Somali Faces

Cataloguing the Somali people across the world. Join the journey. No need to come to us, we will come to you!

[somalifaces]

You're Going Where?' is an inspiring travel documentary series by Mohammed Ibrahim Shire, highlighting epic landscapes and unforgettable cultures, to the often trying times that come with visiting unknown and often misunderstood destinations. 'You're Going Where' chronicles the positive side of regions and cultures unknown to the rest of the world. Africa has a familiar outward narrative when it comes to non-Africans, a narrative of poverty, famine, war and corruption. It's an unjustified image that has unfortunately overshadowed the beauty of this continent, its epic landscapes, long history and vibrant cultures. This documentary aims to counteract the negative image by showcasing the Africa you rarely see. The first series will highlight the cultures, sites, landscapes of the Horn of Africa, never captured before.

[somalifaces]

"I stopped going to dugsi the day my father was murdered. I now help my mother whatever she needs me to do. I make sure that she doesn't feel sad all the time. When she used to make us pancakes in the morning before we go to dugsi, she was all happy, but now I see her sad face, and she doesn't know that I'm watching. I wish she would be happy again. I wish my father was here. I miss him because when he was with us, everyone was happy."

(Mogadishu)

#WeAreAllEqual

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

"Waan joojiyey dugsigii aan dhigan jiray isla maalintii la dilay aabbahay, hadana waxaan caawiya hooyaday si aanay u dareemin murugo badan.Markii hore hooyo iyadoo faraxsan ayey canjeerada noosamaynjirtay maalinkasta ka hor inta aanan aadin dugsiga laakiin hada waan arka in aanay faraxsanayn mana oga in aan fiiriyo, waa jeclaan laha in ay faraxsansanaanto markasta, waan jeclaan laha in aabbahay nala joogo, waayo marki uu noolaa qofkastoo  nagamid ah wuu faraxsanaan jiray."

(Muqdisho)#KuligeenWaynuSimanahay

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

[somalifaces]

"Nothing is harder for me than hiding my tears and true feelings to my children. My children refuse to go outside since their father was burned alive. My oldest loved playing football, but now, he refuses to leave my side, thinking that others will get him like how they got his father, he is afraid. I keep telling him that we are safe and he has nothing to worry about but deep in my heart, I know I’m telling him lies, and he knows that. As his mother, I must protect them even if it’s from the reality. My daughter wakes up crying in the middle of the night because she saw her aunts and relatives crying and saw droves of people visiting us. What's worse is that someone showed her the picture on the internet of her father's badly-burned body. I feel hopeless, but I’ve to stay strong for them and tell them that things are okay and everything is normal."

(Mogadishu) #WeAreAllEqual

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

"Majirto wax ka adag in aad ka qariso caruurtaada inaad oyeyso ama dareenkaga dhabta ah tusto. Ilaa markii la dilay aabbahood caruurtaydu way diideen in ay banaanka u baxaan. Wiilka ugu wayn wuxuu jeclaa banoonida ciyaarteeda laakiin hada wuu diiday in uu dhinacayga ka tago, wuxuu ka fakaraya markasta wixii ku dhacay aabbihii in isagana ku dhici karaan waanu cabsanaya. Waxaan si joogto ah ugu sheega in aanu joogno meel nabad ah wax laga  cabsoodana aysan jirin, laakiin xaqiiqda qalbigayga kujirta waa ka duwantahay taa aan u sheegayo. Hadana anigoo ah hooyadii waa in aan dhawro nabad qabkiisa, Hadda gabadhaydu sida u joogto ayey toosaysa habeenkii xili danbe iyadoo ooyeysa, sababto ah waxa aragtay dad qarabada ah oo ooynaya markii dilku dhacay, sidoo kale waxaa nasoo booqda dad badan. Mida ugu daran waa iyadoo aragtay sawir internet oo ah abbaaheed markii la gubay. Waxaan dareema awood la’aan, laakiin waa in aan ku iraahdo iyaga dhibaato majirto waxkasta waa wanaagsanyihiin."

