The Inspire Us Team & Project

We strive to bring awareness and resources to Dadaab Refugee Camp

Who We Are

We are Alex & Dara, two young economists who founded the Inspire Us Podcast—a platform where we engage with some of the world’s most influential thinkers, leaders, and athletes. Our goal has always been to spark meaningful conversations, but now, we want to take it a step further—turning inspiration into action.

The Inspire Us Podcast: Global Conversations with World Leaders

Through our podcast, we’ve had the privilege of speaking with renowned academics, politicians, and sports legends from around the world. Some of our most notable guests include:

🎓 Academics like Sir Paul Collier and Alan Macfarlane, whose insights on economics, development, and history have shaped our understanding of the world.
🏛️ Politicians like Fawzia Koofi, a trailblazer in Afghan politics and a champion for women’s rights.
🥊 Sports icons like Jean Charles Skarbowsky, a Muay Thai legend who has inspired countless athletes.

Each conversation has reinforced our belief that knowledge, leadership, and action can create real change. Now, we want to use our platform, resources, and network to make a tangible difference in the world—starting with Inspire Us Dadaab.

How Inspire Us Dadaab Began: Podcast with Abdulahi

This project wouldn’t exist without Abdulahi Shafi Mohammed.

Abdulahi grew up in Dadaab Refugee Camp, where he saw firsthand the challenges and resilience of its people. He worked hard in school and earned a Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK, where we met him at University of London. His story, wisdom, and passion inspired us deeply—so much so that he became our very first podcast guest.

From that conversation, we realized we didn’t just want to talk about inspiring stories—we wanted to help create them. Abdulahi’s guidance and deep knowledge of Dadaab have been critical in shaping this project. He has advised us every step of the way, ensuring that Inspire Us Dadaab is genuine, impactful, and rooted in real community needs.

The Bigger Picture: The Inspire Us Network

We see Inspire Us Dadaab as the first of many future initiatives where we leverage our platform, connections, and skills to support communities in need. Whether through education, sports, or storytelling, we aim to uplift, empower, and create real opportunities for people around the world.

This isn’t just about one project—it’s about planting the seed for something bigger.

Let’s inspire change, together. 🚀
Learn More about Our Trusted Partner in Dadaab
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Our Trusted Partner in Dadaab : Community Aid Network (CAN)

Our key partner CAN is a refugee-led, registered organization in Dadaab that has been running projects in education, peacebuilding, and sports for years.

A Refugee-Led Organization Creating Real Change

Community Aid Network (CAN) is a refugee-led, community-based nonprofit organization operating in Dagahaley, Dadaab Refugee Camp. Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, CAN started as a self-help group focused on education, gender equality, peacebuilding, and sports as a tool for social change. Since then, it has grown into a legally registered organization that runs critical programs supporting refugees and vulnerable groups in Dadaab.

CAN’s goal is to create real change for refugees and vulnerable groups. Their mission is to:

🎓 Promote education for all—ensuring that children, including girls and students with disabilities, have access to learning.
🏆 Use sports for peacebuilding—bringing communities together through tournaments and teamwork.
💡 Empower refugees with life skills—helping them become self-reliant through mentorship and training.
🛡️ Prevent gender-based violence (GBV)—providing protection and awareness programs to support women and girls.

But CAN is not just an organization—it’s built by real people with real stories.

Meet Hamdi and Mohammed – The Leaders of CAN

CAN was co-founded by Hamdi and Mohammed, two inspiring individuals who grew up in Dadaab Refugee Camp and dedicated their lives to helping their community.

Hamdi: From Dadaab to Oxford

Hamdi was born and raised in Dadaab, where he faced the same struggles as thousands of refugees. But he never gave up on his education. His hard work and determination led him to earn a scholarship to study at Oxford University, one of the best universities in the world.

Hamdi has now graduated from Oxford and is committed to giving back. He understands what it takes to succeed despite the odds and is passionate about supporting young refugees in achieving their dreams.

Mohammed: A Leader in Refugee-Led Initiatives

Mohammed is the Executive Director of C.A.N and is also from Dadaab, and like Hamdi, he was able to study outside of the camp at the University of Kenya. He has dedicated his career to running multiple refugee-led programs and projects, focusing on education, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment.

But Mohammed is not just an organizer—he was also a talented football player and a trained nutritionist. He understands firsthand the power of sports in bringing hope, discipline, and motivation to young people.

Together, Hamdi and Mohammed lead CAN with a deep passion for helping refugees. Their personal experiences make them the perfect partners for this project.

Why We Partnered with CAN

When we planned Inspire Us Dadaab, we knew we needed trusted leaders on the ground to make this vision a reality. Our friend and project consultant, Abdulahi, introduced us to Mohammed and Hamdi, the co-founders of CAN. Their deep experience in community-driven initiatives and past success in organizing sports tournaments made them the perfect partners.

CAN will handle all tournament logistics—from organizing the 32 football teams and referees to setting up the fields, awards, and final match celebrations. Their expertise ensures that this project runs smoothly and makes a lasting impact.

CAN’s Mission: Building a Stronger, More Resilient Community

CAN’s goal is to create real change for refugees and vulnerable groups. Their mission is to:

🎓 Promote education for all—ensuring that children, including girls and students with disabilities, have access to learning.
🏆 Use sports for peacebuilding—bringing communities together through tournaments and teamwork.
💡 Empower refugees with life skills—helping them become self-reliant through mentorship and training.
🛡️ Prevent gender-based violence (GBV)—providing protection and awareness programs to support women and girls.

A Long-Term Partnership for Change

Inspire Us is proud to work with CAN, not just for this project, but for future initiatives to support Dadaab and beyond. Their commitment to education, social protection, and youth empowerment aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, we’re making this project a reality—bringing sports, storytelling, and hope to Dadaab.