Abdi Mohamoud was 10 when he emigrated from Ethiopia with his parents in 1982. The Somali refugee family didn’t know anything about San Diego. It was their destination because they’d been sponsored by Catholic Charities. “San Diego became a perfect fit because there isn’t a lot of rain, and there is a lot of sun,” says 32-year-old Mohamoud.

San Diego’s weather reminded the family of home. However, only a few refugee families lived nearby. Teachers weren’t aware of the needs and challenges for students like Mohamoud. Since he was young, he says, he quickly picked up information that helped him adapt. He did well at Horace Mann Junior High and Crawford High School, where Mohamoud was the only Somali. He went on to earn a finance degree from SDSU.

In 1990, Mohamoud participated in the group that founded Horn of Africa: Community in North America, a corporation that helps East African refugees assimilate. He’s executive director for the organization named for the Horn, the peninsula that includes the countries of Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Working with a $500,000 annual operating budget, Mohamoud directs programs targeting tuberculosis eradication, maternal health and financial literacy. He also works to obtain grants and promote awareness of the organization that assists about 1,500 refugees annually.

Mohamoud’s community activities include serving as chair of the San Diego Refugee Forum and vice president of the California State Refugees Forum. As a member of the Somali Business Association, Mohamoud gives workshops on marketing, bookkeeping and budgeting. He belongs to the Mid-City Rotary Club, whose projects range from clean up of Colina Park to raising money for waterwheels in Africa.

Mohamoud says the reward for his efforts is in providing a link for refugees. “They look to us for direction, leadership and advice.” He and his wife, Fosiya, have a son, Abdul-Jabbar, and daughters Hinta and Hoda.

— Liz Swain