(Muqdisho) #KuligeenWaynuSimanahay

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

[somalifaces]

"I was with my daughter on the outskirts of Mogadishu when it happened. I was awoken by the sound of my daughter screaming and crying, and she kept repeating, ‘father, father, Ahmed has been murdered’. We immediately rented a car and went straight to where his body lay. As I’m blind, I couldn’t see his state, so I used my hands and touched his body which was still relatively warm, cried silently and kissed him on his forehead. We then brought him to Erdogan hospital. What really saddened me is that the ones that murdered my son were my neighbours. I know they weren’t happy with my grandson marrying their daughter and I remember the distinct words of the girl’s mother when she said she rather have her daughter die then being married to a dog, a sub-human. My grandson kept repeating that he is a Muslim, a good person, that they were in love and that if she was going to reject him, at least not reject him because he belonged to a different ethnicity or tribe. The girl’s paternal uncles tried to intervene, and they tried to legitimise the marriage so that the young couple could build a happy family, but the girl’s mother refused. As the girl’s paternal family gathered to solve the issue and reject the mother’s racist argument however the mother of the girl became so enraged at the thought that the elders would rule against her and her daughter marrying one of the low minorities that she took preemptive action to derail it. She organised a lynch mob and burned Ahmed alive. What evil must have they decided upon to kill an innocent man, a father of 12 who has never hurt a fly and only wanted the best. We are all Somalis, and we shouldn't discriminate against each other. All men and women are created equal. God doesn't look at how you look like but at your level of faith and heart. I fear for the well-being of the many children he had left behind, but now that you (Somali Faces) are raising funds for the family, I want to thank you and the people that have donated on behalf of my family for your generous support. We are simple people, never troubled anyone and we don’t have much, but we are grateful."

(Mogadishu)

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

“Gabartayda ayaan la joogay dhanka Ceelasha markii ay dilku dhacay. Waxaa aan ku toosay qayladeeda iyo oohinteeda, waxaynay ku celcelinaysay, ”Aabbe, aabbe, Axmed waa la dilay, Axmed waa la dilay.” Markiiba baabuur ayaan ijaarannay, waxaan tagnay goobtii maydkiisu yaallay. Anigu maadaama oo aanan indho qabin, ma arkayn xaaladdiisa, sidaas darteed waan taabtay jirkiisa oo weli sii diirran. Hoos inta aan u ooyey ayaan madaxa ka dhunkaday. Markaas ayaan u qaadnay cisbiyaalka Erdogan. Dadka falkan geystay, deris ayaan nahay, taas ayaa murugo badan igu haysa. Waan ogaa in aanay ku farxin guurka wiilka aan awowga u ahay iyo gabartooda dhex maray. Waxaanan xasuustaa ereyo ay tiri hooyada gabarta dhashay oo u dhignaa in ay jeclaan lahayd in gabarteeda ay dhimato intii ay nin jareer oo ey oo kale ah guursan lahayd. Wiilka aan awowga u ahay wuxuu ku celcelin jirey inuu yahay qof fiican oo muslim ah, gabartana ay is jecel yihiin, haddii ay gabarteeda u diidaysana, aanay madaame jareer yaha dartii ugu diidin ee ay sabab kale ugu diiddo. Gabarta adeerradeed ayaa soo dhex galay xaalada oo isku dayey in ay guurka ansixiyaan si labadaan qof farxad ugu noolaadaan, laakiin hooyada gabadha dhashay  ayaa diidday. Markii ay aragtay in gabarta adeerradeed iyo tolkeed ay arrintaas wadaan waa xanaaqday  kadibna  falkan bay diyaarisay. Markaas ayay burcad u adeegsatay dilkii Axmed oo nolosha lagu gubay. Sidee qof dhan noloshiisa looga jari karaa, nin shaqaysta oo masuul ka ah 12 qof oo kale, weligiina aan wax dhibaato ah geysan. Dhammaanteen Soomaali baan nahay, in la is takoorana ma aha wax quruxbadan. Ilaahay agtiisa waa loo siman yahay, rag iyo dumarba. Ilaahay ma fiirinayo wejigaaga laakiin wuxuu eegayaa iimaankaaga iyo qalbigaaga. Waan u ducaynayaa carruurta badan ee uu ifka kaga tegay. Axmed wuxuu ahaa nin shaqaysta, weligiis cid muu tuugsan nolosha reerkiisana isaga ku filna dadka kale masakiintana ah wax tari jiray maanta caruurtiisi ma awoodi karaan in ay helaan intii aabbahood ka heli jireen. Hadda maadaama idinka (Somali Faces) aad bilowdeen qaadaankan aad u uruurinaysaan dadkii uu Axmed ka tegay ka dhintay, waxaan rabaa in aan u mahad naqo cid kasta oo wax ku darsata. Dad masaakiin ah ayaan nahay, wax dhib ahna ma geysanno. Annaga waxba ma haysanno laakiin haddana Ilaahay ayaa mahad leh."

