Founded in 2009, the Abaarso Network enables transformative change in Somaliland, East Africa, through educating and empowering the people needed to achieve ethical and effective development.
Barwaaqo University, founded in 2017, is located in Baliga Cas village outside the capital city. In a country where women’s unemployment is over 80%, and 90% of teachers are men, Barwaaqo is creating long-term, sustainable careers for our graduates. We believe in the empowering of Somali women to become professionals who drive development throughout their community. Barwaaqo women have been highly successful at earning long-term careers well above the median wage post-graduation.
Barwaaqo faculty live in a tight-knit community, with approximately 12 professors, hailing from 10 countries. We believe in a holistic education, empowering our students to be confident, professional and highly thoughtful young women. We provide classes in education, math, ESL, technology and communication, as well as a holistic soft-skills and professionalism curriculum designed to give our students a well-rounded education that will empower them to succeed in professional roles after graduation.

Teachers in Abaarso Network work hard under difficult conditions. They provide extraordinary opportunities for young women and children to access a world-class education in an otherwise impoverished, underdeveloped setting. Faculty at both Barwaaqo and Abaarso have 18-20 hours per week of classroom teaching, with another 30+ hours of extracurricular responsibilities, including advising, office hours, clubs, sports and administrative duties.

Compensation packages include monthly stipends of US$325, room and board, round-trip airfare, health insurance and bonuses for those who stay beyond one year. Teacher-leaders may receive additional stipends.