(Distributing desktop computer accessories and internet devices to the CLAs member).
Self-help Group (SGH) is founded in Somaliland in September 2013 NAFIS Network. It is an informal association of poor communities whose shared goal is to work together for their economic empowerment and social development. The primary purpose of the SHG is to obtain economic benefits and social responsibility. This approach empowers women and girls who are poor and unskilled by providing facilities such as knowledge, skills, motivation, and sustainability.
The approach concentrates on three strong pillars: social, economic, and political empowerment. All three are necessary to allow the poor to assert and realize their rights as human beings, citizens, and equal participants in civil society.
In 2021, NAFIS Network expanded this approach in the six regions of Somaliland, and new SHGs were formed, new community facilitators and project officers from the selected, promoted organizations were trained and equipped with the knowledge and skills on the concept of the SHGs approach. Similarly, NAFIS Network has established the first two SHG federations in Maroodi-Jeex and Togdheer region; new formed SHG federation is the highest institution of the SHGs levels, and it’s selected from the cluster level associations in SHGs.
The SHG Federation is a network consisting of the several Cluster Level Associations from SHG members, who are the representatives from the different geographical setting; they motivate and support SHG Federation Members to reach their goals in Economic, Social, and Political empowerment of women and girls members, and they also responsible to build their capacity and link into the other public and private sectors.
To sustain the existence of the SHGs structure, and promote effective functions of their organizations; during COVID19, SHGs faced many challenges, their offices were not equipped to work effectively, all activities they carried out was documented manually, which makes it difficult to refer to all reports, savings, credit, investment and meeting minutes.
Therefore, NAFIS Network held a meeting on 29th April 2021, NAFIS Network is supported by the International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) distributed 90 desktop computer accessories and internet devices to the CLAs, to improve their capacity in office Management and online engagement.
The meeting was attended by the -General Director of the Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF), Mr. Abdi-Rashid Ibrahim, Senior Staff of ISF in Somaliland, Ahmed Mire, and Yahye Hanas, Executive Director and Chairperson of Nafis Network, Mr. Abdurrahman Osman, and Khadra Omer, respectively, SHG Somaliland Coordinator, Mr. Khaled Sa’ed Hersi and Chairpersons of SHGs members.
Speakers at the meeting underscored the importance of distributed desktop computers and Internet devices for the efficient operation of SHG members.
Distributed Desktop Computers will support the SHGs members to save their Monthly, quarterly, and Yearly Reports, CLAs information, and meeting action points, yearly planning, monitoring and evaluation reports, SHGs savings, incomes, and expenditures. The computer will help them to provide visitors and stakeholders with accurate information about the SHG. It will also support the SHG to have good functional offices with effective documentation systems; enhancing the existence and sustainability of Somaliland’s SHG and will change the various activities we undertake as a Cluster level Association of SHGs. Said “Khaled Sa’ed Hersi” Somaliland SHGs Coordinator of NAFIS network.
SHG was a new concept in Somaliland, most people did not know how it works, most of the poor people in IDPs and hosting communities did not have the connections, collaborations, and platforms to discuss and talk about their general situation. As a result, the SHG concept has led to the integration of the poor community, as well as the creation of savings that have enabled them to have economic resources.
As a member of the SHG, we work hard and have had a difficult time, going through three stages of the SHG approach, the creation of the SHG, the Cluster Level Association (CLA), and the Federation. On behalf of the presidents of the SHG Federation, we want to do more and make significant strides in the family economy, social and political participation. We believe these Desktop Computers and Internet devices will help us to work as other local NGOs in Somaliland, We don’t want to work manually, so far, and we will engage utilization of the Technology. We acknowledge NAFIS Network and ISF who have supported us with these desktop computers, Said Halimo Muse, from KAABA SHG Federation.
Emphasizing the importance of the SHG approach in poverty alleviation, and women empowerment in different aspects.
Ahmed Mire stated that Distributing desktop computers and internet devices will change their professional skills with a good work ethic. As ISF we are satisfied with the work you have done, this equipment will support you to communicate with different stakeholders internally and externally, and this will enable you to shift your work from a traditional system into more technology engagement, Said Ahmed Mire, From ISF.
Glancing back the establishment of the SHG, and the challenges they faced; the Chairperson of Nafis Network,
Mrs., Khadra Omer, Said “ We have come a long way and have taken many challenges, which has guided us to get here today and overcome all these challenges; I have been for last 20 years in local NGOs in Somaliland, I have not seen a project that is more valuable and more profitable than the SHGs project implemented in Somaliland, which changed the lives of the poor people in Somaliland; I hope this program will reach all towns and villages in Somaliland; I am encouraging SHGs members to keep their collaboration and protect their rights. I urge the Danwadaag community to support female candidates in the upcoming election in Somaliland.
Finally, the Executive Director of Nafis Network, Mr. Abdurrahman Osman, highlighted the advantage of distributed Desktop Computers and internet Devices for SHG members, especially in Cluster level Associations (CLA).
He stated that Nafis Network is committed to supporting all levels of the SHGs to alleviate poverty at the family level and to empower women and girls to have the opportunity to participate in socio-economic, and political participation. He encouraged the CLAs members to utilize and use the best way the desktop computers and internet devices, he mentions this will not be the last thing we hand over to you, but it will be one of the things that we supported to scale up the services they provide by Danwadaag SHG organizations. The Director of NAFIS handed over to the Vice President of the Kaaba SHG Federation in different items including, computer, Internet device, and electric Distribution, Flash or USP device
The offices of 90 organizations under the Danwadaag Umbrella (35000+ Members) have been technologically modernized. The organizations are founded inside the vulnerable communities living in the same area, equal in living, housing & economically, to be developed. https://twitter.com/cabdirashed/status/1388055163903094784
It is gratifying that the women united under the Danwadaag umbrella of Self Help Group in Somaliland have received 90 desktop computer accessories and internet devices, and 90 of their offices have modernized; members in Danwadaag selected from the homogenous groups from IDPs and currently has 35,000 female members. Said DG of Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF)
