A home built on hope: A refugee-led organization strengthening community support in South Africa

On a warm afternoon in Polokwane city in South Africa's Limpopo province, the sound of children laughing drifts across the dusty yard of the Rahma Orphanage Destitute Children Madrassah and Education Development (RODCMED). Volunteers prepare meals, stack schoolbooks on a table, and move quietly between tasks. For many of the children gathered here, this place offers a lifeline.

Abdulkadir Aden Mohamed, a Somali refugee, established RODCMED, a refugee led‑ organisation in 2019. The organization supports orphaned children, both refugees and South African, who live with caregivers in the community. The organisation delivers assistance directly to households, providing food parcels, clothing and school supplies. Children are also invited to the centre for activities, learning support and meals when needed.

Abdulkadir arrived in South Africa in 1997 carrying little more than hope for safety and a chance to rebuild his life. Having experienced displacement firsthand, he understands the loneliness and uncertainty that orphaned and vulnerable children often face. He holds a law degree from the University of South Africa and currently serves as the Project Coordinator of RODCMED.

What began as a small effort to support a few children has grown into a trusted community organisation. Today, RODCMED assists around 60 orphaned children, both refugees and South African. Beyond meeting basic needs, the organisation also focuses on building practical life skills to help young people plan for a future that once seemed out of reach.

RODCMED’s support is not limited to orphaned children only. Families struggling to make ends meet in Polokwane, including South African nationals, also receive food assistance, reinforcing a sense of solidarity that transcends nationality.

A true community effort

Local businesspeople contribute regularly, in-kind or with financial donations, ensuring that no child is turned away. Abdinasir, Director of RODCMED, and a fellow Somali refugee, explained that the organisation’s governing board reflects the diversity of the community it serves, bringing together Somali, Ethiopian and South African members committed to supporting vulnerable groups.

He added that trust in the organisation has grown over time.

“Neighbours speak of RODCMED as a place where dignity is preserved and help is offered without judgment,” he said.

Building for the future

RODCMED is now in the process of constructing a new orphanage in Solly Park neighbourhood in Polokwane. Donations come from Somali community members, local South African donors and South Africans from Limpopo who are living abroad. Some have donated building materials, while others contribute to labour costs. The foundation of the new centre has already been laid. Plans for the site include accommodation for children, a clinic and services for elderly persons, creating an intergenerational space of care and support.

A strong legacy

UNHCR promotes refugee‑led organizations as they play an important role in community‑based protection and ensure that people with lived experience of displacement participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Refugee‑led groups like RODCMED have a strong understanding of local needs, making their contributions for sustainable programming. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, therefore supports their engagement through consultations, capacity‑building, inclusion in coordination mechanisms and strengthened partnerships, recognising them as key drivers of locally led humanitarian response.

In 2025, UNHCR’s through its partner, Future Families assisted RODCMED by providing cash vouchers to support about 11 families in need. For Abdulkadir and his team, the work is personal. What began as a response to the needs around them has grown into a sustained effort to build a safer, more supportive environment for children.