The African Future Blog

The African Future (TaF) is a non-governmental organization created to help improve the quality of life for the future of Africa. Our charter is to help the future of Africa, beginning in Somalia, and increase their chance of living via a highly targeted grass-roots orientation centered around schooling and health care initiatives.

TaF was established in 2007, as an organization that would mobilize the youth and greater Diaspora to help improve the standard of quality for both health care facilities and educational institutions in Africa. Since establishing the organization, Co-Founders Hibak Kalfan, and Abdi Ahmed have decided to collaborate their humanitarian efforts along with a multimedia model. They believe the lack of true documentation has allowed for corruption and lack of accountability. TaF’s model will include video documentation of all projects as well as the organizations progress throughout their chosen regions. Along with their multimedia model, their organization will engage the greater Diaspora to become involved in both the expansion of the organization, as well as the execution of projects. TaF is currently working with both local and international NGO’s along with youth, and a larger adult international community

TaF’s Co-Founders first embark to Somalia was one of shock and awe. In early July 2007 they traveled to Somalia to film the documentary, “The Forgotten Struggle”: Their trip had two purposes, to document the struggles the doctors, nurses, and patients face on a daily basis, and to answer the question, “How can we at TaF do our part to help improve the quality of life of Somalis?” After traveling through parts of Somalia, they discovered the problems that Somalis face in the health care field were greater than they had imagined. Since returning to North America, they have begun spreading the awareness through documentary screenings, and have also begun developing future programs and projects based on the request of local partners in Somalia

Our Team

Abdi Ahmed – Abdi is the co-founder of TaF (The African Future) along with Hibak Kalfan. He has extensive experience in the field of development and has worked in East Africa as an ICT Consultant. While working in East Africa, he saw the need within Somalia and in Africa in general for greater access to information technology and telecommunications devices. Prior to joining TaF, he worked as a political staff member for the government of Ontario, Canada (for the Chair of Cabinet and Minister of Government Services). He has traveled extensively in the past and considers travel his passion

Hibak Kalfan - Hibak is the Co-Founder of TaF along with Abdi Ahmed. She has worked in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. She worked for five years at Wachovia Corporation where she gained substantial management skills leading diverse teams including the General Retail Bank Division and Business Banking Group. Hibak has also worked with several International and Local NGOs, primarily with Program Management in several development sectors including but not limited to Disaster Relief, Water and Sanitation, Health, Education, Livelihoods and Capacity Building + Sustainability. Once as the Executive Director of ACEDONE, a Boston based non-profit, she helped lead refugee resettlement programs. Her initial development experiences at ACEDONE motivated her to focus her efforts on helping to improve the quality of life for those in need. Hibak obtained a BS in Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems at George Mason University and is currently obtaining her Masters of Arts in Development Practice and Policy at the University of New Hampshire.

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR:

Yasmin Warsame

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Bill Kaschak - Bill is a seasoned professional with broad experience in the International Development arena. For 24 years Mr. Kaschak served as a Foreign Service Officer with the Agency for International Development (USAID) designing and implementing economic assistance programs in Third World countries. With USAID his overseas a postings included tours in Ecuador, Tunisia, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador and Guinea. In Guinea, he served as the USAID Country Director guiding a multi-faceted $35 million/annum development program and a staff of 80 people.

Noreen Shahid, Noreen is a Senior Information Systems Engineer, for The MITRE Corporation.  She brings a broad perspective to look at challenging problems with a systematic approach focusing on functional and operational areas to benefit a variety of applications.  Her BS in Systems Engineering was achieved at George Mason University, in 2004, and MS in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University,in 2008. She has spent the last four years supporting a broad sponsor base through out the Department of Defense. Her interests in community service and humanitarian aid have resulted in her involvement with TaF.  She has future ambitions to pursue volunteer opportunities abroad and travel.

Rachel Roseberry, Rachel has worked extensively in international development. She has over eight years experience working in Washington DC, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and most recently Uganda. She has also worked in post-disaster and post-conflict areas. Her expertise lie in Environmental Development and Policy work. She has earned a BA in both Government and International Politics and Russian Studies at George Mason University and a Masters in Environment, Development and Policy at the University of Sussex. Her interests include traveling and learning new languages.

Hibo M Elmi - Hibo is a seasoned public relations executive with 15 years of experience ranging the corporate, non-profit, and political arenas. Elmi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Marketing, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Communications from Emerson College. A veteran of the public relations field, Elmi has worked with EMC Corp., State Street Global Advisors, Putnam Investments, Somali Development Center of Boston, and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia – office of the President.

Roble Ali - Roble is a New York based chef that is currently the main character of the upcoming Bravo show, Roble & Co. He has established his reputation cooking for some of the biggest celebrities at New York hot-spots like Avenue. Now, viewers can follow Roblé’s attempt to conquer the catering world with his innovative cuisine and style. His catering company produces world-class events for New York socialites to media moguls. Roblé has mastered the art of cooking, and running a business. As a Somali-American, Roble provides support to initiatives to help improve social services in Somalia.