Our Founder
The foundation of Hano Academy was laid in August 2011 when Dr. Sadiyo Siad, the founder and CEO of Eva Organization for Women (also known as EOW-Charity), embarked on philanthropic work in Somalia to provide humanitarian aid to drought and famine victims. During her time in Somalia, Dr. Siad initiated a pilot project aimed at empowering youth and women. This marked the beginning of our journey. Since then, we have been operating on a modest scale, conducting extensive research not only in Somalia but also in other Somali regions, including the Somali Region (Jigjiga) in Ethiopia. Our focus has been on studying the pressing issue of youth unemployment and the financial struggles faced by women. Through our research efforts, we discovered that a large number of young people and women endure abject poverty. Moreover, the education system in Somalia has failed to adequately prepare learners for the demands of the job market. Outdated teaching methods and a lack of innovation have resulted in the production of underqualified graduates who struggle to thrive in today's competitive 15global workplace. Recognizing these challenges, Dr. Sadiyo Siad took the initiative to officially register Hano Academy in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2014.
Hano Academy
The vision of Hano Academy is to equip, support, and uplift learners in Somalia. We initially started with three departments: Professional Development Courses, Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programs, and employability skills training. Additionally, we provide vital support through the Hano Social Innovation Hub, which serves as a business start- up incubator, accelerator, and networking platform. The term Hano holds significant meaning. In the Somali language, it translates to "Achieve" or "Attain Your Objectives." This name represents the multiple social enterprise ventures under the Hano brand, all of which contribute to Somalia's economy, education, employment opportunities, and social development. At Hano Academy, we firmly believe that educating and providing skills training, along with job security, to youth and women is the key to creating safer, more prosperous, and inclusive societies. By addressing these fundamental issues, we aim to reduce criminal activities, alleviate illegal migratory pressures, and unlock the untapped economic potential within Somalia.
