Mohamed's father died before he was born and his mother had a mental breakdown two years later. Looking after six children became impossible for her and she moved to the town of Galkayo, 54 km away, to live with her sister. Abdi Farah was left to look after his six grandchildren alone.

Even without such setbacks, life in Roh is arduous. Crops don't grow easily through Mudug's dry earth. The land is parched, and for three months of the year Roh is hit by dry and fierce winds that whip up sandstorms.

Most people live as herdsmen, surviving off their animals, but when the rains come they manage to grow some crops.

When Roh gets a good rainfall, news spreads throughout Mudug and nomads head there with their animals to find pasture. It is part of the Roh tradition to help others and to welcome the nomads that journey through Mudug, but things are slowly changing.
 
Abdi Farah tries to make ends meet by collecting firewood and selling it to the other villagers, but with six children to support, the money he earns doesn't go very far.

"I have never been rich, but in the past I have been able to support my family. It is not the same now. Who at my age can bring up six children with twenty goats and one donkey?"

When Islamic Relief aid workers visited Roh, they met Abdi Farah and registered his grandson on to Islamic Relief’s orphan’s project.

The sponsorship received helps the family pay for food and shelter, as well as to provide healthcare and education for Mohamed, greatly reducing Abdi Farah’s burden.

Find out more about Islamic Relief's Orphan Sponsorship programme

Find out more about Islamic Relief in Somalia