23 years longing to find my mum
When Omar Mohamed was four, war came to his village in Somalia. His dad was killed and Omar was separated from his mum. So he grabbed his disabled younger brother Hassan and fled.
When war broke out in Somalia in the 1990s, Omar Mohamed鈥檚 dad was killed and he was separated from his mum. Omar, who was only four at that time, picked up his disabled younger brother Hassan and started running. The brothers eventually ended up in Kenya鈥檚 vast Dadaab refugee camp - the biggest refugee camp in Africa. For years, they never stopped looking for their mother. Until one day, rumours spread around the camp that a woman was looking for them. Could this stranger be Omar and Hassan鈥檚 mum?听
听
Omar's extraordinary story has been turned into a graphic novel co-written by Victoria Jamieson, and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy. It鈥檚 called When stars are scattered. Omar has set up his own charity called Refugee Strong.
听
Presenter: Jo Fidgen.
Producers: Katy Takatsuki and June Christie.
Picture: Omar Mohamed.
Credit: Patrick Blain.
Featured in...
![]()
Real life stories—Newsday
People who have overcome challenges and inspired others to do the same
Podcast
-
![]()
The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives
