Fatima Ali
Fatima Ali is an extraordinary member of the Barwaaqo University Class of 2021. Born in the Saahil region of Somaliland to a family of pastoralists, Fatima and her ten siblings lacked access to quality education. Despite the many obstacles in her path, Fatima dreamed of becoming an educated woman. At the age of eighteen, Fatima assumed primary responsibility for three of her younger siblings and her four-year-old niece. During this time, Fatima began working as an employee at Abaarso in hopes of furthering her education. She taught the children how to take care of themselves so she could spend her weekdays on Abaarso’s campus. After one year at Abaarso, Fatima achieved her goal and joined the first class at Barwaaqo University.
Fatima continued to care for the four children while living on campus and attending Barwaaqo University. She called the children every evening to make sure they had everything they needed. Despite the challenge of being a full-time student while managing a household of four children, Fatima continued to pursue her education to improve all of their lives. “This is my future, this is my education, this is where I will find a better life to [sic] them.” Fatima has succeeded not only in getting herself an education but in finding opportunities for the four children in her care. Her youngest brother will be attending Abaarso in the fall, her niece is enrolled at Kaabe and the two older children are students at schools in Hargeisa. Fatima intends to work as a primary school teacher in Hargeisa following graduation. We hope that Fatima’s impact will extend far and wide, improving the lives and education of future generations of youth across Somaliland.