NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2021
Congratulations to all Abaarso students who are graduating from boarding schools and institutions of higher education in Somaliland and around the globe!
Students in the Abaarso Network represent the very best of Somaliland. Their hard work and commitment to learning every day set an example for others to follow. Their success in the face of many challenges has reset expectations of what young people in Somaliland can accomplish at home and abroad. I want to take a moment to recognize the pioneering young women of Barwaaqo, whose bravery, intelligence and perseverance have helped establish Barwaaqo University as a sustainable, local institution of higher learning, changing not only the course of their own lives but creating opportunities for thousands of women to come.
Of course, the hard work of transforming Somaliland is not done. There is much left for these extraordinary people to accomplish. I look forward to a graduation ceremony in August where we can take time to offer our congratulations and support to be life-long learners, ethical leaders and great contributors to an ever-better future for Somaliland and beyond.
Rob Kaufman
Executive Director, Abaarso Network
This is a particularly exciting graduation season for the Abaarso Network as sixteen exceptional young women who comprise the inaugural class of Barwaaqo University are preparing to receive their diplomas. These women are the first of many to graduate from
Barwaaqo with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Please join the Abaarso Network for a graduation ceremony to celebrate members of the Barwaaqo Class of 2021 on Monday, August 16th at 9 am. All members of the Abaarso community, along with their family and friends, are invited to attend. A detailed program announcing the location and exciting keynote speakers will follow this Save the Date message.
In line with our mission of providing high-quality education to students of all ages across Somaliland, Barwaaqo graduates are filling the need for quality primary school educators who will go on to educate the next generation of Somali youth. Many members of the Class of 2021 intend to pursue careers in education, with several graduates planning to work for the Abaarso Network as teachers at Kaabe Primary Schools.
For more information on
Barwaaqo, please visit:
barwaaqouniversity.org
“It is the time to make change for our country. Let us build this country together.”
Sagal Abdi, Barwaaqo Class of 2021
Sagal grew up in the city of Burco, which is the capital of the Togdheer region and the second-largest city in Somaliland. She is the third eldest of the eight children in her family. After graduating from high school, Sagal heard about the opportunity to study education at Barwaaqo University from her sisters who are Abaarso alumni themselves. Sagal reflects, “Growing up, my teachers encouraged me to become a teacher, so when I heard Barwaaqo was opening a School of Education, I knew I had to try.” Sagal not only tried, but she succeeded in reaching her goal. She is part of a new generation of Somali educators who will have an impact on the youth of Somaliland. After graduation, Sagal plans to apply to teach at Barwaaqo’s sister primary school, Kaabe.
Sagal is proud to be a member of the inaugural class of Barwaaqo, the first all-female university in Somaliland. Sagal believes that one of the biggest problems facing Somaliland youth today is a lack of access to primary education. Only 46% of students across Somaliland are enrolled in primary school. She dreams of one day founding her own school called We Still Have Hope so all children in Somaliland can have hope and a place to
call home. Sagal draws her strength and inspiration from her mother who taught her that she can be the best version of herself by helping others. Sagal’s message to the women of Somaliland is, “It is the time to make change for our country. Let us build this country together.”
In the summer of 2019, Ido Ibrahim was 10 years old and her family had no intention of sending her to school. Despite both her brothers being given the opportunity to pursue education, Ido’s parents planned for her to stay home to cook, clean, and help care for younger children in the family. So when we started construction of the first Kaabe School near her home, Ido made it her personal mission to enroll herself. She stopped by every day to petition with her limited English: “Ido me. School?” Again and again. Because we were close enough to her house, her family finally agreed to let her attend.
Ido was well outside our intended age bracket, but the idea of her being so close to a Kaabe school, so eager to learn, and not having access to any education was unthinkable. Two years later, Ido is one of the top students in our school and has rapidly learned English in our immersion environment. She leads vocally and by example, always helping the younger students find their ways. The teaching team could not imagine Kaabe without Ido.
