The Good News About Somalia Thread

[Hunguri]

Jacaylbro, and what's the serous sicknes condition of Abdillahi Yusuf got to do with this thread? Yeah, at least very fair in the politics thread. However, I dont know why its on such scale!

[Chimera]

Education has a Champion in Somalia

 

By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

November 11, 2007

 

JOWHAR, Somalia — A nation overwhelmed by civil war, flooding and, most recently, the threat of starvation might be forgiven for overlooking the back-to-school season.

 

But Abdulkhadir Wasuge has devoted his life to making sure his corner of Somalia never forgets. Over the last 14 years, Wasuge has emerged as a leading education advocate in this Horn of Africa country, one of many unsung heroes who have stepped up to fill the void left by the government's collapse in 1991.

As he does each year, Wasuge, 43, recently made the rounds in Jowhar, 60 miles north of Mogadishu, the capital, collecting enrollment figures, assessing teacher curricula and reminding parents and community leaders about the importance of putting children in school.

 

His Shabelle Educational Umbrella, which functions as a de facto school board, is largely responsible for rebuilding the region's education system, which has grown from a single schoolroom with 40 pupils in 1993 to 146 schools and 10,000 pupils.

 

"Education is the light," said Wasuge, a father of eight. "I want to make sure young people don't miss out."

 

He attributed his motivation to overcoming personal challenges as a child. A bout with polio at age 5 left him without use of his legs. "I've lived with a handicap myself, so I know what that's like," he said. "Lack of education is just another kind of handicap."

 

Much of the time he gets around town on a specially built four-wheel motorbike or in a wheelchair. But often he walks on his hands, protected by a pair of well-worn sandals, using a powerful upper body to go up steps and climb into cars without assistance.

 

Aid groups say his efforts have pushed the primary school enrollment rate to 24% in the Middle Shabelle region, which includes Jowhar. Though still relatively low, that rate is the highest in southern Somalia, where only about one in five children attends school.

 

"He's someone who never gets tired of working for what he's committed to," said Marian Abkow, education manager in the Jowhar office of the United Nations Children's Fund, or UNICEF.

 

Somalia's school system disintegrated in 1991, when the dictatorship of Maj. Gen. Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled and the country descended into clan-based civil war. Government institutions were the first to collapse; schools were ransacked and teachers fled the country.

 

Lack of education represents one of the country's biggest challenges as it tries to rebuild with a generation that can barely read or write. Drug addiction is high among young men, many of whom work for warlords and are paid in khat, a narcotic-like plant. Somalia has gone from one of Africa's most literate nations, with a rate of 60% in the 1970s, to one of the least, with about 25% today.

 

"This is going to have implications for generations," Abkow said.

 

Wasuge said he got involved in education after losing his job as an accountant for a sugar factory, which closed in 1990 amid mounting clan-related clashes. The Jowhar factory's closing left several thousand people unemployed and desperate. It was followed by a drought-related famine that killed hundreds of thousands. Wasuge and his wife lost their firstborn to disease before the boy turned 2.

 

"I was practically begging for food," he recalled.

 

In 1993, community leaders reopened a primary school and Wasuge found work teaching math. Over the years, he became more active in the school, eventually helping to establish the umbrella group, which organized the reopening of schools in Jowhar and surrounding villages. The group also established minimum academic standards, recruited teachers and raised money from foreign aid groups and local charities.

 

Wasuge became a fixture in the region, sometimes going door to door to convince parents, clerics and warlords of the importance of reopening schools.

 

"I felt the community needed me," he said.

 

Mindful of the challenges he sometimes faced, Wasuge launched a special class for disabled students, which he taught under a tree until funding was obtained in 2000 to build a classroom.

 

Likewise, he added adult- education classes after discovering how many adults missed the chance to attend school.

 

"When I was young, girls were just ignored," said Fatuma Ali Abdulle, 46, who sells gasoline from plastic drums in Jowhar's main market. She complained to Wasuge that her customers were defrauding her and she was helpless to stop them because she could not read and write.

"They would take 50,000 [shillings] in gas, but only write down 5,000," she recalled.

 

Wasuge enrolled her in one of 17 primary schools that cater to people older than 18.

"It was a little embarrassing at first," Abdulle said, "but now I can even figure out my profits."

