Somaliland

Disability is not inability: The story of Fadumo Bihi

July 25, 2010   ·   1730532 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fdisability-is-not-inability-the-story-of-fadumo-bihi-17305Disability+is+not+inability%3A+The+story+of+Fadumo+Bihi2010-07-26+04%3A20%3A58Qalinle+Husseinhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D17305

Fadumo and her daughter live in a traditional Somali hut made of old worn-out clothes and plastic sheets, in the Mandeeq village. At present, Fadumo’s daughter and her are in a desperate condition. Ever since Fadumo lost both of her parents, she has lived with her aunt, who like her is a single mother of eight children.  With tears in her eyes, she expressed, that her aunt was the breadwinner for their family. Due to this extreme situation, the children and the whole family are struggling, sometimes lacking basic necessities such as food and clothes.

It’s hard to forget a person whose conquered adversity in their life, especially those who have managed to do so while also making a difference in their society, where they have changed and improved the lives of others besides themselves. Fudumo Bihi exemplifies this, despite her young age. As a double leg amputee, she has achieved more than most others have or will in a life time.

At the age of six, Fadumo Bihi lost both of her legs to a landmine explosion in her Mandeeq village in the outskirts of Hargeisa. Concerned and worried about the health condition of their daughter’s disability, Fadumo’s parents took her to the Somaliland Rehabilitation Center—the only place where disability services were offered in the town. Sadly, her condition couldn’t be treated in the country, which left doctors advising her parents to send her abroad to a more advanced medical facility.  Fadumo’s parents were thankful to Almighty Allah for His will, and for giving them an acceptance of their daughter’s disability.

While abroad, Fadumo was built artificial limbs enabling her to walk as a normal person. Fadumo, soon after, was invited to participate in an international conference on mine elimination, which was held in Switzerland in 1996. In that meeting, Fadumo was a living example of a mine victim. She was asked by the United Nations, what she likes to do, and she bravely answered, “ I want to build a school at the same place where the mine exploded on me. “ The school she wanted to build was finally built by the United Nations, and now serves the needs of the local community. Today, more than 1200 students from poor families are beneficiaries of the Fadumo Bihi School, which functions as a primary and intermediate school in Somaliland. With 13 teachers in both morning and afternoon shifts, with limited office equipment and educational and recreational facilities, with one latrine that is shared by all the students, one can see how most of Fadumo Bihi’s students live. While three classes of students graduated from upper primary schools at grade eight, few of them have been able to join a higher school or enroll as university students. Fadumo is one of the very few people from this poor area that was able to attend a university and earn a scholarship in her first year from Lucy University College. At the primary and intermediate school, Fadumo always attends social activities and never fails to participate in community functions. She is an active member of the Community Education Committees at her school.

Despite all of the challenges she faced with her physical disability, Fadumo manages to lead a normal life, and still contributes to her society. She attends Lucy University College and studies under the faculty of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and manages to also enjoy the university life. She has many friends, and loves relating with them on every level. To succeed in her field she believes it’s crucial to remain socially engaged, despite her condition.

Even after Fadumo got married and became the mother of one child she continued to pursue higher education. In the morning and afternoon she looks after her child, and then starts her 4 kilometers journey to the University in order to pursue her university education.  Place yourself in the shoes of Fadumo—mother, student, and living amongst the poorest of the poor. What goes through your mind when you read this story? As Somalilanders who are lucky enough to be physically fit with parents who support us financially, we possibly might not understand what it feels like to be double amputee, mother and student.  Brothers and sisters of Somaliland, it is time for us to make a decision and help Fadumo Bihi turn her dreams into a reality, so that she can lead a better life. In consideration of her physical limitations, she needs a special car to lead in her double life, as a student at the university and as a mother at home with her family.

Fadumo Bihi is an amazingly optimistic, who has shined in many areas of her life, despite her physical limitations. She is a role model to ordinary people like us, proving that disability is not inability. Truly, she is an asset to our Somaliland community and an important part of many people’s lives. May Allah keep Fadumo with a strong passion to help the neediest people through her voluntary work.

Photo: Students get education in Fadumo Bihi School

By Farhan Abdi Suleiman (Oday)

Email: oday1999@yahoo.com
Phone: 252-2-4401132
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Farhan (oday) is a social worker, researcher and youth activist in Hargeisa. He holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from the University in Hargeisa.

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By Qalinle Hussein

Tags: Fadumo Bihi, Farhan Suleiman, Oday