Kismayu (Kaab TV) – In a city where opportunities are often as limited as the resources needed to create them, a committed group of volunteers is demonstrating that practical skills can be the most valuable currency for change.
Leading this effort is Ali Mohammed, a tailoring instructor who could no longer ignore the sight of young women in his community left behind due to a lack of access to education.
“We saw that many of these girls couldn’t afford formal schooling and were simply sitting idle along the walls,” Ali explains. “Driven by a sense of responsibility, we brought in sewing machines and partnered with other young people to create a pathway forward.”
The Sayid Omar Center, established in Kismayo, has since become a vital hub for vocational training tailored to women who missed out on traditional education. Its hands-on curriculum is both practical and diverse, offering training in:
Tailoring and garment construction
Henna artistry
Fabric dyeing
Small-scale manufacturing, including the production of specialized fabric-washing shampoos
For students like Fardowsa Abdirisaaq Warsame, these skills provide a sense of stability and independence that, in some cases, even a university degree may not guarantee.