 

The school system survives today on student fees of about $1 a month. Humanitarian groups such as UNICEF provide books, teacher training and money to build new classrooms. The U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, donated solar-powered radios so teachers can tune in to instructional programming. Somalian business owners and religious groups also provide funding.

 

The only government funding in the last 16 years came four years ago when the local warlord offered to pay teacher salaries at seven schools in the region. But the warlord, Mohammed Dheere, who is now Mogadishu's mayor, raised the money in part by taxing teachers' income.

 

Dheere, whose given name is Mohammed Omar Habeb, was ousted as a warlord last year by the Islamic Courts Union, which seized control of most of southern Somalia in June 2006.

 

The courts, which U.S. officials accused of having links to religious extremists and terrorists, took little interest in funding or taxing schools and instead focused on the schools' curriculum and social issues, Wasuge said.

 

On-air instruction was banned because the Islamists opposed distributing radios to young people, who might use them to listen to popular music. "They said it was forbidden under Islam," Wasuge said.

 

Islamists also ordered that boys and girls be separated and demanded that Wasuge cancel an inter-school sports competition in which boys and girls would play together. Wasuge ignored the order and held the contest anyway, even though he wound up arrested and briefly imprisoned by Islamist leaders. "I didn't want to disappoint the kids," he said.

 

Today his biggest challenge is Somalia's insecurity, which has displaced more than 325,000 people from Mogadishu this year. A U.N.-recognized transitional government, backed by Ethiopian troops, ousted the Islamists in December but continues to struggle against an insurgency consisting of Islamists and anti-government clans that are mounting almost daily attacks, including bombings and assassinations.

 

Many refugees have settled around Jowhar, where Wasuge is attempting to organize classes in displacement camps.

 

In addition, floods are destroying crops, leading aid groups to warn recently that more than 8,700 area children are malnourished and at risk of starving.

 

It's not surprising that early enrollment figures at some schools were down when classrooms reopened in late September. Horseed Primary School in Jowhar enrolled 150 children during the first week of enrollment, compared with 318 last year.

 

That's unacceptable to Wasuge. He has kicked into gear, launching public-awareness campaigns to boost figures. Local radio spots feature students showing off their math and reading skills.

 

He's pushing Somalia's transitional government and the regional governor to make school attendance compulsory.

 

He's even using Somalia's clan-based rivalries, which have been at the root of the nation's turmoil. Wasuge sometimes collects clan-based enrollment figures to create competition, warning one clan that a rival is doing a better job at educating its youths.

 

"If it will get kids back into school," Wasuge said, "we'll try whatever we can."

 

edmund.sanders@latimes.com

Source: LA Times

Link

[Chimera]

topic about Somali Media growth all over the country

[Chimera]

Somali Students are making progress in the US

 

New Immigrants in Minnesota: The Somali Immigration and Assimilation

 

Today more Somali students are attending schools with English as the language of primary instruction. More public schools must teach non-English speaking students in Minnesota. Furthermore, Somali parents and Mentors are stressing the importance of Education to the younger generation, and advising them to stay away from gangs,drugs and other crime related activities.

 

[*] Somali student enrollment is the third highest

compared to the Hmong and the Spanish speakers in Minnesota.[*]

 

[*]Somali student drop out rate(12.7%)

is higher than the Hmong students(5.9%)

but much lower than the Spanish students(23%)[*]

 

[*]Somali students outperform

the Hmong Chinese, the Cambodian

and Spanish students in Math.[*]

 

[*]Somali students reading profiency

of the English Language is the Highest

of all immigrant groups in Minnesota.[*]

 

Journal of Developing Societies -Kebba Darboe

[Chimera]

Somali electronic dictionary is made and designed by HALLTACO LTD one of Africa’s leading electronic handheld dictionaries, providing clients with electronic dictionaries. The company sells different electronic dictionaries in a different language that command impressive market share.

 

Our products serve to break down the language barriers by facilitating language acquisition, assisting in communication, and bringing our customers the best language tools for their favorite. Electronic dictionaries are a perfect fit for business people, tourists, professional interpreters and students, and are often essential for emigrants and immigrants.