(Muqdisho)

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

[somalifaces]

"We buried him yesterday, and hundreds of people attended his burial. We also received condolences from many people, and in a way, this makes me a little happy because it shows that people care even if it's through words. One thing that I loved about him is that he never used to say no. He gave us what we wanted even though he had lots of responsibilities towards his family and his community. At times, my children ask where their father is. The older ones somehow understand even though it's hurting them but I really don't know how to explain to the younger ones, especially his 3-year-old daughter who keeps asking for her father. Every time they ask me, I picture the moment that they burned him alive, what thoughts must have been racing through his mind for when his own people killed him because he looked different. I've barely eaten since it happened and the grief is so unbearable that I can no longer cry. I've cried too many times. I ask the community and every good person out there to send prayers and that God has mercy on his soul."

(Mogadishu)

Please donate and share: https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

"Axmed waxaa la aasay maalintii shalay, boqolaal dad ah kasoo qaybgalay aaskiisa, sidoo kale waxaa nasoo gaaray tacsi nooga timid dad tiro bada, waana mid  niyad wanaag I gelisay maadama dadku ka xumaadeen sidii wax u dhaceen inkasto ay hadal uun tahay ilaa hada aan ficil jirin. Waxyaabaha aan  ku jeclaa Axmed kuna xasuusto waxaa kamid ahaa weligii imuu oran MAYA, Inkastoo masuuliyad dhanka qoysaskiisa iyo bulshada ahiba saarnayd hadana wuxuu nasiin jiray waxkastoo aan u bahanahay. Markasta, caruurtaydu waxay  i waydiinayaan halkuu jiro aabbahood, midka ugu roon  sidaa wax u dhaceen wuu yara  fahmi kara inkastoo murugo  iyo qalbi xanuun ku keentay, laakiin ma garanayo sidii aan u fahansiin laha kuwa yaryar, khaasatan gabar 3 jir ah hadana si joogta ah ii waydinaysa aabbo aawey. Markee ay su’aashaas i waydiiyaan, hooyo aabbo aaway, aniguna waxaan dib u xasuustaa isla wakhtigii ay nolosha ku gubayeen, iyo wuxuu dareensana madaame dadkiisa ay dileen midabtakoori awgeed. Cuntaba igama daadegayso sidii geeridu noogu dhacday, murugada iyo xanuunka waa mid aan si fudud uga gudbi karin mana ooyi karo, in badan baan ooyey!  Waxaan bulshada ka codsanayaa  qofkastoo wacan inuu usoo duceeyo in ilaahay u naxariisto ugu deeqo Axmed."

(Muqdisho)

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

[somalifaces]

His name was Ahmed Mukhtar Salah.

Somali Faces has been following the past couple days one of the most horrendous crimes that we came across. An innocent man, a father and a contributing member to society, was beaten, stabbed and burned alive by a lynch mob. As he breathed his last breath, they ruthlessly kicked him. His crime? Because his nephew who belonged to a minority group (Somali Bantu) married a girl from one of Somalia's so-called ‘noble’ clans against the wishes of the girl's parents. According to those who knew him,  Ahmed was one of the kindest men, someone who couldn’t hurt a single fly. He was an entrepreneur,  extremely proud of his small little garage and worked hard by putting food on the table for his family of 12. His youngest child is barely 3 months, and now they are robbed of their loving father, son and husband.

Far too long have we witnessed the systematic persecution of Somalia’s minority groups and this has to stop. We have time and time again highlighted their plight and presented their personal stories of the abuse and suffering that they have unjustly suffered. A man, a fellow human being has been wrongly killed, and his killers have robbed his 12 children of their father and breadwinner. Somali Faces is raising critical funds for his family who no longer have a breadwinner. Although we can never replace their pain and grief, we can try to alleviate it by making sure that they can rebuild their lives, slowly. Let’s join hands and help out his family and contribute with whatever we can. See the GoFundMe link below.

Somali Faces will also be raising further awareness on the plight of Somalia's minority groups by showcasing their personal stories.

#WeAreAllEqual

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

Waxa la oran jirey Axmed Mukhtaar Saalax.

Somali Faces ayaa u kuur gashay qaabkii u dhacay  dhacdadan argaggaxa leh maalmihii u dambeeyey. Nin aan waxba galabsan, aabbo shaqaysta, bulshadiisana sumcad ku dhex leh ayaa nolosha lagu gubay isaga oo dhaawac mindi qaba. Fal ay gaysteen koox soo weerartay ka horna u gaystay jidh dil sidaasna naftiisu ku waayey! Muxuu danbi ah  ee galabsaday?  

