Our Story – YouthFul

Born in exile. Built with hope. Rooted in home.

In 2022, a group of young Somali refugees living in Uganda came together around a simple, powerful desire: to change the future of our homeland.

Displaced by conflict and hardship, we knew what it meant to live without peace, opportunity, or a voice. But we also knew the strength, resilience, and untapped potential of Somali youth- especially those left behind.

We started as a small community group, organizing discussions, peer support, and dreaming about a better Somalia, one where young people didn’t have to flee to survive. Over time, our purpose became clear: we weren’t just surviving; we were preparing to lead.

With support from our networks and a deep commitment to our communities, we returned to Somalia to plant the seeds of change. We founded YouthFul, a youth-led, youth-focused organization that exists to empower Somali youth to lead the transformation of their own communities.

Today, YouthFul is more than an idea. We are a growing movement of young people working on the frontlines of peacebuilding, climate resilience, livelihoods, and girls’ empowerment. From Mogadishu to rural villages, we are turning displacement into leadership, and loss into purpose.

Because we believe the future of Somalia must be shaped by youth, for youth and it starts now.