Dini Khalif, Puntland Sports and Fitness Center, Bosaso

Dini Khalif grew up in Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia where Mr Khalif always thought working a regular job for an employer cannot elevate one from poverty, Dini went to school in Bosaso as soon as he finished studying he started working and he had his fair share of working for employers as he witnessed firsthand what he had feared already that working a job cannot help one find financial freedom.

Yet, Dini discovered that entrepreneurship and starting a private business can really get him financial freedom and that he can help himself and support his family and community through it, But Dini lacked any experience and it was difficult for him to find a place to learn how to start, sustain and scale a business but with all his passion he also faced a bigger problem of finding money to start the business with.

As he was about to start university studies, Dini family could not pay for his university tuition, and soon he will be left to be responsible for his family, With all the pressures up against him he looked for opportunities but came out dry and when he was about to give up he came across Shaqodoon’s lead program which Shaqodoon conducts every year for the youth to provide them with the proper training, business mentorship and find them funding opportunities upon completion, Dini applied for the program with a business idea aiming to learn about business, Dini was lucky enough to be selected to participate in this program he started working with enthusiasm. He learned on various important issues related to starting, growing and financing business during his training.

The two weeks intensive lead program training culminated in a pitching competition in Mogadisho, In 2018 November Dini won the competition with his idea for a Sports and Fitness Center in Bosaso. Not only his idea was under the assessment but the presentation itself that ended with an ask for funding and support. The valuable input he gained through the program helped him eventually win and collect three thousand dollars in seed money from Shaqodoon.

The Sports and fitness center in Bosaso acts as a hub that connects the youth stopping them from crime and also youth mass migration from their country, Dini with the help of the skills and knowledge he gained through the program training started two other businesses in Bosaso a medical training center and a medical clinic, “If I would not receive the business training from Shaqodoon I would never realize the importance of a finding business partners and would not know how to run a business.” says Dini Khalif appreciating how this opportunity has turned his dreams into reality, he have also stated that prior joining the program he was clueless and would never survive running a business or even find the funds to start and achieve the long dream of employing his peers. 

“If I would not receive the business training from Shaqodoon I would never realize the importance of a finding business partners and would not know how to run a business.”

Dini Khalif, Owner of Bosaso Sports and Fitness Center