Yasmin Ibrahim Ali, 27, is celebrating financial independence after topping her college class – despite having had only two years of formal education – and getting a job in the same college in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
All that – and she is disabled due to a bout of childhood polio that left her without use of her legs.
Yasmin came first among 1,200 studying courses in information technology and languages in 2023-24 at Iqra Institute in Hargeisa. This impressive achievement led to her being offered the job of head of student admissions at the institute.
Yasmin explained that the job had brought significant positive changes to her life, allowing her to support her elderly mother on her $130 monthly salary.
“As a young woman with disability, working has been empowering. I no longer have to ask for help, I can manage things by myself. It has also allowed me to integrate more fully into society, collaborate with others, and improve my work capacity,” she told Radio Ergo.
Yasmin has been determined to break negative stereotypes about people with disabilities. She is a strong advocate for their potential and has launched a campaign encouraging others to pursue careers and education.
Her ambitions go beyond her current role and this year she plans to continue her education studying IT to university level. She aims to develop her skills further and to become a businesswoman, showing her community what she and others like her can achieve.
“There is no one with a disability who has been recognised as a businesswoman or as part of the business sector. I want to be the first to break that barrier,” she shared.
Her journey has been fraught with obstacles and remains so. She uses a wheelchair but as most buildings lack disabled access or lifts, she has to climb up the stairs dragging herself up with her hands. Mobility during the rainy season when everywhere becomes muddy is even more difficult.
She bought her wheelchair for $1,500 on credit and has been able to pay off $500.
At the age of three, Yasmin fell seriously ill. Living in remote rural Sabawanag, her family sought treatment from local healers that provided no relief. Medical doctors later confirmed the condition was polio and had progressed beyond the point of effective treatment.
Growing up in a nomadic family, she did not go to school. However, in 2005 her family moved to Hargeisa to live with other relatives, giving Yasmin the opportunity to access better resources. She began pursuing education independently at home. The first time she ever attended a formal educational centre was when she enrolled at Iqra Institute in 2023.
Looking to the future, Yasmin says she plans to expand her educational and professional horizons. Her goals include not only furthering her own education, but also helping others with disability to gain access to similar opportunities.
She dreams of seeing more job opportunities and workspaces created specifically for people with disabilities, run by and for them.
Yasmin is currently writing a book about her life, struggles, and triumphs that she hopes to publish soon to inspire others and raise awareness about the potential of individuals with disabilities.
