HOME OF CHANGE

Eastleigh Market

For every great venture, a bad element finds its way. Eastleigh is no exception. The residents have been often accused of harboring and funding terrorist activities in the region. Also, the constant growth rate of unemployment and weak mentorship programs for young people are not helping matters at all. There has been an upsurge of young people joining criminal gangs while others are being wooed into terrorist groups.

And with that in mind, Burhan Iman and friends started Eastleighwood Youth Forum a platform that tells the true story about the Somali community while breaking the cycle of young men being lured into terrorist groups.

Students filming in the streets of Eastleigh.

Started in the year 2000, after Burhan got tired of watching his whole community portrayed as terrorists and leaders in piracy by the international community, the mainstream media, and the government, the negative image of the Somali community became so real affecting the lives of the peaceful residents.

According to Burhan, the director of Eastleighwood, it’s mostly young people who join terrorist groups or gangs because they feel alienated and ignored and consequently being enticed with a promise to earn huge amounts of money and acceptance. So he is trying to break the chain and show young people that they can still make an income from an honest living. 

Eastleighwood, for the last 5 years, has trained more than 3,500 youth in acting, photography, painting, computer packages, and many other fields. 70% of these youth are now gainfully employed and doing their part in nation-building. 

Students consulting one another.

Nazri Hassan, 18 years old, joined Eastleighwood in 2001. And through the guidance of Burhan has grown into the role of a cameraperson. Most of her paying jobs are weddings in the Eastleigh estate, and even though she is already making a living. She always makes time for Eastleighwood when she is called upon to film. Nazri is also harnessing her skills in acting and singing.

Nazri during an interview.

Eastleighwood has faced a lot of challenges from financial constraints and resistance from religious leaders who are afraid that Burhan may be teaching the youths to embrace the western culture from the movies they film and modeling abandoning their conservative ways.  

Burhan doesn’t let the unsupportive voices from his community nor the threats from the terrorist groups get to him. And although he had to shut down a branch he had opened in Somalia due to insecurity, he is hoping to reopen it soon. 

According to Burhan, the director of Eastleighwood, his major challenge is financial constrain from staff salaries, rent, and expensive equipment needed in film and art production.  Eastleighwood has been running through donations, holding festivals, and hiring its small hall out for functions. His dream is to soldier on because he cannot give up on his students.