A year ago, I had the privilege of joining the Somali Public Agenda (SPA), one of the esteemed think tanks in the country. SPA is run by locally educated Somalis and focuses on policy and governance issues in Somalia and the regions. As I stepped in, I was warmly welcomed by a group of enthusiastic professionals dedicated to researching and raising public awareness of governance and public service matters.

My first encounter with SPA was through a blog writing training they offered to young Somali youth in July 2022. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of that training and learned how to write compelling blogs that effectively convey my messages. During the blog writing course, I met people from various educational backgrounds who all shared the same ambition of creating impactful blog posts. It was a wonderful opportunity to interact, exchange ideas, and build valuable networks.

Months later, our paths crossed again when I secured a three-month internship at SPA. Those three months were filled with opportunities, knowledge, and skills imparted to me in the best possible way, allowing me to expand my connections with people from various sectors. During my internship, I participated in daily SPA tasks, ranging from administrative work to research projects and forums. I also had the chance to learn different skills through valuable online courses they provided to interns. It was a great experience for me, and I even wrote a blog post about it, which was published the Reflections from our Team section of the SPA website.

Upon completing my internship, I was offered a full-time position as a Research Assistant and Coordinator for SPA’s Center for Learning and Development (CLD). It was another excellent opportunity to apply the skills I had learned and contribute to SPA’s mission.

As a full-time staff member, my responsibilities doubled, and new challenges emerged. Nevertheless, I performed my tasks to the best of my ability. As the Learning Coordinator, I organized SPA’s trainings, facilitated connections between students and their supervisors, and tracked their progress while handling the necessary documentation throughout the courses.

Additionally, as a Research Assistant, I participated in various research projects, both in the field and at the desk. This role not only expanded my skillsets but also allowed me to explore our beautiful land, travel to cities I had never visited, and interact with people from different parts of Somalia with diverse cultures and accents. I was amazed by the vastness of our country and saddened by conflicts and deep-seated grievances among our people. Through my work at SPA, I gained a deeper understanding of the history of these conflicts, their root causes, and their impacts on people’s lives and development, hoping that one day these communities will embrace peace and coexistence.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my journey with SPA has come to an end. However, I prefer to see it as a pause, not an ending, as I hope our paths will cross again in the future. In the meantime, I would like to express my gratitude and acknowledgment to the dedicated SPA team. My sincere thanks go to the Executive Director, Mr. Mahad Wasuge, and the Deputy Director and my supervisor, Mr. Farhan Isak Yusuf, who mentored me throughout my internship and beyond. I also cherish the friendships I formed with the entire SPA team, who were very welcoming and kind. Lastly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my friend Farhia for being such a good friend and sharing her valuable experiences with me.

Bahja Ahmed Mohamed