Mohamoud fled Africa and came to the United States as a refugee in 1994. Since arriving in San Diego, he has graduated as valedictorian from Mesa College with an Associate of Arts in Economics, and earned a Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree from San Diego City College. In 1996, Mohamoud was diagnosed with an eye disease. Coping with his visual disability was a challenging experience – one that Mohamoud handled with grace as he learned to reach his potential.
Later, Mohamoud met Mariam, a refugee who fled Somalia to New Zealand, and then to the United States. The two have been married for over thirteen years. Mohamoud says his greatest accomplishment in life has been choosing the mother of his children. Their children, ages 5, 8, 10, and 12, excel academically and lead active lives outside of school. Quality family time is important, so the family’s spare time is filled with trips to the park, the beach, and the San Diego Zoo.
Mohamoud and Mariam own an in-home childcare business, and their favorite aspect of their work is having the opportunity to help other families by providing them with love and stability. Recently, they opened their home to a single parent who had become homeless. Helping her get back on her feet re-cemented their own motto to never take anything for granted.
Despite the adversity this family has faced, they are blessed with patience, unwavering faith, and an innate positive outlook. Working alongside San Diego Habitat, Mohamoud says, has given him hope that the world will be a better place. They will be the first in their family to own a home, and they look forward to achieving the American Dream in their safe, stable, affordable Habitat home.
