Blogging Somalia's Untold Stories with One Blog at a Time

Most of us take mobility for granted because we either don’t know how it feels to be physically challenged or we are not aware that an increasing number of disabled people have difficulty with activities that are part of our daily life. Life can be tough and traumatic for those whom disability strikes in early childhood, especially in a war-torn country like Somalia, and a catastrophe for those who cannot cope with such an eventuality. Featured in this article are stories of three extraordinary, physically challenged young men who, despite the unbearable difficulties, managed to achieve their dreams. Each one of them has different and unique story to tell. During their convocation ceremony, their photos went viral on social media and because of that they received messages of congratulations and solidarity from Somalis around the world. I decided to meet them in person and write their stories in their own words. Like many other people affected by the civil war in Somalia, ...

A field trip with UNICEF and the European Union on the joint urban water project It was not until I travelled to Boroma and Tog Wajaale that I realized just how much I had taken for granted one of the most basic yet most valuable resources in life – water. As a UNICEF Voices of Youth blogging intern, I had the privilege of travelling with a team from UNICEF and the European Union to see how their joint project on urban water delivery is coming along. The destination, Boroma and Tog Wajaale, are two of the biggest urban centres in Somaliland. On our way to Borama, we passed small villages and made stops to talk to residents. One of them was a young boy who hadn’t washed himself for a week because there wasn’t enough water go around. He was covered in dust. Then there was a young girl, her small frame dwarfed by the jerrycan on her back. Also a mother, who spends 6 to 9 hours a day fetching water, carrying 30 to 40 liters of water on her head. When I asked one villager abou...