Sababta naftiisa looga qaaday waa wiil u adeer yahay  oo guursaday gabar waalidkeed u arkaan in qabiilkeedu kiisa ka sarreeyo. Sida ay sheegeen dadkii aqoonta u lahaa marxuumka, Axmed waxa uu ahaa qof aad u naxariis badan aan cidna dhib u gaysan jirin intii uu noola. Nin xoogsada ku qanacsan shaqadiisa, hadana ku quudiya reerkiisa oo ka koobnaa 12 qof. Ilmihiisa ugu yari waxa uu jiraa 3 bilood, waa reer aan dib u arki doonin wiilkoodi, aabbahood, iyo saygoodu  ay jeclaayeen.

Muddo aad u dheer  waxa aynu markhaati ka nahay tacaddiyada loo gaysto dadka laga tirada badan yahay  Soomaaliya, waana fal ay tahay in laga hor tago.  Markale wakhti ayeynu hayna  wax lagaga  qabano karo dhibtaas hadana  ku soo bandhigno dhacdooyinka noocan oo kale ah  ee sida arxan darada ah loogu dulmiyo dadka Axmed oo kale ah. Waa aabo, waa qof bani’adam adigoo kale ah gacan ka xaqdarani dishay, maantana ifka uga tagay 12 caruura, sidaas darteed Somali Faces iyadoo kaashanaysa qofkasta jecel inuu caawiyo qoyskan waxay  caawimo  u fidinaysa qoyskii Axmed ka dhintay oo xalad adag lasoo deristay maantana  aan haysan cid halkiisi u buuxin karta.

Inkastoo aynaan  waxba ka bedeli karin murugada iyo xanuunka geeridaasi ku keentay qoyskaas, waxaynu u qaban karna in aynu ka caawino in ay noloshooda dhaqaale dib usoo dhistaan. Aynu u gurmano qoyskan, gacan walalnimo u fidino, aynu u hurno wax kasta oo aynu heli karno. Ka firi faahfaahinka halkan GoFundMe.

Sidoo kale Somali Faces waxa ay soo bandhigi doontaa sheekooyin kale oo arrimahan la xiriira.

#KuligeenWaynuSimanahay

https://www.gofundme.com/weareallequal-justice-for-ahmed

[somalifaces]

"A lynch-mob brutally murdered my husband because we belonged to the 'wrong clan' and his nephew married a girl from one of the so-called ‘noble’ clans. What I still don’t understand is what crime my late husband committed. Two young people fell in love, but one of them belonged to one of the ‘wrong' clans. They wanted to be together and become a family, so my husband sought the permission from the girl’s family on behalf of his nephew. He didn't influence or force them; it was their choice as two mature people who loved one another, have been in a relationship for years and want to start their own family. Both families agreed, and the young couple became a family. Everyone was happy, except the mother of the girl. What happened next shattered our happy world. My husband was a kind man, a loving father to his 12 children and an amazing husband. He had a small little garage that he was proud of and he worked day and night to put food on the table. One day, whilst he was driving in his case, an angry lynch mob approached him, stabbed him and burned him to death. As he was crying for help, they ruthlessly kicked him as he breathed his last. Wasn’t he a human being? All he ever did was build a happy home for two lovers? Who decides who is from the right clan and wrong clan? In front of God, we are all equal. No human being is superior or inferior to any other human being. How do I tell my children that their father was killed in a hate crime and that they too can be targetted once they grow up?"

(Mogadishu)