 

HALLTACO LTD is committed to meeting requirements and creating total customer satisfaction with on-time performance, order accuracy and the highest quality of service. This is accomplished through our commitment to continual improvement of our people, our suppliers, and our processes. To survey and fully satisfy our customers' needs we have created a network of offices in various countries where more detailed information can be obtained. -Somadic

 

I could use one of those

[Fabregas]

 

very powerful

[-Nomadique-]

Good stuff alSumaale, I knew you would deliver. :cool:

[-Nomadique-]

Local Somalis help educate students in Minnesota, and Kenya

 

 

 

A Twin Cities nonprofit is taking on Somali education on two continents -- in Minnesota and in Africa. Generation for Change and Growth was started by Somali professionals concerned that Somali students were being set up for failure.

 

The Somali population in northern Kenya lags behind the rest of Kenya when it comes to education. When Somali refugees arrive in the Twin Cities, they have a hard time catching up.

 

Minneapolis, Minn. — Visit area mosques and you may find an interesting combination of sounds. There's the call for prayers. But these days, you may also hear something else -- kids typing away on computers.

 

Over the weekend, students play computer games, but during the week, the computers are used to finish homework and to supplement English and math skills learned in school.

 

computer labs at the cultural centers were supplied by a nonprofit organization called Generation for Change and Growth, or GCG. It's an organization founded by two Somalis educated in Kenya who now work at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

 

Mohamud Moallin is a medical technologist, and Ali Mahamud is a pharmacist. Though both have full-time jobs, they started the group with their own money and with the help of volunteers.

 

"We saw huge disparities here in the United States," says Mahamud. "We thought this might be due to the fact that there is no early exposure to education."

 

Many of the Somalis now in the Twin Cities once lived in Kenya. Moallin and Mahamud decided to attack the roots of the education issue, treating the problem both in Kenya and the U.S.

 

 

In Kenya, GCG volunteers literally help convince Somali parents to send their kids to school. Because Somalis in the area have been displaced from their own country, Mahamud says there is confusion within the community about whether the Kenyan government will support education for Somalis.

 

In Minnesota, GCG tries to establish a stronger support infrastructure for Somali high school and college students. They have tutors come to the computer labs in several different cultural centers. They've also set up a mentorship program where college students shadow local professionals.

 

Nadar Ali shadowed a doctor through GCG's mentorship program. Ali is a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in biochemistry.

 

Both of Ali's parents have a middle school education. While they were successful businesspeople in Kenya, their lack of English language skills prevented them from doing something similar here.

 

 

Ali says she has been motivated to do well in high school because her parents made education a priority.

 

"Though my mother didn't know how to help me out with math and science, she will sit next to me and make sure I take out the books, do the homework," Ali says.

 

Ali says many other East African immigrants do not have that kind of family support, which is why she is going to be one of GCG's tutors this fall.

 

Ali says many Somali parents have the mindset that it is the school's responsibility to educate their children, so they don't get involved. She is especially concerned about Somali youth who immigrate to America by themselves, without their parents.

 

 

Ali recently took the MCAT and hopes to be a doctor one day. While she herself wasn't a refugee, she is motivated by her memories of seeing Somali refugees in Kenya.

 

"They had a small hospital, and there's a long line of people standing just to see a doctor. There's a chance those people could come there five days, six days, and not see a doctor," she says. "And, they are really sick."

 

In his white lab coat, Dr. Neeraj Chepuri examines a wall covered in X-rays. Chepuri is a busy neuroradiologist. He interacts with patients, and is constantly being paged by other physicians, but he still has time to be a mentor with GCG.

 

In addition to showing a mentee medical procedures he's performing, Chepuri talks about the coursework, grades, and money needed for medical school. He thinks that information often comes as surprise to mentees.

 

 

Chepuri says by mentoring, he feels he's doing more than just giving back locally.

 

"It's also giving back to the world community, because these youth are probably going to wind up providing medical help and assistance back to Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia," says Chepuri.

 

Chepuri says there is a huge need for health care in East Africa, particularly because of recent natural disasters in the area such as a tsunami and famine.

 

"Rather than trying to bring everyone from East Africa to another country for health care, it seems like it would make sense to bring health care to East Africa," says Chepuri. "And it would make the most sense if it were people originally from the area, who have a desire to go back there."

