Sowing Seeds of Hope: Stories of Resilience from Somalia

“People speak of hope as if it is this delicate, ephemeral thing made of whispers and spider's webs. It's not. Hope has dirt on her face, blood on her knuckles, the grit of the cobblestones in her hair, and just spat out a tooth as she rises for another go.” – Author unknown

In Somalia, poverty, hunger, and conflict cast long shadows that darken the lives of too many people. And yet, during my recent journey there, amidst the struggle, there were glimpses of hope and resilience which like a tree continue to grow amidst rocky ground and harsh soil.

I reflect on the parable of a farmer sowing seeds, where many seeds fall on rocky ground, among thorns, or the birds steal them away. Sadly, this was reality in Somalia, seeds and hope lost, for dozens of people struggling to survive as internal refugees. And yet, like the parable, amidst the bleakness, there were still shoots of hope that hold the possibility for a better crop in the future.

One such story is that of Nishow, a grandfather in his 70s, who stood tall and proud, embodying the spirit of perseverance in the face of adversity. Hailing from El Pan village, Nishow worked in the local market, helping farmers to sell cattle and running a small tea stand. However, a militia incursion brought threats and violence, forcing him and his family to flee to Doolow in southwest Somalia in 2016.

Nishow faced a harrowing journey and arrived in Doolow with malnourished children and a desperate lack of resources. Fortunately, they received emergency health and nutrition services, meaning the children could fully recover. In 2018, World Vision established a special farm area near the river for internal refugees like Nishow. He was among the first farmers, contributing to clearing and tilling the land by hand. With World Vision's support in irrigation and farming, he persevered despite challenges.

In the wake of devastating drought and hunger in Somalia (in 2022, 43,000 people died of hunger, with more than half being children under five), Nishow was able to support his family through farming. This year, with hopes for a bountiful harvest, he borrowed $500 for inputs and supplies. However, the impacts of climate change and El Ni?o brought unprecedented flooding—some of the worst in Somalia in over a century. Homes, livestock, and Nishow's crops were obliterated; locals called it 'qiama' or 'apocalypse.'

Meeting Nishow a month later, after the waters subsided, I found him working on the farm, restoring canals. And that's where the story takes a turn—Nishow is not a helpless victim, and he is not giving up. He told me that:

"When I first came here, there was nothing. There was bush, there was no farm whatsoever," Nishow recounted, his eyes reflecting both sorrow and determination. "Now we have irrigation. The farmland has been cleared. Yes, there was flooding, but we're going to get back on our feet."

Through sheer resilience, Nishow transformed barren land into a thriving farm, sustaining his family and inspiring others with his unwavering resolve. His story, like a candlelight amidst the darkness, reminds us of the transformative power of hope and perseverance.

Similarly, Hamdi's journey echoes these same sentiments of resilience and courage amidst adversity. Married off at the age of 13, she, her husband and his four wives were forced to flee to refugee camps in Ethiopia. Hamdi found herself navigating the chaos of conflict and displacement. Yet, amid this disarray, she discovered her calling as a health and nutrition volunteer, offering solace and support to those in need.

And when her older husband tried to take the money she had earned and tell her to stop working outside the home, she had the courage to leave him, take her two children, and rebuild her life again. She remarried, started a new family with three younger children and was thriving when food assistance was cut off in Ethiopia and she was forced to return to Somalia. She had just arrived back, was hoping to get food assistance, and relied on $80/month that her older son sent to her through his work taking care of cattle. But despite all this, her perspective amazed me when she said,

"I have hope and optimism for the future," her voice unwavering. "I have a brain and many life experiences. I know what is good for me, and what is bad. And I choose what is good."

Her journey, marked by hardship and sacrifice, speaks to the power of the human spirit and how it can shine even in harshest environments. Despite facing insurmountable odds, Hamdi remains steadfast in her commitment to build a better life for herself and her children.

As I reflect on these stories of resilience from Somalia, it brings me back again to the parable of the farmer sowing seeds. In a land marred by adversity, with just a bit of the right soil (right supports), the seeds of hope can find root and flourish, defy the odds and yield abundant harvests.

These stories, like rays of sunshine piercing through dark clouds, serve as a testament to the unwavering strength of the human spirit. They remind us that amidst the darkness, there exists a glimmer of hope—a hope that transcends borders, cultures, and circumstances.

As we journey forward, World Vision is committed to partnering with amazing heroes like Nishow and Hamdi to help create better soil so that courage and hope can prevail even in darkest times. For in the resilience of individuals like Nishow and Hamdi, we find the true essence of humanity—a spirit that refuses to be extinguished, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Written by TJ Grant, World Vision New Zealand's Associate National Director and International Partnerships Director