"Koox iswadata ayaa si arxan daran u dishay ninkaygi sababtoo ah waxaanu ka dhalanay qabiil la yaso, maadama  wiil adeer u yahay ah  guursaday gabar kasoo jeeda mid kamid ah qabiilada u haysta in ay naga mudanyihiin,  ilaa hada maan fahmin sababta iyo danbiga uu galay ninkaygi hadana sabab u noqotay  in la dilo! Waxaa is jeclaaday laba dhalinyaro ah, laakiin mid kamid ah kasoo jeeda qabiiladaas loo arko kuwo aan wacnayn, waxay doorteen in ay wada nolaadaan, qoys noqdaan, marka ninkaygu  wuxuu qoyska  gabadhu ka dhalatay ugu tagay si ay ugu hibeeyaan gabadha wiilka adeerka u yahay isagoo ka wakiil ah. Masuul kamuu  ahayn isbarashadoodi,  samayna kumuu lahayn, waa go’aan ay lahayeen labadan qof anagana hawl noo taala ma ahayn laba qof oo qaangaar ah jacaylka dhexdooda imanaya , iyagaa is doortay, is jeclaaday, muddo sannado ah xiriir lahaa, hadana doonaya in ay qoyskooda dhistaan gurina yagleelaan. Labadii qoys waa ku heshiiyeen, inantiina waa loo hibeeyey wiilkii, lamanihiina sidaasay ku noqdeen marwo iyo ninkeedi, dhamaan waa lagu farxay qoyska cusub, marka laga reebo gabadha hooyadeed. Kadib waxaa dhacay arrin xanuun badan, in aanu wayno farxadii aanu aduunkan ku haysanay, ninkaygu wuxuu aahaa nin naxariis badan, aabbo jecel caruurtiisa oo ah 12 caruur ah. Wuxuu laha meel geerash yar ah, har iyo habeenba wuu shaqaynayey si uu qoyskiisa u baahi tiro quutal daruuriga qoyskiisa miiska u saaro.  Maalin isagoo hawshiisa iska wata, waxaa soo weeraray koox xanaaqsan oo dhanka gabadha ka socday, mindi bey la dhaceen kadib nolosha ku gubeen ila naftu ka baxaysay. Isagoo ku qaylinaya in la caawiyo, hadana iyagu si bilaa naxariis ah u garaacayeen ilaa intii noloshiisa ugu danbaysay ee naftu ka baxaysay. Miyaanu qof bani’adam ah ahayn?  Intaas oo dhan wuuxu rabay wanaag  iyo in uu dhiso qoys lamaane isjeclaaday ? Yaa doorta in aad noqoto qabiilka wacan ah iyo midka xun? Ilaahay agtiisa, waynu simanahay, qofna qof kama qiimo badna kamana qabiil wacna. Murugada iigu xanuunka badan, hada, waa sidii aan  ugu sharixi lahaa  caruurtayda in abahood loo dilay  sababtoo ah qabiilka ay ka dhasheen awgeed,iyaguna halistaas ku jiraan marka ay  qaangaaraan?"

(Muqdisho)

[somalifaces]

“I lost my right-eye at the age of 7, and I’m still grateful to God for still being able to see, even though it’s partial blindness. Most of my class-mates are entirely blind, having lost their sight and they use me to describe things for them whereas I use others who still have both their eyes to help me cover my limitations. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if you could rely on others who God has blessed with more things in life instead of envying them?”

(Mogadishu)

“Qaybta araga ishayda midig waxaan waayey markii da’adaydu ahayd 7-jir, hadana markasta ilaahay waxaan ugu mahad celiya in aan wax arki karo. Inkasto aan dhinac ka ahay qof indho la’a, hadana ardayda aanu isku fasalka nahay waa kuwo araga naafo ka ah dhamaantood. Maadama aysan waxba arki karin anigay ii waydiiyaan in aan u sharaxo waxyaabo kala duwan, aniguna waxaan sii su’aala kuwa ay u badqabaan labadoodi indhood meelaha anan si wacan u arki karin. Aduunku soo goob wacan ma noqdeen hadii aad ku tiirsanaan lahayd dadka ilaahay ku manaystay waxyaabo badan halkii aad iyaga xaasidi lahayd?”

(Muqdisho)

[somalifaces]

Do you want to gain experience in storytelling, are passionate about travelling, possess a DSLR camera and know how to ask the right questions? Somali Faces is expanding its team! We are recruiting a number of volunteer contributors to join our family and mission. If you are passionate about storytelling and want to make a difference, then we might have the right opportunity for you. If you are interested, send us an email: [email protected]

Ma jeceshay in aad korodsato, xirfada soo tebinta sheekooyinka, socdaalku ama safarku maka mid yahay waxyaabaha aad xiisayso, ma leedahay kaamarada DSLR  iyo su’aalaha ku haboon waydiimaha? Hadaba  markaan waa suurtagal  in aad fursadaas ka hesho Somali Faces, kooxda SF aad kamid noqoto.  Hadii aad  xiiso gooni ah u qabto soo tebinta sheekooyinka, isla markaana aad rabto in aad isbedel ku samayso aqoontaada iyo waayo-aragnimadada, waxaa suurtagal ah in aad SF ka hesho jaaniskii kugu haboona adiga.  Sidaas darteed codsigaaga email noogu soodir ciwaanka halkan hoose ku qoran: [email protected]

[somalifaces]

"The biggest injustice that I’ve ever faced came from my own clan. They say Somalis are clan-orientated and your clan is your support system but yet you can sometimes be treated wrongly by your own clan members. I was a high-school student before the civil war erupted in 1991. I was based in Baidabo. In 1993,  I moved to Galgaduud. I then opened a shop there. The sad thing that I encountered initially was that some segments of the town's population were extremely superstitious. They had this customary tradition called Heer and I didn’t adhere to it because some aspects of it were ridiculous to me, so I ignored it. To punish me and adhere to the customary tradition, they tied me to a tree to teach me a lesson. Only where I accepted their tradition did they release me. Since I was on my own, I was forced to accept it. If you want to change the mindset of some of the people or want to show them a different way, you will encounter lots of opposition, especially from your clan. There is nothing worse than clan-based customary law."

