Hello again from Somalia! Asia, Osman, Jon, Steph, Betty, and me (Joseph!) are on a trip of a lifetime, the Trip Around the World! Our team is going borderless, visiting different Alight country programs across the globe. It’s all about making new connections, learning from each other, and becoming Alight together!
We’re in Hargeisa, Somalia, where we’re hanging out with the Alight team here and getting out into their community to do the doable.
Today we’re headed to an orphanage, where kids and teachers alike could use a little extra TLC.
Zahra is the head teacher at the orphanage. She’s been here for nine years. “I came to work here when I learned that they didn’t have a teacher!” she told us. “I want to give them a better future. They need to not feel like they’re abandoned.”
Her favorite subject to teach is the history of Somaliland, so that they can see where they come and where they are now. “Even talking about this now gives me such joy!”
One of the things Zahra told us they’re missing are especially things for the girls, like clothing and sanitary pads. “The girls are growing up,” she said. “They need these items.”
We were on the case! Together with the Hargeisa team we collected the clothes they needed and the sanitary pads, too. The team had never actually been there before, so they were happy to visit.
Zahra had specifically asked for a specific type of clothing wrap that was one sized fits all – that the teachers could use too! “As they grow they can adjust the wraps, it works for everyone.”
For our Alight teammate Betty, who had been orphaned herself, the trip to the orphanage was particularly meaningful. “I grew up without parents,” she said “It was really moving to spend time with these children because it resonates with me.”
Tomorrow, we’re on to Jordan…see you then!
Meet Joseph!
Hello hello! My name is Joseph Kyobe and I am the Regional Growth Lead at Kuja Kuja. I love getting the chance to work in the field and see first hand the amazing work Alight is doing around the world. Come follow me as I take you through the Changemakers 365 projects we did on this life-changing trip!
