Somalilandsun- For many people it is easy to stereotype Somalis as agents of terrorism, annoying refugees, gun-wielding pirates or competing warlords. Not the peaceful, resilient people they really are, say the team behind Somali Faces– an online project highlighting the everyday stories of Somalis around the world.
Ever since the civil war broke out in 1991, millions of Somalis have sought refuge abroad. Some stayed in the region, others made their way to Europe and continue to do so. And according to The United Nations refugee agency said “hopes of greater stability” have led to waves of refugees returning to Somalia, but a further 1 million remain internally displaced, mostly in the south, which has been blighted by violence at the hands of Islamist militant group al-Shabaab.
But Somalis live to tell powerful stories as depicted by a project that shows the true face of Somalis, From the boy who wants peace to the activist who lost her legs in a landmine blast, their stories challenge stereotypes while promising and determined to “ make their fragmented country great again’:
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