(Balanbale)

"Cadaalad daradii iigu xumayd  waxaan kala kulmay qabiilkayga, waxaa la yiraahdaa Soomaalidu waa dad qabiilku ku waynyahay, tolkaada garab ku noqonaya, laakiin hadana marmar si xun bay kula dhaqmayaan qabiilkaaga in ka mid ah. Waxaan ahaa arday dhigta dugsiga sare ka hore intii aanu dhicin dagaalkii sokeeye 1991. Kadib  1993 waxaan u guuray gobolka Galgaduud, markaas kadib  waxaan isku dayey  in aan furto meherad dukaan ah, markaas hawshaas bilaabay waxii iigu darnaa een la kulmay wuxuu ahaa in la ii sheegay in aan raaco xeer dhaqameed ka jira qabiilkayga dhexdiisa ay ku dhaqmaan, anigu taas ma yeelin sababto ah wax quman ilama ahayn. Si ay diidmada aan diiday igu ciqabaan iguna khasbaan xeerkooda waxay igu xireen geed si ay i baraan casharo ku saabsan dhaqankan. Marka aan aqbalo xeerkaas ayey  isii dayndoonaa, Markaas kadib waxaa la igu khasbay in aan aqbalo, hadii aad doonayso in aad fikir ama dhaqan u sheegto dadka  ama rabto in aad tusto jidkale, waxaad la kulmaysa diidmo farabadan siiba qabiilkaada. Xeer qabiil wax ka xun ma jiro."

(Balanbale)

[somalifaces]

"I’m a milk seller. In the morning, I milk our goats and then travel to the nearest town/city to sell it, fresh and sweet. I have regular clients and my goats’ milk is the best in the area. I have four beautiful daughters, each one has her own unique character. My youngest is quite silent and very smart. One day, as I was trying to sell my goat milk to the nearest town, heavy rain and storm started pouring, I haven’t seen anything like it. It felt like the end of times. I rushed back to my home as my daughters were at home. I left my home that morning with 4 healthy daughters and in the afternoon when I returned, only 3 survived with the youngest not surviving the tropical storm. My heart hasn’t recovered ever since. Now I’m afraid to leave the house thinking that another tropical storm will descend on us again."

(Lughaya) #CycloneSagar

"Waxaan ka ganacsada caanaha, subaxii waxaan lisa riyahayga kadib waxaan u socdaala magalaada ama tuulada igu dhow si aan ugu iibgeeyo caanaha. Waa caana macaan oo nadiif ah, waxaan ka iibiya macaamiil si joogta ah iga iibsada. Waana caanaha ugu wacan aagan aanu deganahay. Waxaan dhalay afar hablood hadana qurux badan midkasta  leedahay dabeecad u gooni, gabadha ugu yar ma hadal badna laakiin waa qof karti iyo garasho badan. Maalin anigoo ku maqan magaalada noogu dhow si aan usoo iibiyo caanaha aan ka ganacsado ayaa waxa bilowday roob xoogan iyo dabaylo is wata, weligay ma arkin tu lamid ah, waxaan is idhi malaha waa dhamaadkii aduunka. Waxaan si degdeg ah ugu noqday gurigaygi  maadama hablahaygi joogeen. Subaxaas waxaan kaga tagay guriga afar hablood oo caafimaad qaba, gelinkii danbe waxaan ugu soo nqoday  3 hablood ka badbaaday dufaanta, laakiin gabadhii ugu yarayd kamay badbaadin duufaantii. Qalbigaygu kama samrin ilaa hada. Iminka waxaan ka baqayaa hadii aan ka tago guriga in dufaan kale nagu timaado markale."

(Lughaya) #DufaantaSagar

[somalifaces]

"Relationships are usually formed on social media, or at work or at the local madrassa or even in places of education. We first met on social media, in fact, without social media, we wouldn’t have found each other. After messaging each other back-and-forth, we decided to take it to the next step and had several phone conversations before our first meeting. When we met for the first time, I fell in love with her pure natural beauty, her open-mindedness and her mesmerising smile. On that same day, I decided I wanted her to be my wife and proposed to her. She happily accepted, and our wedding happened in 2016, and we have been inseparable ever since. We now have a beautiful daughter to live for and all this happened because we connected on social media."