 

Generation for Change and Growth's co-founder, Ali Mahamud, sees the impact of such mentorship in the way students' attitudes change. The evaluations they complete for the program convince him that because of GCG, they see more clearly what is possible.

 

"Although these kids are from very remote, war-torn regions, they still have dreams. They want to progress in life, and see a light at the end of the tunnel," says Mahamud.

 

Fifty students are currently involved in the Generation for Change and Growth in the Twin Cities. Though Mahamud, Moallin and other East African volunteers have been funding the nonprofit, they hope to receive money from grants to expand the organization in the future.

Source: listen to radio program here.

[Jacaylbaro]

Originally posted by Hunguri:

Jacaylbro, and what's the serous sicknes condition of Abdillahi Yusuf got to do with this thread? Yeah, at least very fair in the politics thread. However, I dont know why its on such scale!

Some members will find it a good news dee

[Hunguri]

Adigaa u horreeya kuwaas ayaan u gartay Baqdinta iskaddaa ninkani waxba kugu samyn maayee. Hargaisa kama hadlo umana soo socdo dee enough

[xiinfaniin]

 

To encourage Jimcaale iyo Raggiisa, i would suggest that you buy one of these electronic dictionaries.It's about $45 in Nariobi...send the money to your relatives so they can buy it.

[Buuxo]

Hope is still alive in these men,song of resistance. And many more that bringing change to their lives and their communities, All across somalia and abroad.

 

inta ay Godey, gaaladu fadhido, gam'i maayo oo gurmad iyo dagaal kama gaabsadoo waa iga go'aan!...

[Faarax-Brawn]

Originally posted by Buuxo:

Hope is still alive in these men,

song of resistance

. And many more that bringing change to their lives and their communities, All across somalia and abroad.

 

quote:

---

inta ay Godey, gaaladu fadhido, gam'i maayo oo gurmad iyo dagaal kama gaabsadoo waa iga go'aan!...

I can never seem to get enough of that clip, Thanks Buuxo walaal.

 

Nomadique,this was a fantastic idea, I am glad you have decided to show case the good side.

[Chimera]

Mogadishu University (MU): Young Women Scholarship Fundraising Luncheon an Overwhelming success

 

Monday, December 17, 2007

 

Mogadishu University in collaboration with Somali Intellectual Women’s Group in Nairobi hosted its first “Young Women Scholarship” fundraising luncheon on December 8, 2007 at Hilton Hotel in Nairobi. It marked the launching of MU national campaign targeting 1000 female student scholarships. The luncheon was attended by over 200 guests. Along with the Somali community in Nairobi, international community, Non governmental organizations and representatives from various UN agencies were present.

 

Due to the wide disparity between male-female student ratio, MU established a special scholarship for female students besides the general scholarship for all students. This scholarship “Young Women Leadership Scholarship” aims to empower women by offering scholarships to gifted female students at MU; female students who show excellence in their higher education. The scholarship is designed to produce competitive women at all levels of leadership and in the labor market.

 

Prior to the fundraising event, the organizing committee was able to raise 230 scholarships. Moreover, during the luncheon more than 70 full scholarships were raised covering the entire cost of study for 4 years. Each full 4 year scholarship costs $2000.

 

After lunch, Mogadishu University presented a praiseworthy short video about its achievements – in which the participants were truly captivated.

 

There were host of guest speakers that spoke at the luncheon, including, prominent speakers who expressed their support and commitment to this noble cause.

 

 

Last but not least, the keynote speaker Dr. Ali Sheikh Ahmed, President of Mogadishu University, took the stage. Dr. Ahmed reminded the audience the importance of women and mothers in our religion and society – especially how critical educated women are for the rebuilding of our war ravaged nation. He also reiterated that MU was established to educate the young generation and instill hope regardless of their present situation.

 

In conclusion, MU President called upon the people of Somalia, higher education institutions and international community to make women’s rights and their education a higher priority. And expressed his sincere gratitude to all those who participated and contributed in any capacity.

 

May Allah reward those who give for women's education

 

SOURCE:Mogadishu University, December 17, 2007-Hiiraannews

[Chimera]

Somali Football defies adversity

 

The Miracle worker Abdi Gaal

 

Good stories don't want to lose them, i might need them one day