Keep hope alive

Stay Alive in Somalia

The Stay Alive program was developed to be adapted to all cultures. This was evidenced in June 2005 when Jastus Suchi Obadiah, our African Area Stay Alive trainer, went to Somalia, the first Islamic country to implement the Stay Alive program, and trained new leaders in Dallaalo. Mr. Obadiah instructed seven Dallaalo workers how to train teachers and parents in the Stay Alive curriculum. The Somali people said that there were no cultural obstacles facing the Stay Alive program. The individuals that were trained proved to be competent in preparing additional trainers.

The Stay Alive program has been implemented in ten schools in three districts of Benadir Region, Mogadishu—two Community Schools, two Informal Schools and six Formal Schools. Stay Alive has been taught to 2030 children and 119 parents.

In Somalia, it is not common for mothers to have open communication with their children, especially on sensitive topics. The Stay Alive program has empowered parents to communicate with their children on the important matters that can lead to helping children live long, healthy and loving lives. Mr. Obadiah reported that his trainees liked the parent participation component which encourages parent-child communication. The trainees said that they will work to prepare the parents/guardians to communicate with their children and parent training will be a major activity at the schools.

Stay Alive is a program that strengthens family ties and facilitates discussion between parents/guardians and children. One trainees said, “Parents in Somalia need a program like Stay Alive because they have little time with their children. Children need to have a direct link with their fathers without passing through their mothers. Stay Alive can help them do that.”

During the training session in Somalia, a decision was made to target children in both Quoran schools and primary schools for Stay Alive education.