(ERGO) – A mechanic in Adado, Galgadud region, has turned his vehicle and solar repair garage into a free training centre for young men mostly from rural areas, where their traditional livelihoods collapsed due to drought.
Ahmed Dable has trained 105 participants over the past few months, and all of them are now earning a living to support their families.
“Most of them came from rural areas,” Dable said. “Those we have seen learn and succeed in this work are mainly from rural communities. Some people born or raised in towns also join, but this is difficult work. Many give up when they see how demanding it is. Those who benefit most and fully succeed in the programme are mainly people from rural areas.”
One of Dable’s trainees, Qasim Mohamed Abdi, has been working regularly as a mechanic for a month, earning at least $10 a day repairing vehicles at competitive prices.
“My life is better now,” Qasim said. “Without work or a skill, a person can face many challenges in life and in meeting daily needs.”
Qasim said the job, his first, had given him confidence and improved his family of eight’s circumstances. He stays in regular contact with his trainer for advice when he faces difficulties and hopes to further develop his skills.
The training ended a long period of unemployment for him. He was encouraged to join the training by friends and was attracted by not having to pay.
“When I had no money, I needed help. I could not afford to pay for training,” he said. “I needed someone to support me. My first step was to learn so I could work, support myself and serve the needs of my community.”
Qasim’s family moved from rural areas to Adado in 2025 after poor rains caused a shortage of pasture and water, killing 50 goats that had been their only source of income. They struggled to survive in the town and had to seek help from better-off relatives, and sometimes went hungry.
He has since moved them out of a displacement camp to a $30 a month rented two-room house in town, relieving them of the water shortages and poor shelter they endured in the camp for a year.
Abdullahi Mohamed Ibrahim, another of Dable’s trainees, has been working as a mechanic for nearly two months earning at least $250 a month that supports his parents and seven siblings.
“This job has given me the better life and progress I had hoped for,” Abdullahi said. “Compared with my previous life, I am now a skilled and knowledgeable person whom others depend on.”
Abdullahi was among the first trainees at Dable’s centre. He had spent three years looking for work, walking around the town asking for work, but lacked any skills. He said many young people who moved to the town around the same time were also unemployed, with some turning to drugs amid the difficult conditions they faced.
Mahad also began training young people in solar technology earlier this month, teaching them how to install and troubleshoot solar systems. The trainees have not yet started working in the field, but the
skill is increasingly important as the use of solar energy grows in Somalia. The centre provides two days of practical training each week to give hands-on experience and a better understanding of the work.
Abdullahi, now Mahad’s assistant trainer, believes passionately in the importance of learning skills.
“If you learn one, you can support yourself and your family. I always encourage people not to sit idle or give up, but to work hard. I have big goals. I have achieved some and still have others to reach.”
Abdullahi said six months of employment had significantly improved his family’s living conditions. Two months ago, he enrolled four of his siblings in school after they had previously been unable to attend because of their family’s financial circumstances.
He plans to open his own garage and has started saving for the $2,000 he needs to get started by setting aside at least $30 each month.
