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Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 18,
2009 (SL Times) – Two Somaliland citizens who work in Sudan, donated
$1500 to a center that takes care of the mentally ill. The two
individuals who donated the money are Naima Ahmed Mumin Qudus who works
for the UN and Dr. Yusuf who works in Darfur. The mental illness center
is run by an organization called SAHAN.
The Chairman of SAHAN, Mr Bashir Jama, spoke at a ceremony in which the
donation was formally received by SAHAN. Mr Bashir Jama said that
initially the two Somaliland citizens in Sudan gave a donation of food,
but because they saw how urgently the center needed help, they
subsequently gave cash donation. Mr Bashir Jama emphasized the
importance of the work of the center and urged Somalilanders, especially
the well-to-do, to contribute to the center.
Sheikh Adan H. Mahmud (Sh. Adan Siiro), a strong supporter of SAHAN also
spoke. He attributed the prevalence of mental illness in Somaliland to
the many years of war, but more importantly to the chewing of Qat. He
said it is estimated that 90% of mental illness is caused by the chewing
of qat. He said although he is not saying it should be banned,
nevertheless, it is a fact that the Qat plant is responsible for a lot
of problems and has brought a lot of difficulties to the people “waa
geed dhib badan baan leeyahay waa geed ummada dhibaato ku ah”.
Other participants in the event were the Minister of Aviation, Mr Ali
Muhammad Waran Adde, the Chairman of Somaliland Medical Association,
Dr:Ahmed Gaas, and a member of Hargeysa City Council, Mr Muhammad
Abdillahi Ur Adde.
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