Photographer and blogger at IOM Somali Mission, focused on visual storytelling, communication, and content that informs, inspires, and connects people.
I am a photographer and blogger with a passion for visual storytelling and communication. I currently work as a Communications Assistant at IOM Somali Mission, where I support impactful storytelling and content creation.
Through my work, I focus on capturing meaningful moments and sharing stories that inform, inspire, and connect people.
Latest Blogs
Reflections on photography, communication, and meaningful stories from the field.
Six Years in Mogadishu: A Journey of Growth and Resilience
Exactly six years ago today, on August 1, 2018, I came to Mogadishu with a mission to study at university. It was the second time I had left my birthplace, Haba...
Yusuf Banani
Exactly six years ago today, on August 1, 2018, I came to Mogadishu with a mission to study at university. It was the second time I had left my birthplace, Habare, Bay, Somalia, for study. Four years earlier, in 2015, I went to Baidoa to pursue a secondary education because there was no high school in Habare. When I finished secondary school in Baidoa in May 2018, there were only a few universities in Baidoa at that time, and I was interested in attending a university in the capital city of Mogadishu.
I arrived in Mogadishu to study when the city was relatively stable compared to its more turbulent past. However, the main challenge I faced was the distance between Ex-Kontrol Afgoi village in Dharkenley District, where I stayed with relatives, and the university campus. The daily commute was long, and the transportation options were limited and often unreliable.
To address this, I managed to move to Hodan District, Taleh, when I started at City University in September 2018. Taleh was more centrally located and better connected to the university, which made my daily commute much easier.
Despite these logistical challenges, I was a motivated young man, full of energy and determination to excel in my studies. Moving to Mogadishu to pursue my education was a challenging decision at the time, but it proved to be one of the best choices I ever made.
During my six years in Mogadishu, I have cultivated a career and uncovered my inner potential. I benefited from educational opportunities and amenities that wouldn’t have been accessible to me otherwise. The city’s abundance of resources and key public services is undoubtedly a factor contributing to its overpopulation and insecurity.
In the first four years, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management Science and earned two diplomas in Social Work and English. Upon finishing the foundation program in English in March 2019, I was given the opportunity to be recruited as a home-based English teacher.
During my time in Mogadishu, I discovered my talents and career path. A significant milestone was earning a Diploma in Digital Storytelling (Photography, Videography, and Blog Writing) from Digital Shelter. This challenging yet rewarding nine-month program equipped me with valuable skills that I am now actively applying in my work.
Achievement and success are relative. However, my accomplishments over the past six years in Mogadishu have not been smooth and easy. Security has been and remains the major menace. In several areas, I was close to explosions and suicide attacks. For instance, the Hayat Hotel car bombing on August 20, 2022, was very close to where I was staying.
Throughout my six years in Mogadishu, I have experienced the loss of friends and relatives. My strong faith in Allah and the understanding that my time here is predetermined have helped me navigate daily life in the city with a sense of peace and reduced stress.
After six years, I feel I have accomplished many of my goals. However, my journey is far from complete. I remain committed to working diligently to contribute to the improvement of society.
Peace and security are what I most wish for Mogadishu. After six years here, my love for the city has only grown stronger. Mogadishu has greatly impacted my life, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to live in such a wonderful place.
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