Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Sponsorship Program Restored Hope and Stability for 134 Orphans in Somaliland

In Somaliland, losing a parent often means losing more than emotional support. It can mean food insecurity, interrupted schooling, and delayed medical care, all at once. Across Somalia, an estimated 3.6 million children are out of school, and nearly half of all children live in multidimensional poverty, according to UN agencies. For orphans, the risk compounds quickly, especially in households already stretched by unemployment and rising living costs. 

In communities like Borama and Hargeisa, guardians frequently take in orphaned relatives despite limited income, absorbing new responsibilities with few resources. Education expenses, basic nutrition, and healthcare are often the first things sacrificed. Without support, many children fall behind in school or drop out entirely. 

To help stabilize families and protect children’s futures, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) completed its Orphan Sponsorship distribution for Quarter 1 of 2024 on October 16, 2025, reaching 134 orphaned children across Somaliland. Each child received direct sponsorship support intended to help cover essential needs, including food, clothing, school fees, learning materials, and basic healthcare. LIFE implemented the project directly through its Somaliland office, working with local volunteers, community elders, and officials to verify beneficiaries and ensure transparent distribution, including setting up multiple accessible distribution points in Borama to overcome transportation barriers. 

For Umayma Mahdi, a 12-year-old orphan living with her older sister in Borama, the support meant returning to school with confidence. “I was able to buy school shoes, pay for my tuition, and get learning materials,” she said. “Now I dream of becoming a teacher who inspires others.” 

In Hargeisa, 15-year-old Cafaaf Omer described how the assistance eased daily stress at home. “We were able to buy food and hygiene items,” she said, explaining how the support brought comfort and dignity back to her household and helped her focus more fully on her studies. 

LIFE’s Orphan Sponsorship Program intervenes at critical moments. By easing the financial burden on guardians, LIFE’s orphan sponsorship helps children stay nourished, remain in school, and feel secure enough to plan for the future. With continued community coordination and donor support, these efforts do more than meet immediate needs; they help ensure that loss does not define a child’s entire life story.