Reclaiming Mogadishu: The Youth Reviving a City's Lost Beauty

At the heart of the campaign is Curubo Beach, a once-neglected stretch that has become the volunteers’ focal point. The difference is striking, according to Harbi Ismail Harbi, Chairman of the Youth Cooperative:

“On the first day we came here, Curubo Beach was in very poor condition. Now, if you look behind you, it has become very beautiful,” he said.

The volunteers document their efforts on social media, sharing images and videos to inspire others to join or replicate their work. Their tools—brooms, shovels, and garbage bags—are essential, but the true power lies in the online community they have built, where young people across Mogadishu encourage and amplify each other’s efforts.

Yet their dedication does not go unchallenged. Some online critics question their work or dismiss it altogether. Muna Noor Ali, another volunteer, addresses the negativity head-on:

“There are young people who stay at home and write negative comments about us. We tell them to stop the false remarks. We are Somali youth; we want beauty for our country, not ugliness,” she said.

The good news is that majority of the dwellers support their noble effort of making Mogadishu a better place to live in as various forms of pollution continue to choke Africa's cities.

This voluntary campaign is more than a cleanup effort; it is a testament to the role Somali youth can play in shaping their environment and communities. It demonstrates that meaningful change can emerge from passion, unity, and a shared love for the homeland—an inspiring example for the city and the country as a whole.