Inspire! - Portrait of an inspiring Somali youth

FATIMA ABDI ALI

Fatima Abdi Ali, aged 23, lives in Mogadishu. She one of a very few young women activists pushing for progress for Somali youth and also Somalia as a whole. She has been leading social works for 3 years in Mogadishu. This led her to became Ambassador to Somali youth nominated by Nicolus Kay, former  UN ambassador to Somalia.  " I enjoy volunteerism" Fatima told me in an interview.

On Nov. 1, 2015, she became one of the ten most prominent youths in Africa and received her award  in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, due to her talent and hard work.  " -Being a young person in Somalia today is a golden opportunity," says Fatima, who is also political student at City University of  Mogadishu.

 She has attended international conferences about youth, women empowerment as well as public policy in and outside of the country. " -I want to say that every country has young people like me - they should be appreciated. We need to encourage youth everywhere to start acting, to start doing great things to create the world we want," says Fatima.

Prior to her leadership, she served two years as president of student government at City University. She is also one of the founders of Somali Universities Student Association, an organization that works in student affairs in Somalia. She later became the Chairperson of this organization and served two years. " -This has broadened my outlook" says Fatima.

 She is a good writer and blogger of local and international issues, She has written a fascinating book entitled, Isticmaal Awoodahaaga "Use your powers" that was released Mogadishu International Book Fair, which held annually. She has also written many interesting, inspirational- and great articles in both the Somali and English languages such as Ciidanimo ma ceeb bay noqotey "Is it shame to be Soldier", Tiigsan maayo Tahriib "My ambition is not illegal migration", Patience pays and Thanking our young change maker. These articles are all published on local and international media.

To sum up, Fatima is a proud, strong, fearless, young woman. " I have an ambition to be a leader, I believe that change is needed from anyone who wants to restore hope to a disintegrated society," Fatima says. She is now part of Somali Youth Vision, an organization that works on youth issues, and is currently working with an independent Committee of  Local borders and Federalism.

                                  

                           Written by: Mohamud Shawul Abdirahman

                            Edited by: Rick Boychuk