Samale Institute

We are the Samale Institute. Our organization is named for Samale, the legendary father of the Somali people. Like Samale, the organization is at the center of a very fertile and growing movement that believes in the power of our people to collectively build a more sustainable future for Somali people. We begin with looking at what resources, gifts, talents, and abilities the Somali people have, as opposed to looking only at what they are lacking. The goal of the Institute is to help build and strengthen sustainable and inclusive communities from the ‘inside out’, through nurturing relationships that are based on collaboration, cooperation, innovation and creativity. We also aim to mentor community members to become social trainers, consultants, and researchers. We believe that the Somali people are primarily seeking wellbeing, and the best way to realize ‘wellbeing’ is by increasing interdependence in communities and capitalizing on asset-based community development strategies.