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Horn of Africa Development Initiative

Commonwealth Point of Light 68. Fatuma Abdulkadir Adan

Fatuma Abdulkadir Adan, representing Kenya, has created an internationally renowned football programme to bring together two communities with a history of conflict, the Gabra and Borana.

Fatuma Abdulkadir Adan

Football fanatic Fatuma, whose parents are from the two communities, set up ‘Horn of Africa Development Initiative’, to bring people together by championing peace and development in Marsabit. She developed the FIFA supported ‘Shoot to Score Not To Kill’ initiative which gets young people from the Gabra and Briana tribes communities playing football together and working as advocates for peace. The programme operates in 20 primary schools. Fatuma is a former UK Chevening scholar and a 2011 recipient of the Stuttgart Peace Prize in recognition of her work.

Nic Hailey, UK High Commissioner in Kenya, said:

“Fatuma is a most deserving recipient of a Commonwealth Points of Light Award. She has dedicated a huge amount of time championing peace and development in Marsabit, bringing communities with a history of conflict together and promoting the rights of women and girls through her internationally renowned football initiative, ‘Shoot to Score Not To Kill’. As a UN Champion on Gender Equality for the Sustainable Development Goals, Fatuma’s selfless work is helping to bring fundamental change, building the foundations for a safer and harmonious future for communities in Kenya.”

Fatuma said:  

“I am truly humbled to have been selected as a recipient of the Point of Light Award which is a huge honour bestowed on me as a person and my organisation ‘Horn of Africa Development Initiative (HODI)’. A journey that we started 15 years ago was to give a voice to the girls and women while being a champion for peace and development in my home county Marsabit. Today, over 10,000 persons have been impacted; it is the beginning of a greater journey and the next step as we scale our models of shoot to score and breaking the silence while building resilience communities with only 10 Shillings per day per household. At times you need someone to shine the light on your small steps to make them great strides and this is what the Point of Light Award and recognition has done for me and ‘HODI’.”

Pictured below: Fatuma receiving her award from UK High Commissioner in Kenya, Nic Hailey

Fatuma receiving her Commonwealth Points of Light award from Nic Hailey

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