Written By. Abdirashid Ali Yousuf
Yusuf is a young Somali entrepreneur. He was born in a rural area near Burao. “I have 12 brothers and 5 sisters. I was the youngest son of the family. Although every one of my family loved me, the nomadic life is not an easy and lovely life. Really, it is a very complicated life. There was neither enough water nor enough food. We had 200 sheep and 73 camels; although we had that wealth it was difficult to get shelter and food.”
At the age of thirteen he ran away from his nomadic family and he entered Burao. In the first year he worked during the first half of the day as a shoeshiner and the other half he was taking classes. The little money he earned, he used for his daily living expenses. Some of the money he spent on meals and the remainder he saved. “I was trying to live in a brand new town where I didn’t know anyone except one relative. He helped me to find a job better than shoe-shiner. Finally I got construction work and I got paid little amount of daily wage.”
He attended a private school where he learned English language and mathematics. After months he started primary school. He completed primary and secondary while working in different places such as construction, restaurants and cafeterias. He attended university where he studied business and public administration. After graduating from university with a bachelor degree, he got a job with a construction company where he got paid a fair salary.
After a year,Yusuf established his own business selling computers and other various electronic devices. “While I was working I saved some amount of money to start my business. Now my business is developing day after day. . Now I have two houses and two cars. One is delivery van and the other is my personal car. The houses and my car, a luxurious red with comfortable seats, is the envy of my friends.”
Yusuf wants to become a famous and rich man. He also wants to continue his education. “I want to develop my business. Now I am going to Malaysia where I will study for my masters degree.”
Abdirashiid Ali Aw Yusuf sabradiin@gmail.com
