Youth in Action: Abdirahman’s Journey from the Sidelines to Peace Leadership
#YOUACT | #YouthVoices | #Peacebuilding | #ShaqodoonImpact
“When I first saw the YOU-ACT project on Facebook, I felt hope—a rare spark in my daily life. For the first time, I believed that young people like me could build peace in our own communities.”
— Abdirahman Maalim Ducub, YOU-ACT participant, Somalia
In a community where decisions have long been made by elders alone, Abdirahman’s voice—and the voices of countless other youth—were once distant echoes.
But thanks to Shaqodoon’s YOU-ACT Project, that silence has been broken.
With the encouragement of his parents, local youth leaders, and community elders, Abdirahman joined YOU-ACT to take part in youth-led peacebuilding. Today, he stands at the heart of community dialogue, helping mediate disputes and shape inclusive decisions that affect everyone.
What Changed?
Youth participation skyrocketed in peacebuilding efforts.
Conflict among young people has dropped, replaced by skills, dialogue, and unity.
Elders and communities now recognize the essential role of youth and women in building lasting peace and development.
“This project taught me that no single person or group should claim ownership of community efforts. Peace is our shared responsibility.”
The Impact Lives On
For Abdirahman, YOU-ACT was more than a training—it was a transformation.
“This project didn’t just reach its goals—it awakened our community. I hope more young people are trained to lead in peacebuilding and political spaces.”
Join the Movement
At Shaqodoon, we believe in the power of youth-led solutions to transform Somalia—community by community. Projects like YOU-ACT are living proof that when youth are trusted, trained, and supported, they don’t just participate—they lead.
➡️ Help us scale this impact. Support training programs that unlock the leadership potential of Somalia’s youth.
#YouthInPeace | #YOUACT | #Shaqodoon | #SomaliaVoices | #LeadWithHope