Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs It is a specialized, independent, non-profit media network that observes and follows up the Somali humanitarian scene
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By Abdirisak Mohamud Tuuryare
MOGADISHU — In 2009, a young boy named Ismail Hashim arrived at Badbado camp in Mogadishu, fleeing a devastating drought in southern Somalia. He and his family had nothing but the clothes they wore and an uncertain future ahead.
“We left everything behind—just to survive,” he recalls.
The camp, crowded and harsh, became his new reality. But amid the chaos and struggle, Ismail found determination. He watched, learned, and began to dream—not just for himself, but for his community.
Now, more than a decade later, Ismail has transformed adversity into ingenuity. He designs and builds charcoal cookers with three fire chambers—practical tools that allow families to prepare multiple meals at once. It’s a solution born from hardship, but powered by hope.
“Life pushed me to be creative,” he says, his hands darkened by soot. “I didn’t have a choice. I had to find a way to survive.”
His cookers have gained popularity in the camp and among low-income households across the area. Affordable, efficient, and designed with empathy, they reflect his deep understanding of daily needs.
Forced to drop out of school due to poverty, Ismail never gave up on learning. He taught himself by doing, by failing, and by persevering.
“I couldn’t afford school fees,” he explains. “But I knew I had something to offer—with my hands and my mind.”
With time, he refined his craft—and began teaching others. Today, Ismail mentors and employs a group of young boys from the camp, passing on the skills that once helped him.
“They help with welding and assembling. If I grow, they grow too,” he says.
But Ismail’s ambition doesn’t stop with handmade stoves. He dreams of building a full-scale factory to produce gas cookers and create employment for Somali youth. His vision is clear—but resources are limited.
“The biggest obstacle is access to equipment and technology. Without proper tools, it’s hard to scale up,” he says. “But with support, I could transform how we cook in Somalia.”
Ismail doesn’t ask for charity—he asks for opportunity.
“I don’t want handouts. I want training, machines, and access to markets. That’s how I’ll grow. That’s how I’ll help others.”
He also urges young Somalis to think twice before taking dangerous migration routes to Europe.
“This country needs you,” he says. “I believe in Somalia. It’s a land that gave me pain—but also purpose. I’m not leaving it behind.”
For Ismail, innovation isn’t just about invention—it’s about survival, dignity, and building a future where young people don’t have to choose between hunger and hope.
His journey, from a displaced child to a self-taught innovator, is proof that even in the harshest environments, resilience can flourish—and dreams can be forged in fire.
Source: SMN Origin: view original
