AYOUB;826799 wrote: ^ Caalmadow is just part of Golis chain, isn't it? Yes, brother, the wider Golis chain is across the North. @Chimera, I'm sure it's centuries old at least. But the method in the photograph is more traditional; new cooperatives are being established and more modern practices are being implemented in local communities. Also, for those who do not think this is an area of investment or commercial production I would visit this blog of a brother who returned from Sweden to Arabsiyo to beekeep (He's got a great blog at somalihoney.com - Getting into beekeeping in Somaliland). Our homelands have Sidr trees that help bees produce rare honey that is sold for $200 - $1000 per kilo. You can read more here: http://www.somalihoney.com/search?updated-max=2012-02-28T21:51:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=14&by-date=false and here: http://www.sidrhoney.net. Unfortunately, the market is not well known but hopefully that will change soon. The potential of the country is there for those who can see it! The brother keeps his blog updated with lots of photos. Here are a few.

Buuraha golis iyo calmadow waa dhul barwaaqo ah. Beekeeping? I think that is another area of potential industrial production.

You are being far too generous with Group 1. These folks were odayaasha waxgarad iyo saladiinta madax-dhaqameed back in the day when I joined SOL. :-P

One of my favourite threads. Thank you for all who added, I especially liked the Carta songs (Eebow iyo kii Af Maymay: ). Ta dambe waa hees macaan. Soomaaliyaa, Soomaali baa leh - Cabdi Tahliil: Ninkii kala saar lahoow Ninkii kala sooc wadoow Ninkii si xuun uu fikiroow Haday taladii kuseegtoow Sidaad moodeeysay maahee War hooy Soomaaliyaa, Soomaali baa leh. :-)

The strength of our people is remarkable. Ilaahay ha u fudeeyo. "Six years ago I became a policeman, and in that time I have been hit by three improvised explosive devices. The shrapnel still lodged in my shoulder, groin and arm causes me no end of problems. But I feel lucky because many of my friends are dead. Al-Shabaab calls me from time to time to try and intimidate me and tell me to quit the force." Hussein Jiinow Afrah, 28. "I'm a porter at a maize mill and I have a wife and six children. I can't afford to send them to school on my salary, and unfortunately I cannot speak to you very long because I only get paid for each bag I carry. I get ten cents per bag so I have to keep working." Hussein Moalim Mahadi, 50. "I have had three wives and have 28 children. I'm a retired major in the TFG and now am a security officer in Villa Somalia. I was shot by an al-Shabaab sniper in the Villa Somalia compound in February 2011. The bullet is still in my neck, and it is hard for me to breathe when I lie down. The surgeon said I would lose my voice if he tried to remove the bullet." Major Abdi Abdullahi, 62. "I am a maize husker in a milling factory. I make $80 a month, and since my husband is unemployed I have to support my nine children on my salary alone. My dream right now is simply to hold onto my job and support my family even though the dust causes me allergy problems." Fatima Mohamud Mohammed, 40. "I live at the K7 camp for internally displaced people. We came from Lower Shabelle because of the drought and problems with al-Shabaab militants. I can't remember how long I have been here. Everyday at 11:00am I get in line for food, but sometimes when I get to the front there is nothing left. After the food line, I spend the rest of the day looking after my younger brothers and sisters. I'm in the middle of eight kids. When I grow up I want to be a mother." Fatima Abukara Abdi, 12.

Mashaa'allah, ma boorama baa sidaan ah? Wow, qurux weeye. Reer Awdal: hadal yar iyo hawl badan. Walee faan badan wax mataro.

Great work. The use of all animal byproducts and value added activities are key.

LOOL. 100% ciyaala suuqnimo.

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

Waxay igu tahay in filinkaan uu si fiican cadeyey sida ee noolaan geela sharafta leh ee Caluula. Runtii waa reer magaal, oo kaluun cuno, ma ka cabsadaan doonta! Geelow, sii dabaalo ee sii wad xariif nimada sidaan tusaale noqoni laheed geela oo dhan ee Soomaaliya. Kix Kix Kix. Yaab badanaa.

lol;29793 wrote: At last I heard wat i was affraid of, " I look Good".. and that did it.. LOL. Walee nimankaan waan ku qoslay. Soomaalidu waxay yidhaahdaan, "Nin is faanshay waa ri is nuugtay." Nasiibkaada hal maalin baad ku baratay; waqti badan ma kaa lumin.

Is this the Omar Company's site: http://www.ominco.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=35

Markaan Xamar joogay, waxaan xasuustaa roobab xoog leh oo ku sii da'i jirey magaaladaas. Caruurta wey ku ciyaari jireen, lakiin odayaasha baa roob iyo barwaaqo ilaahay ku mahad celiyey. Kuwa hadda wadanka joogo, waxaan ka codsanaa inay sawiro qaadaan oo ee soo bandhigaan. We take such common occurrences for granted where we are these days...

^^ Waa runtaa. Turkey has a successful model for assisting countries like Somalia. Not only with urgently needed aid but with economic, health, cultural and transportation links that act as force multipliers for development. This benefits both parties, and the Turks are to be commended.

^^Then waqtigaas baan sugaaya, saaxibow.

Very lovely photos. Thank you.

wyre;816395 wrote: He paid everything he had, does he deserve Kung-fu An old Greek proverb comes to mind: "Sea, fire and women. The three evils." :-P

Insha'allah, I hope to return soon. A visit within the next year and then a small scale manufacturing venture when feasible. Somalia/land are excellent opportunities at the moment, whether it be fisheries, frankincense, agriculture, or processing centres. Ideas abound. There is a palpable energy. Leadership is the Achilles' heel. But while there is risk, the opportunity to live in your homeland, contribute and help develop the country can be far greater. Best of luck to those who venture forth! BN

LST - what is this inside information that you hold? Who is next? Please share. If true, it would be good news.

Thought I would share today's New York Times article on the New Mogadishu. Very uplifting, and nice to see recognition for this positive news in the int'l press. ********** A Taste of Hope in Mogadishu By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN Published: April 3, 2012 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Up until a few weeks ago, all visitors who landed at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu were handed a poorly copied, barely readable sheet that asked for name, address — and caliber of weapon. No more. Now visitors get a bright yellow welcome card that has no mention of guns and several choices for reason of visit, including a new category: holiday. Outside, on Mogadishu’s streets, the thwat-thwat-thwat hammering sound that rings out in the mornings is not the clatter of machine guns but the sound of actual hammers. Construction is going on everywhere — new hospitals, new homes, new shops, a six-story hotel and even sports bars (albeit serving cappuccino and fruit juice instead of beer). Painters are painting again, and Somali singers just held their first concert in more than two decades at the National Theater, which used to be a weapons depot and then a national toilet. Up next: a televised, countrywide talent show, essentially “Somali Idol.” Full Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/africa/somalis-embrace-hope-and-reconstruction-in-mogadishu.html Photo slideshow (not sure how to upload): http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/04/03/world/africa/20120405-SOMALIA.html?ref=africa#1

Masha'allah. Hope to visit the area soon, IA.

Hambalyo!

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. Deepest condolences to his family. The former President has certainly left a mark and legacy on the nation.

Haa, Alhamdulillah. Much needed sabbatical from the effects of SOL. It's interesting to observe how the old timers have matured, while an entirely new crop of single-minded, stubborn, and passionate youth have surfaced. It's quite the circle of life. :-)

AUN. I'm no fan of Shabaab but we should not treat the dead, Muslim or not, in such a fashion. Give them a proper burial and move on.