By Hashi Abdillahi Hassan

Reading and writing are the key secrets behind academic success and the principal means of obtaining practical knowledge and experience. Becoming literate is the primary way one can achieve his/her desired goals in life. Developed societies have used reading and writing to create miraculous innovations in technology and other sciences to completely change the global life style, create a new world socio-economical system and enable man to compete over the moon.

These days founding an organization without a clearly defined vision and mission has become a widespread issue among a young population which has been focused on seeking projects from the UN agencies and international funding organizations. It ' s an act of incompetence and social backwardness to seek foreign assistance, waiting for projects from donor agencies and wasting our precious time wandering around aimlessly.   This is entirely contrary to the positive rational of human society.

I was absolutely attracted and stimulated by the act of inviting young graduates to read an existing book, and then summarize and present in public. This is a golden opportunity that will surely equip the presenters with public speaking skills and self- confidence.   It is also an inspiration to all who have the ambition to be writers, novelists, columnists and social researchers.   Having attended several well organized events facilitated by Hargeysa Reader ' s Club (HRC) I have been very happy to observe the genius idea of giving future authors and young graduates the platform to exercise what they have learnt through creative dialogues and discussions with their young counterparts.

Establishing such youth-led initiatives will improve the thinking capacity of our young people and will pave the way for potential creativity and intellectualism based on practical research and innovations that will surely motivate the young thinkers.   This will help us change our country into a more prosperous environment free from conflict and other harmful practices such as injustice, tribalism, nepotism, drug dealings and all kinds of socially offensive acts.

The purpose of this brief article is to congratulate and bear witness to the contribution of HRC to our society. In fact it is a totally new idea, flourishing from academic and open minded young scholars.   These young people have certainly felt the importance of introducing such a civilized culture to the society in order to replace the oral based historical recordings of our community and encourage future generations to follow the clearly cleaned paths pioneered by their predecessors.

History records reflect the roles, responsibilities and contributions of every citizen to his community, so keep in mind that your contribution is relevant and highly appreciated among the change wishers and development oriented individuals. Conversely be tolerant in case of the reverse as the culture of thanks and encouragement is completely absent from our society.   They may instead openly disapprove of those involved in developmental projects and those who aspire to make a comprehensive change in their communities.

It is a pleasure to all young open minded citizens and well wishers to congratulate and support the initiative by HRC as this can not only provide them moral support but also may help them double their mission of empowering and strengthening the reading and writing status of Somaliland society by conducting writing forums, public gatherings, establishing libraries and developing TV and Radio programs.

It is not our culture to say thanks for the discovery of new inventions and developmental innovations, but I believe it ' s the time to congratulate goodness and condemn badness. Therefore, let us encourage the above effort and show our absolute support by uniting for the investment in healthy and fresh minds.   So let me take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to HRC and express my thanks to this young dynamic group who have volunteered to train and educate our young population with the culture of reading and writing, the first of its kind in the context of the Somali environment.

Your contribution and literary involvement deserves our thanks and will give future thinkers and local philosophers a favorable environment decorated with well prepared paragraphs and research findings.

Yours Truly,

Hashi Abdillahi Hassan

Community Development Activist

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