I started the Shiibane Soomaali program in 2020 with 3 main objectives
Teaching
Teach Soomaali language, culture, and poetic histories through a linguistic perspective
Host seminars
About Soomaali language, culture, and history.
Support Parents
Who would like to teach their children Soomaali language at home in early childhood.
Vision:
My vision is to be a global leader in providing a personalized, digitally connected, and immersive study of the Soomaali language and culture.
Mission:
My mission is to preserve and promote the Soomaali language. I am dedicated to educating Soomaali youth and young adults in achieving excellence in Soomaali language, culture, and history. I aspire to assist them in acquiring the knowledge necessary to understand their heritage, appreciate the richness & significance of the Soomaali language, their identity, and obtain knowledge that they will pass on to the next generation. My aspiration is to frame their confidence and self-respect based on their identity, culture, and history as Soomaali. My incredible team will strive to uplift Soomaali people through authentic studies of their mother’s tongue (afka hooyo)
Values
1. I highly value respect as it is the framework and basis of the entire existence of Soomaalinimo.
2. I genuinely care about the diversity of each Soomaali student’s perspective and journey to understanding and using their language and history.
3. I value honesty when engaging and studying subjects regarding Soomaali affairs in a non-partisan manner, to the best of our ability.
4. Ultimately, my dedication lies in promoting the unity of the Soomaali people.
Building a Strong Foundation with 5 Pillars
We support our students in developing pillars for the foundation in speaking, writing, and understanding Soomaali.
Pillar 1.
Connect with the culture
Understand Soomaali stories and history from a linguistic perspective. Enjoy and reflect on the richness of the language as you expand your vocabulary and experience the unique grammar and meanings hidden in the language.
Pillar 2:
Communicate with relatives
If you are Soomaali and born and raised in the diaspora, you may have difficulty finding an opportunity to learn the language fluently. If you are finding it difficult to communicate with your parents or other relatives, learning Soomaali can strengthen your relationships and help you to understand your loved ones. Likewise, if you are non-Soomaali and your spouse is Soomaali, learning the Soomaali language is a great way to connect with them and their family.
Pillar 3:
Travel with confidence
Get more out of your experience traveling in the Horn of Africa. Break out of the tourist mentality and connect with locals to enrich your trip. Learning Soomaali will open doors for you while traveling and make it easier and enjoyable to get around. Soomaali is spoken by more than 20 million people in The Soomaali State, NFD, Soomaalia, Djibouti, and around the world in the Soomaali diaspora.
Pillar 4:
Preserve the Culture and Heritage Within Your Family
I am determined to create positive space and content to allow the young Soomaali people to learn and express themselves about their roots, heritage, and background. As for parents, we recognize the challenges of passing on your culture and language to your children. Therefore, I am dedicated to giving the Soomaali parents the resources they need to provide their family a sense of belonging based on their language, culture, and history.
Pillar 5:
Enjoy listening poetry
Understand the Soomaali arts beyond simple translations and delve deeper into the stories and perspectives. Expand your experience and understanding of Soomaali spoken word traditions.