The collapse of the Siad Barre regime and ensuing conflict which engulfed Somalia left much of the public infrastructure in Mogadishu in ruins.  In Waaberi District, the lack of multipurpose grounds where the community could meet worsened community relations. To enhance intra and inter-district relations and public confidence in the government, IOM supported the rehabilitation of the Waaberi District multipurpose ground. The works were completed in August 2011 and since then the ground has been used to host many community events.

On 4 January 2016, the district administration and the community celebrated World Braille Day with the Al-Basiir School of Blind at the Waaberi multipurpose ground. Members of the parliament, District Commissioners and more than 350 people attended the event.

“We are so glad to celebrate World Braille Day here in our district center and with our community and district administration. This gives us hope that our community is respecting us as special needs students,” said Abdirizak Dahir, an Al-Basiir School student.

Amina Osman, another student at Al-Basiir School described how the situation improved for blind people in recent years: “The situation now is not as it used to be years ago, now all members of the community are helping and celebrating with us, including the District Administration. Our society started believing that blind people are able to learn,” said Amina.

“I thank the district administration in helping us to celebrate World Braille Day. We also thank the community of the district, and I think events like this are reviving community values,” explained Yusuf Ali, Al-Basiir School worker.


Mogadishu residents attend the World Braille Day at Waaberi ground. © IOM/Mohamed Abdiwali 2016