Hawa Abdi

Activist Type

Children's Rights

Dr. Hawa Abdi is a physician and human rights activist who established the Rural Health Development Organisation (RHDO) to serve rural Somali women. Despite the bloody civil war which erupted in the early ‘90’s, Abdi remained in Somalia establishing a new clinic as well as a school for displaced children and orphans. In 2007, Abdi transformed the RHDO into the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation (DHAF) which she runs with her two daughters. The DHAF expanded its operations to include a relief camp that has provided health services, shelter, and food for over 2 million Somalis and up to 90,000 people at once during the drought of 2011. Abdi has been called “the Mother Teresa of Somalia” and has received various accolades for her service including a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2012.

Artwork by

Tatjana Junker

When researching the portrait of Dr. Hawa Abdi, I was deeply impressed by her work and inspired by her generosity and drive to help others. I aimed to capture her warm nature and achievements, dressing her in Somali blue and using warm tones to reflect the lives she has changed. The background features Dr. Abdi’s humanitarian work, such as the school and clinic she opened, and the outer frame uses a pattern of Somali woven fabrics.

My work spans the editorial and design fields, offering a glimpse into a playful mind with a passion for sketching and figures. Each illustration strives to inspire, raise awareness, and evoke emotions. I infuse my work with humor, authenticity, bold colors, and a love for detail. Driven by a love for storytelling, I aim to convey voices and messages accessible to everyone, even when addressing complex topics.

Somalia

Capital

Mogadishu

Founded

July 1, 1960

Demonym

Somali