(Hargeisa)

"Dadka qaar waxa kulmiya baraha bulshadu kawada xidhiidho, qaar kale goobaha shaqada, qaarkoodna dugsiyada iyo jaamacadaha. Gaar ahaan anigu waxaan abaalka ugu weyn u hayaa baraha bulshada oo sabab u noqday isbarashada aniga iyo xaaskayga. Kadib isbarashadayadii, waxa aannu si toos ah uga wada hadli jirnay telefoonka in muddo ah, kahor kulankayagii kowaad. Kulankayagii koowaad waxyaabaha aad iisoo jiitay waxaa ka mid ahaa, quruxdeeda dabiiciga ah, furfurnaanta ka muuqatay hadalkeeda, waji furnaanteeda iyo dhoolacadeynteeda. Habeenkaas kadib, waxa aan go’aansaday inaan usoo bandhigo guur, alxamdulilaah, way iga aqbashay guurkaasi, wuxuuna ku dhamaaday guul. Guurkayagu wuxuu dhacay sanadkii 2016. Waxaa uu Alleh nagu arsaaqay gabadh yar."

(Hargaysa)

[somalifaces]

"I was awoken by the sound of heavy water rushing past. My mother, who wasn't far away from me started screaming for help so that others would help us.  No one came to our aid so my mother instructed me to knock on the doors of neighbouring houses. I noticed all the houses were vacated. I saw a man from the far distance. I had difficulty hearing him because of the floods and the strong winds. In the end, we went together back to my house so that I could tell my mother that I found someone.  What I found shocked me to the core. Our house was obliterated and there was no sign of my poor mother. The stranger that was with me told me that she must have been rescued by someone else and that we have to leave soon. We found a strong tree that we clutched on until the flood subsided. After a couple of hours, we tried looking for my mother again. Many of our neighbours told us that the floods took her away but I refused to believe it. In my heart, I felt that she was alive. I started looking for her everywhere but in the end, I've accepted that my beloved mother is no longer in this world. Once my father heard that his wife passed away, he was no longer the same. He refuses to talk except for a word here or there."

(Lughaya) #CycloneSagar

"Anigoo hurda ayaan kusoo kacay biyo guriga soo galay kadib hooyo oo ii garab jiifta ayaa qaaylisay si aay dadka kale noo caawiyaan markii aan waynay cid na maqasha ayaa hooyo ii tidhaahday orad adigu bax oo guryaha kusoo garaac. Kadib guryihii naga ag dhawaa markaan tagay waxaan arkay dadkii oo kawada baxay oo cidna aysan joogin nin aad iga fog ayaan ku cararay ninkii waan is maqli waynay dabaaysha iyo culayska roobka darteed. Kadib markii danbe ayuu ninkii isoo raacay waxaan imid gurigii oo biyihii dumiyeen oo hooyo aysan ku jirin, ninkii ayaa idhi biyaha meeshan cidina ma joogoto ee cid kale ayaa gaxaysay ina mari waan tagnay. Kadib waxaan ku hoos jirnay geed hadii aan sii daayno dabaysha ayaa biyaha kugu daraysa . Saacado dhawr ah kadib waxaanu isku daynay in aanu raadino hooyaday, in badan oo kamid ah dadkii deriska nala ahaa waxay igu yidhaahdeen hooyadaa waxaa qaaday daadkii , lakiin waan diiday in aan rumaysto. Qalbigayga waxaa kujirtay in ay weli nooshahay hooyaday, waxaan ka raadiyey goob kasta lakiin ugu danbayntii waxaan rumaystay in hooyaday oon aad u jeclaa maanta aduunkan ka tagtay.Markii aabbahay maqlay in ay dhimatay hooyaday dareenkiisi wuu isbedelay, maskaxdiisana waxaa yimid isbedel hadalkiisina wuxuu noqday halkan iyo halkaas labadaas kelmadood ayuu ku hadlaya wax kale ma odhanayo."

(Lughaya) #DufaantaSagar

[somalifaces]

"When the tropical cyclone hit our village, there was so much screaming coming from the people of my village; it was deafening.  I  vividly remember that day because my husband and I were newly-weds and were spending quality time together. Once we heard the cries, we came outside and saw so much water and strong winds ravaging the village. I've never seen anything like it before. The heavy floods took one of our neighbours' house , and she was inside. I can still remember her cries over the strong winds and my husband, without thinking for his own safety, tried to rescue her. I saw him trying to fight the floods so that he could save her. Within minutes, I saw them both disappear in the floods, gone just like that. I was devasted for I loved him so much but God had better plans, and I've accepted that. I pray to God that He has mercy on his soul and He provides me with someone that I can love as much as I loved him."

