How a Somali Woman Is Empowering Displaced Communities in Cairo, Egypt

• Salma Osman Abdi, Executive Director of the SAFWAC Foundation, leads efforts to support displaced communities and refugees in Egypt.
• Founded in 2011 and officially registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity in 2022, the NGO focuses on empowering women, children, youth, and the elderly.

Core Services

• Education and Awareness: Trainings designed to improve individual personal and professional capabilities.
• Psychosocial and Legal Protection: Counseling and legal aid to address the trauma and hardships of displacement.
• Cultural and Literary Services: Programs promoting identity preservation and integration into host communities.
• Space for Creativity: Providing therapeutic spaces for community members to bond and share talents.
• Volunteer Preparation: Equipping volunteers to contribute effectively to the community.

Community Impact and Vision

• While rooted in the Somali community, SAFWAC provides inclusive support to refugees from various backgrounds, including Yemen, Palestine, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Syria.
• The organization has recently expanded operations to Mogadishu, focusing on promoting reading and literature to foster a better-informed society.
• Long-term goals involve expanding programs to ensure dignified living conditions for all vulnerable populations, with a focus on building a balanced and healthy society.