Health Equity and Resource development Solutions Project
Health Equity and Resource development Solutions aims to enhance health and education.
Objectives of H.E.R.D.S
Establish a base for H.E.R.D.S. in the country, especially in the area we will be working, that would represent the organization and monitor its activities.
Recruit volunteers in the areas and communities we work (including here in the U.S.) that would contribute to the work and objectives of
H.E.R.D.S.
The work, initiatives, and progress of the projects will be continuously monitored and evaluated by internal reports, meetings, and different methods of information dissemination.
Mission Statement
The mission of H.E.R.D.S. is to improve and advance the health and education access of the under-served regions of the Horn of Africa for the well-being of that population. It plans to do this by upgrading existing facilities and building new ones. With the goal of helping to train and educate the staff with the assistance and collaboration of individuals, organizations, and authorities that are local as well as global. All of whom would like to change the current unsatisfactory conditions.
Values Statement
Integrity and Accountability
Integrity, honesty, and accountability are the guiding principles of H.E.R.D.S., ensuring trust and transparency in all our actions.
Community Well-being
We prioritize the health and education of the community, striving to improve their quality of life through dedicated efforts.
Empowerment and Inclusivity
Our aim is to empower our team and the communities we serve, fostering inclusivity and active participation in our mission.
Excellence in Service
The pursuit of excellence drives us to perform our duties and responsibilities to the highest standard.
Respect for All
We are committed to treating our team, the community, and everyone we engage with respect and dignity.
Sustainability and Self-reliance
Our ultimate goal is to help communities achieve sustainability and self-reliance, ensuring long-term success and independence.
Key Programs
Expanding Health Facilities
H.E.R.D.S. is committed to establishing quality healthcare by expanding the health center in Yuub and creating essential departments.
Building Capacity in Health and Education
Training and educating local staff. Establishing work guidelines for better performance.
Empowering the Youth
Advocating for quality education and dedication as paths to success. Discouraging dangerous migration routes (Tahrib) to Europe, the Gulf States, and beyond.
Our Goals
Set a fundraising target that would enable us to achieve our work and goals. H.E.R.D.S. aims to raise, at least, $700,000 in 2025. We realize that this an ambitious target. But this is the revenue that would enable us to do the work. We would reach out to donors (government as well as private) who we believe are able and willing to help and partner with us to reach our goals. The aim is to spend most of our income (85-90%) on our projects and objectives.
Board of Directors of H.E.R.D.S
Abdul Aziz Yusuf
President
Abdul Aziz was born in Ethiopia. He studied medicine in the then West Germany. Abdul Aziz is a former physician who worked in some district and regional hospitals in the Horn of Africa as a general practitioner.
Naima Ismail
Secretary
Dr. Naima Ismail is currently undergoing her medical residency for radiology at the
University of Minnesota. She completed her medical degree at Ohio University.
AbdiGhani Ismail
Member
AbdiGhani Ismail is a resident physician specializing in internal medicine with an interest in gastroenterology and clinical nutrition.
Husein Yussuf
Treasure
Husein Yussuf serves as the Treasurer of H.E.R.D.S, bringing expertise in financial oversight, strategic planning, and nonprofit management.
Hotho Yusuf
Vice President
Hotho is a dedicated public health professional with a background in local government and a strong focus on data-driven policy solutions.
Board of Directors of H.E.R.D.S
Abdul Aziz Yusuf
President
Abdul Aziz was born in Ethiopia. He studied medicine in the then West Germany. Abdul Aziz is a former physician who worked in some district and regional hospitals in the Horn of Africa as a general practitioner.
His involvement in charity initiatives dates back to his student years. In 1980, he was part of seven students that founded an NGO called West-Somalische Selbsthilfe Verein, e.V. in Germany. The mission was to assist war refugees from the Somali region of Ethiopia that fled to Somalia at the end of the 1977 war.
Abdul Aziz built and started a women’s center on behalf of the organization in Qoryole, South Somalia, in 1984. It was an income-generating project for women. They produced sandals and different clothing items for sale. The project continued to be funded and managed by the organization/NGO until the breakdown of the Somali Civil war in 1991.
Again, in the early 90s, Abdul Aziz built and started health and nutrition centers in Mandera and El-Waq in Kenya. It served refugees from Somalia that fled the Somali civil war. A charity funded and managed those projects, and he was the head of the health and nutrition program.
In the mid-90s, he immigrated to the U.S, where he is now retired.
Naima Ismail
Secretary
Dr. Naima Ismail is currently undergoing her medical residency for radiology at the
University of Minnesota. She completed her medical degree at Ohio University. In
medical school, she worked with her classmates to help develop a STEM focused after
school program. Utilizing the tools she learned from this imitative, she hopes to engage
in global health by developing Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) utilization, to help
bridge the gaps of access to medical imaging in under-resourced communities. The
the community of Yuub does not have any radiological services in its health center.
Community members must often travel 6+ hours to access a health facility with imaging
resources. By being involved in H.E.R.D.S, Dr. Ismail hopes to work with the other
H.E.R.D.S members to help empower and uplift this community in need.
AbdiGhani Ismail
Member
AbdiGhani Ismail is a resident physician specializing in internal medicine with an interest in gastroenterology and clinical nutrition. He is interested in advancing global health equity through impactful initiatives and has a commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in underserved communities. Passionate about sustainable solutions, Dr. Ismail has worked on a number of health equity projects throughout medical school and residency and is excited to work with the group to improve access to quality care and empower the local system to foster long-term change
Husein Yussuf
Treasure
Husein Yussuf serves as the Treasurer of H.E.R.D.S, bringing expertise in financial oversight, strategic planning, and nonprofit management. With a Master of Public Administration from Hamline University and a B.S. in Business from the University of Minnesota, he has managed multi-million-dollar budgets and led community initiatives. His leadership ensures H.E.R.D.S remains financially sustainable while expanding its impact on healthcare and education infrastructure in Ethiopia.
Hotho Yusuf
Vice President
Hotho is a dedicated public health professional with a background in local government and a strong focus on data-driven policy solutions. Currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy & Management at the Yale School of Public Health, she combines academic expertise with hands-on experience to address public health challenges and improve community outcomes.
With experience in public health policy, data analysis, and project management, Hotho is passionate about leveraging data visualization and statistical insights to inform healthcare policies and drive impactful change. She has worked extensively in local government, focusing on improving health equity and access to care for underserved populations.
Her interests are in regulatory affairs, health economics, and using data to identify innovative strategies that bridge healthcare gaps. Through her work, she aims to create meaningful change by combining evidence-based approaches with thoughtful policy design.
Upcoming Events
Stay informed about upcoming events, fundraisers, and webinars. H.E.R.D.S. aims to organize gatherings in Ohio and Minnesota while participating in global events to build connections and learn from others.
- February 15, 2025
- February 15, 2025
- February 15, 2025
- February 15, 2025
Recent Blogs
The Urgent Need for Healthcare Access in Yuub, Ethiopia
On October 8, 2024, 12-year-old Hassan was playing with other children in his village when tragedy struck—a moving car hit him, leaving him severely injured.
A Story of a Student and a Note About the Education Situation in Some Regions of Ethiopia
The schools in many parts of Ethiopia are underdeveloped. The situation is worst in the small towns that lie in the rural areas. The main
Program Summary For 2025-2026
I. Health Center Program Background: The health center of Yuub is not meeting the needs of the estimated 30,000 residents. This town used to be