(Lughaya)

"Markii dufaantu soo gaadhay degmadayada waxaa dhacday in dad badan qayliyaan waan naxay. Maalinta waan xasuusta sababto ah aniga iyo ninkaygu waxaanu ahayn qoys aroos ah wakhti nolosha qoysnimo markaas bilow u ahayd. Markii aanu maqalnay qaylada waxaanu usoo baxnay banaanka kadib waxaanu aragnay biyo iyo dabayl xoog ah wada socda hadana guryaha duminaya weligay ma arkin wax lamid ah taas. Daadkii ay keentay duufaantu wuxuu qaatay mid ka mid ah aqaladii aanu deriska ahayn. Gabadhii lahayd aqalka gudihiisay ku jirtay waxaan xasuusta qayladii iyo oohintii gabadhaas ay ku keentay xooga duufaantii dhacaysay, ninkaygii isagoon aad uga fakarin wuxu isku dayey markiiba inuu badbaadiyey gabadha oyeysa. Waxaan arkayey isagoo daadka iska celinaya si uu usoo badbaadiyo gabadha muddo ku siman daqiiqado aragoodi waan wayey labadooduba dibna uma arkin sidaasu ku tagay.  Waxaa igu dhacay murugo iyo naxdin aad u daran, aad baan u jeclaa hadana ilaahay qadarkiisa lama diidi karo aniguna waan aqbalay , ilaahay waxaan uga baryaya in uu u naxariisto anigana badal khayr qaba igu badalo."

(Lughaya)

[somalifaces]

"Many people see couples as married couples, but we consider our selves as a business couple. We run a business and raise a family together. We know lots of people say that you should not mix business with family but we make it work. Sometimes, one of us might feel down or having no motivation, and can barely get out of bed. When that happens, the other cheers them up, and that is real love right there. Other times, we cover each other when the other is busy with the kids. We don't regret working together as a couple in business, no matter what other people say."

(Hargeisa)

"Dad badan  waxay u arkaan lamanaha kuwa is guursada oo keli ah, laakiin anagu waxaanu u aragna naftayada lamaane ganacsi si wadajir ah u hirgaliyey, sidaasna waxaanu ku maamulna ganacsi iyo qoys si wada jir ah. Waxaanu ognahay dad badan nagu yidhaahda ha isku dhex wadina ganacsi iyo arrimo qoys, kuwaas waxaanu tusnay in la isku wadi karo. Marmar waxa dhacda in midkaayo  xanuunsado, marka taasi dhacdo qofka kale tageera waana taas xaqiiqda jacaylka dhabta ah. Wakthiyada kale waan is caawina hadba marka midkaayo mashquul ku yahay caruurta. Kamana xumaano in aanu si wada jir ah uga shaqayno ganacsigayaga, muhiim ma aha hadalka dadka kale yidhaahdan."

(Hargaysa)

[somalifaces]

Alhamdullilah, we have concluded the #MakeanOrphanSmile campaign by preparing festive meals for them in 4 different areas. Over 400 happy orphans benefitted from this. We want to thank from the bottom of our hearts the amazing people who opened their heart and wallets to these orphans. Thank you.

Alxamdulilaah, waxaanu dhamaystirnay Barnaamijka #KaFarxiAgoomaha anagoo u samaynay qado caruur ku nool 4 xarumo lagu daryeelo agoomaha. In kabadan 400 caruur ah ka fa'iidaystay Barnaamijkan. Waxaanu markale u mahad celinayna dhamaan intii jeebkooda u furtay kana farxisay caruurtan agoonta ah. Aad baad u mahadsantihiin.

[somalifaces]

We distributed more Eid gifts to more orphans as they were preparing to celebrate Eid tomorrow. Once again, thanks to the generous souls, they can now spend Eid in their new attire. We wish you and your family a blessed Eid Mubarak!

Waxaan u qaybinay dharkii ciida caruur badan oo agoon ah si ay beri ugu diyaar garoobaan farxada ciida. Sidoo kale waxaan u mahad naqayna dhamaan intii ugu deeqday una suura gelisay in ay heelan dharka ciida. Somali Faces  waxay idin rajaynaysaa ciid Mubarak dhamaantiin.