A Somaliland based aid worker, Ismail Mohamed Abdi (Ismail Yahye) has been recognized as one 300 excellent Humanitarian World Aid Workers for 2014. Ismail Mohamed Abdi who works as the Child Protection Coordinator at Save the Children International has been at the forefront for the Save Children’s child protection programs in Somaliland.
In last year’s World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on 19 August, Ismail was recognized on of the 300 excellent Humanitarian World Aid Workers for 2014 that carry out life-saving activities around the world, often in dangerous and difficult circumstances.
“I am extremely happy to see that many of the children who benefited from my efforts have good jobs and high positions both in the public and private sectors in Somaliland, and outside of Somaliland.” Said Ismail in article published in World Humanitrain Day official website.
worldhumanitarianday ran the story below on Ismail Yahye:
WHY DID YOU BECOME A HUMANITARIAN WORKER OR VOLUNTEER?
Kindness, compassion, love and wanting to help other human beings are my innate gifts from Allah. They are why I became a humanitarian worker at age 18.
When I was 5 years old, my mother passed away and, after that, I experienced various problems including separation from my family, child labour, as well as physical and emotional abuse. Later on, when was living in Hargeisa Children’s Home, I realised that many children are facing the same problems.
In light of this, I decided to help vulnerable people, especially children who have lost their parents and live in the same difficult situation that I experienced. I was hired by Christian Refugee Aid to be a volunteer health worker at Hargeisa Boys Home and Hargeisa Orphanage in 1984. At that time, I was 18 years old and I was one of the vulnerable children who were living in Hargeisa Boys Home. When I was a volunteer health worker, I got the opportunity to work with many foreigners who understand that humanitarian work is precious work to save the lives of vulnerable people.
WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR WORK?
Protecting vulnerable children and their families from abuse and violations, including physical and sexual abuse, and improving their lives by establishing sustainable child protection measures, systems and structures, is most rewarding part of my work.
Also, empowering children, enabling them to protect themselves, claim their rights and raise their voices to stakeholders. Seeing children have access to schools and other social services as result of my efforts rewards me too. I feel happy and relaxed when I see community members talking about the rights of the children or protecting them from abuse. I feel so happy when I see smiling children as a result of my little work.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF YOUR WORK?
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?
I have been working for Save The Children for almost 12 years, in various programs and projects, including Education in Emergency, Vocational Skills Training, Child Right Governance and Child Protection programme.
Currently, I am a Child Protection Coordinator. I coordinate activities to protect vulnerable children from all forms of child abuse through capacity building for local partners, the community, parents, and children as well as government institutions.
I regularly conduct supervisions and monitoring for child protection activities to make sure that children enjoy their rights in all settings (at home, in schools and in the community). I directly work with children to empower them through child-friendly sessions, trainings and meetings. I also support and coordinate child protection programmes in emergency response situations.
We reach most hard-to-reach vulnerable children in IDP Camps and we provide direct support such as: legal aid, medical care, psycho-social and counselling support for abused and neglected children. We provide family reintegration support for those separated from their families due to armed conflict or other circumstances.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED DURING YOUR WORK?
I am very proud to have been the first person to establish Child Rights Groups in schools to empower children, and help them understand their rights. I am also happy to have been the first person to establish Child Protection Units in police stations. Some of these initiatives were adopted by other organizations.
I am extremely happy to see that many of the children who benefited from my efforts have good jobs and high positions both in the public and private sectors in Somaliland, and outside of Somaliland.
Above all, I am very proud that my local community, government, friends – both national and international – honour, respect and appreciate my dedication and commitment.
