Somali Civil War

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The Somali Civil War, which started in 1991 and is still going on, had a devastating impact on all Somali people, especially orphan mothers and their children, aggravating existing vulnerabilities and creating new challenges for everyone. The conflict caused many families to lose their fathers, who were mostly the sole providers of the family, which led to displacement, loss of other family members, and the disruption of all essential services like healthcare and food security, leaving many women with orphaned children in dire situations. 

While the war has impacted every segment of Somali society, one of the most overlooked and deeply affected groups is orphan mothers—women who lost their parents to the conflict and later became mothers themselves. These women face compounded vulnerabilities, including poverty, limited access to education, and healthcare.

Despite the immense challenges orphan mothers faced, they have shown remarkable resilience. 

Microfinancing can provide a lifeline for orphan mothers, especially in fragile environments like war-torn Somalia. Despite systemic barriers, it can provide access to small loans and financial services that will empower orphan mothers to build livelihoods, gain independence, and support their children. Microfinancing can help orphan mothers in many ways, including:

Economic Empowerment and Self-Reliance

Orphan mothers often lack access to traditional employment due to low education. Microfinance allows them to:

Start small businesses such as tailoring, selling goods in markets, or food preparation.

Generate steady income, enabling them to afford food, rent, school fees, and healthcare.

Reduce dependence on humanitarian aid.

Access to Capital Without Collateral

Most orphan mothers do not have assets, land, or credit history, which are common requirements for bank loans. 

Our program will 

provide orphan mothers with:

Collateral-free loans with low entry barriers.

Business training and support.

Create social groups where orphan mothers can support each other.building social bonds and trust.