For the next week, we’ll be doing the doable inside Somalia – a country that’s seen decades of conflict and instability. But in many places, the tide is shifting. People are returning, going back to a place they once knew as home.
We’re working with former refugees and displaced people throughout Somalia – including in the coastal port town of Kismayo. It’s a resilient city that’s slowly redeveloping and growing.
There are a lot of people who keep our work running safely and smoothly in Kismayo. And chief among them, our security team. These men have a big job – and even bigger hearts. So for Day 114, we wanted to find a way to say thank you.
Without our security guards, we simply couldn’t do the work we do. They stand guard around the clock, making sure the rest of the team is safe. Their eyes and ears on the ground give us the confidence to reach out to as many communities as possible, reaching people in need.
And, their job means they are always on the move, always alert and outside in the sweltering heat. So what better way to honor and thank them than over a meal to keep their energy up, their spirits high?
This gesture of thanks may seem simple. But in the hustle and bustle of getting the job done, it’s all too easy to forget to say thank you. Today’s lunch shows them in a small way how deeply we appreciate the work that they do.
“In the morning when I wake up, I’m happy to be providing security for humanitarian assistance,” says Abdi, ARC’s Security Officer in Kismayo. “Security is vital; it is the backbone to what we are doing.” We couldn’t agree more, Abdi. Thank you for all you do.
