’s the responsibility of every one of us to support,
appreciate and encourage those youth for their valuable contribution in making
this country great again. To be honest, I never met with any (except one) of
them personally, but their good work captured my heart and they will be
imprinted on my mind forever. On behalf of all Somalis, I thank you for the
love and support, keep doing the good work! Love you so much!
Thanks Mowlid Ahmed Hassan
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