Daariz App, breaking language barrier in Eastleigh and empowering Somali diaspora
In Eastleigh, Nairobi the heart of the Somali diaspora in Kenya, a groundbreaking language app is making waves among the community.
In Eastleigh, Nairobi the heart of the Somali diaspora in Kenya, a groundbreaking language app is making waves among the community. Daariz, developed by the Sahamiye Foundation, is proving to be a game-changer for East Africans striving to read and write in their native Somali language.
Founded by Ismail Ahmed, a Somali-born business mogul, the Sahamiye Foundation is on a mission to transform lives through literacy and education, particularly in the Horn of Africa. Daariz, meaning "study" in Arabic, is the foundation's free language app, launched in 2021, that aims to address the region's low literacy rates.
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Amid the challenges faced by the Horn of Africa, including the absence of rural schools, Daariz has emerged as a beacon of hope. With a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, the app targets learners of all ages across Somaliland, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya.
The Somali diaspora, scattered across the globe in Europe, America, and other parts of the world, has also embraced Daariz as a means of preserving their language and culture. As more than 350,000 children and adults engage with the app, stories of triumph and resilience echo within Somali communities worldwide.
A user of the app in Eastleigh, Ahmed Abdi, expressed his gratitude, saying, "Daariz has opened new doors for me. I can now read and write in Somali, which is a source of pride. It's like carrying a piece of home with me wherever I go."
Penina Owaki who is originally from Busia, and works as a house help in Eastleigh’s California area says “thanks to Daariz App, I can effectively get instructions from my Somali employer”
The app's impact extends beyond the digital realm, reaching into the lives of women and girls facing significant educational barriers. With 48 per cent of Daariz learners being women and girls, the app has become a tool for empowerment, enabling them to acquire literacy skills remotely.
Daariz incorporates culturally relevant elements, such as virtual camels and badges, to engage learners. Earning a herd of a hundred 'virtual camels,' symbols of wealth in Somali culture, signifies the achievement of functional literacy—a milestone celebrated by learners in Eastleigh and beyond.
Responding to the success of Daariz, Ismail Ahmed, the founder of The Sahamiye Foundation, remarked, "Daariz fills a critical gap in the Horn of Africa, providing accessible and engaging literacy education where it's most needed. The 350,000 learners are not just a number but a testament to our shared belief in the transformative power of literacy."
As the diaspora, whether in Eastleigh, Europe, America, or scattered across the globe, embraces Daariz, the app continues to be a catalyst for change, turning stories of struggle into narratives of triumph and offering a brighter future through the transformative power of education.
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