InfoMatch Accessibility Expanded
Now Live Across the Entire Somali Regions
May 16, 2011 | Hargeisa, Somaliland
EDC/Shaqodoon has recently established a new partnership with Nationlink telecommunication company, and following months of intensive work and collaboration between Nationlink, Souktel, and EDC teams, the SMS and Voice based InfoMatch system was finally media launched in Hargeisa on May 15th, 2011. The new partnership tremendously broadens InfoMatch’s existing network hosted by Telesom and Golis telecommunication companies and will single-handedly reach 60% of Shaqodoon’s total users across the entire Somali regions. As a result, all registered Shaqodoon youth can now gain access to upcoming trainings and work opportunities via the InfoMatch system regardless of their geographical location.
The event held at the Mansoor hotel was jointly organized by EDC and Nationlink. The attendees included EDC staff headed by Abdi Hashi, the Acting Country Director, senior Nationlink staff; Abdiqadir Abdi Omar, General Manager, Mahdi Jama Dahir, Chief Operating Officer, and Abdirahman Mohamed Ibrahim, Sales and Marketing Manager, as well as Hargeisa-based Shaqodoon implementing partners, Shaqodoon trainees, prominent community figures including Musa Ali Faruur, a well-known traditional artist. Also in attendance were the Ministers of Education, Samsam Abdi Adan, Postal and Telecommunication, Ahmed Hashi Oday, and Interior, Mohamed Abdi Gaboos, as well as the Mayor of Hargeisa, Hussein Mohamoud Ji’ir.
Guest speakers thanked EDC and the Shaqodoon program for continued effort in increasing livelihood opportunities for the Somali youth, via the use of locally suitable modern technologies. “I remain a strong supporter of Shaqodoon, and today I’m happy to welcome Nationlink’s addition to this cause, that widens Somali youth’s access to livelihood opportunities.” said Hussein Ji’ir, the Mayor of Hargeisa in his opening remarks. “Working is very important part of life; one should never shun work, specially when employment is scare. In my younger days I worked as a manual worker when I had a medical degree, but because circumstances necessitated it, I did what I had to do.” Ahmed Hashi Oday, Minister of Postal and Telecommunication. The Minister continued addressing the youth in the audience “Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, and remember working hard is the only way to reach far in life.”
The event was concluded with a ceremonial distribution of free mobile phones to Shaqodoon trainees who met pre-established criteria to receive the phones. This was a measure taken by EDC to ensure all Shaqodoon trainees have equal access to the InfoMatch system, thus, equal access to work opportunities. These mobile phones were purchased by EDC and SIM cards were provided by Nationlink. EDC will distribute additional phones for eligible Shaqodoon trainees throughout this month and next.