In Burhakaba, Somalia, many families face difficult daily challenges caused by poverty, displacement, and insecurity. To help these families, New Ways Organization (NWO), with funding support from the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF), created a Child Friendly Space (CFS).
A Child Friendly Space is a safe and welcoming place where vulnerable children can:
- Play together safely
- Learn and express themselves
- Build friendships and recover from stress
- Stay safe from child labor, abuse, neglect, and exploitation
To make sure this protection lasts a long time, NWO trained local community members to form a Community Protection Committee (CPC). These trained volunteers learned how to protect children, identify safety risks, and support parents. Even though the funded project ended in July 2026, the center is still open today. It is completely managed and run by the dedicated local committee members, proving how community action keeps hope alive.
Halima’s Story: An Unexpected Discovery
One normal day, children at the center were playing and laughing together. Adam, a volunteer member of the Community Protection Committee, noticed a new young girl joining the games. Adam gently walked up to her and introduced himself. The 12 year old girl said her name was Halima. She explained that while walking past, she heard children laughing and playing, and she decided to join in the fun. Concerned about her safety, Adam asked about her family and accompanied her home. On the way, they checked the market where Halima’s mother sold bananas to earn a small living, but her stall was empty. When they arrived at their modest home, they found Halima’s mother waiting with deep worry. The moment the mother saw Halima, she hugged her tightly and cried with relief, saying:
“Thank God! I thought I had lost you!”
Halima happily told her mother about the wonderful place she had found and the kind man who brought her home. Adam explained what the Child Friendly Space was and invited both of them to visit the next morning. While talking, the mother shared her painful story:
“Her father left us two years ago to look for work in Mogadishu. We have not heard from him since. I have been raising Halima alone.”
For two years, the mother worked long hours selling fruit at the local market. She had no money for childcare and lived in constant fear and anxiety about Halima’s safety whenever she left her alone at home.
A New Chapter Begins
The next morning, Halima and her mother visited the Child Friendly Space. The committee and three local children warmly welcomed them, showing Halima around and inviting her to play. Watching her daughter laugh and smile freely brought tears to the mother’s eyes, a level of happiness she had not seen in two years. Hesitantly, the mother asked Adam:
“How much do I have to pay for my daughter to attend this center?”
Adam smiled and reassured her that all activities and services at the center are completely free of charge. For a mother struggling to buy daily basic needs, this news brought immense relief. Halima was registered right away.
“For two years, I prayed for someone to look after Halima and help her learn while I am working,” her mother said through tears of joy. “Today, I finally found a safe place where she can be happy and cared for.”
Community Ownership Makes Protection Last
Halima’s story shows why community involvement is so vital in humanitarian work:
- Safety and Peace of Mind: Halima now enjoys her right to play and learn in a safe environment, while her mother can work without constant fear.
- Local Leadership: The trained Community Protection Committee continues to protect children and support families even after external funding ends.
- Sustainable Impact: By empowering local residents, NWO built a lasting foundation for child rights and safety in Burhakaba.
What started as a young girl following the sound of laughter became a life changing connection for a family, as well as a reminder of what a community can achieve when given the tools to protect its own children.
