a soothing departure..

I write this note with a combined sense of excitement and melancholy. Excited as I start yet another chapter of my life full of new challenges to overcome and life lessons to learn. Melancholy because of the friends, city and comforts I leave behind. I have been blessed throughout my time in DC and the US and have made uncountable memories that would forever be cherished.

On the other hand, to seek personal progress is an innate character instilled in all of us who wish to master this thing called life. In order to master it, to define success for your own self, one has to embrace the ongoing pursuit to reach for higher grounds.You learn more of that which you are passionate about.
I have been lucky enough to have found my passion in journalism, even more blessed to have been able to earn a living off it.
On the way I have learned that aside from the basic principles of journalism being the medium to inform, educate and entertain, it can also play a significant role in the development of society. This is the aspect that I have grown more interested in and wish to pursue it on an academic level.

I hope that during my time at the VOA, the listeners have benefited from my broadcasts. I have most certainly benefited from their feedback and have been humbled by all of their support.

We can't plan every aspect of life but one can make every effort to fulfill that which the heart is passionate about, especially if it contributes to the well-being of your fellow human beings. And then you leave room for serendipity, for faith to lead the way.

Life is what happens when one continues to strive..

Humanitarian event

Above is the audio of an event about the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and how the Diaspora generation can engage.
Human rights activist Sadia Aden is the other guest speaker at the session.

The plight of the Ogaden people

A very under-reported issue in my opinion, especially given the fact that the people who live in this region are primarily pastoralists whose survival depends on the ability to move around. However with the ongoing clashes between the Ethiopian military and the opposition forces, their movement is very restricted. As a result you have a people who are stuck in the middle of an endless war but have no means of moving forward.

A short report below, probably my last for VOA English to Africa, looks at the impact the ongoing violence has on the lives of the pastoralist people of the Somali region of Ethiopia.

Ogaden pastoralists report- English to Africa