I'm Jawahir Ahmed, Somali-American Model -- AMA

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

How did your family react to your modelling career?

It's kind of funny. When I tell them I am doing a photoshoot they say "Make this the last one, Jawahir."
And after the photos come out, they are usually the ones sharing it with family members. Especially my mom, she says we are
twins. Of course, she is the better looking twin. Because the photos I take are usually cultural and modest my parents support me
in an unusual way. The encourage me in everything I do. Whether it's going to school or the cultural pageants I have done. They know how
to have a fine line between telling me what's good for me and what's bad for me.

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

Is there a large Somali community in Utah?

Compared to other places, I wouldn't say LARGE. But I will say, within the past couple years the Somali community has gotten larger.
It's a good thing.

 

[Geeljire]

How significant in your regard is Dr. Habeebs work with the mentally ill in Somalia?

And Could you tell us in detail what the problem areas you discovered was in your research & stay in Puntland?

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

Jawiahir its great of you to highlight the almost non-existent state of mental care back home and i hope you can become some kind of advocate for the people who need urgent care in Somalia


Is it the first time you travelled to Puntland and what were your expectations?

Thank you, you loyal mashallah.
Yes it is the first time I traveled to the Puntland area. My expectations were I was going to be super bored and gain a lot of weight.
Basically every single day there was something to do. My aunts and traveling back and forth from city to city every other day. Which
made the trip go by terribly fast. In the states, whenever people come over it is hectic because you have to cook and clean.
Even if I am the guest I end up cooking and cleaning, because that's what you do when it's your family. But in Somalia, they have
maids and cooks so I rarely lifted a finger. It was sooo weird- I felt super lazy but I secretly liked it. Everyone was extremely hospital, which is my
favorite trait about Somalis. I was never "afraid for my life". I enjoyed the simple things when I was there. Nobody was in a rush, there weren't even clocks on the wall.

 

[McD30]

Has there been significant progress on mental health status in Somalia since you started researching it and what will your focus be, practical or theoretical work?

 

[McD30]

I'd also like to know if there's any corruption in non-existent Somali healthcare industry and if so what and how can it be tackled?

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

How significant in your regard is Dr. Habeebs work with the mentally ill in Somalia?

And Could you tell us in detail what the problem areas you discovered was in your research & stay in Puntland?

I didn't do research there, I was there for personal reasons. I was interested in visiting a hospital but plans fell through because
of the hospital.
I think his work is very significant because he works in the front line. He works with the patients, he isn't just someone that has come across folks
who happen to have mental health disorders. Anyone in the actual field can tell you it's a whole other ball game. Witnessing patients who are
off their medications and who are above their base lines can even be scary at times. If you are able to stabilize a patient morally and successfully, you need a round of applause.

 

[Tucking_Fypo]

I would recommend you take time to see the nature and wildlife also be around the villages your next trip that's were you will experience the real somali culture. I also recommend you take the coastal route the next time when travelling to Garowe, places like Hafun, Dhuudo and Eyl will amaze you with its beauty

How did you family in Somalia react to your modelling career?

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

Has there been significant progress on mental health status in Somalia since you started researching it and what will your focus be, practical or theoretical work?

Yes, I started in 2012 and since then there has been the chain free initiative, there are been aid from WHO, and Somalis understand diagnosis. Instead of labeling everyone under depression and possibly having the devil in them. Now there is bi-polar, schizophrenia, PTDS ect. By the way these are Somalis in Somalia as well as the states. I would focus on both practical and theoretical, understand the why and applying that reason is both beneficial.

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

I'd also like to know if there's any corruption in non-existent Somali healthcare industry and if so what and how can it be tackled?

There is corruption in almost every sanction of Somalia. Healthcare, government, education...you name it. It can be tackled by starting to hire people
based on WHAT THEY KNOW and not WHO THEY KNOW.

 

[Duchess]

What is your proudest moment in your career?

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

I would recommend you take time to see the nature and wildlife also be around the villages your next trip that's were you will experience the real somali culture. I also recommend you take the coastal route the next time when travelling to Garowe, places like Hafun, Dhuudo and Eyl will amaze you with its beauty

How did you family in Somalia react to your modelling career?

I was fortunate able to see both sides of Somalia. I saw the political side when I stayed with my dads family and I saw the nature side when I stayed with my mothers side. My mom and dad both didn't know I was doing it at first. Because I was just helping a few people out with photoshoots here and there. I didn't really think it was a big deal. I didn't even think it was a big deal when I signed with my agency. But when I won Miss Africa Utah, my photos started being shown more and my parents came across them. My parents liked the photos but they asked why I didn't tell them before hand. After that, I let them know about each photoshoot beforehand. After a few years my parents told me to stop, so I slowed down a bit. I doubt I will do more than I have done in the past, I am ready to quit as well.

 

[McD30]

Say a Somali girl wants to become a model and has been offered a job by agencies but is reluctant to take the job due to social stigma, what would you say to her?

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

I just realized I don't know why I said Garowe as my place to travel! I meant Gaalkacyo Haha! I went to Garowe a ton.

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

Inshallah I will see it soon

I actually went to Garowe! I dunno where my mind was at.. I meant Gaalkacyo in my earlier post And YES it was beautiful, especially the stars at night!

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

What is your proudest moment in your career?

Probably getting a job straight out of college. Everyone warned me it would be hard, so I started searching for jobs before my graduation date.
I was fortunate enough to work for a great place early on.

 

[Land of Punt]

I just realized I don't know why I said Garowe as my place to travel! I meant Gaalkacyo Haha! I went to Garowe a ton.

lol, Gaalkacyo is also beautiful, it's where my family is from

 

[Abdalla]

How was your reaction about the speculation that you weren't full blooded ethnic Somali

I just realized I don't know why I said Garowe as my place to travel! I meant Gaalkacyo Haha! I went to Garowe a ton.

Gaalkacyo home of the brave

 

[Abdalla]

Why did your parents tell you to stop your model career? Due to stigmatization?

 

[Jawahir J Ahmed]

Say a Somali girl wants to become a model and has been offered a job by agencies but is reluctant to take the job due to social stigma, what would you say to her?

I would tell her social stigma is irrelevant. I have first hand heard the assumptions people base off of you, based off of social stigma.
You must understand, nobody knows you like you do. People have all sorts of assumptions about models, and I, for example, prove
most of those assumptions wrong. Especially if this career can take you to where you want to be, go for it.