Awil Mohamed is a 16 years old boy enrolled in IIDA’s rehabilitation program for ex-CAAFAG children.Awil was born in Dhusamareb in Galgudud region in central Somalia. His mother was divorced and he came to Mogadishu to stay with his uncle who was a soldier in the Somali army. Months later Awil joined the army after his uncle allowed him to join the armed forces so he could get paid and support his family back home in Dhusamareb.
One day, Child protection focal point Kuresh Moallim met with Awil and she told him about the IIDA rehabilitation program for ex-CAAFAG in Mogadishu and the different vocational skills trainings they provided. Awil shared the information about the IIDA center with his uncle, who welcomed the idea and encouraged Awil to enroll in the IIIDA center.
Today Awil is enrolled in IIDA center and learns plumbing skills. Awil said that since he left the armed forces, his life changed a lot. ‘’the reason I joined the army was at least to have something to live by and survive and since IIDA will be providing me with skills which are much more important and essential than what I had in the army I decided to join it for my better and brighter future. I always used to be aggressive and had problems with my friends and relatives, I quarreled with everybody in the community, now I’m so humble and get along with people more easily’’,Awil told Sagal, SPL M&E officer, who interviewed him.
Awil is now employed by water Supplier Company which provides water to the Dawirsh IDP settlements and surrounding areas. From observations of character and personality, Awil has really progressed and changed his behavior to live peacefully with the rest of the community
