Dadaab, Kenya – Ramla Ali’s return to Kenya this week carried the weight of a full circle moment. The Somali-born boxer and model, now celebrated on international stages, stepped back into the country that once sheltered her family as they fled conflict. For many refugees in Dadaab and Nairobi, her visit was far more than a high-profile appearance; it was a reminder that their stories do not have to end where hardship begins.
Ali spent time in Dadaab meeting young girls who dream beyond the boundaries of camp life. She spoke candidly about her own journey from a displaced child to an Olympic boxer, offering encouragement to students who often feel invisible in global conversations. Her message resonated deeply in classrooms where resources are few and opportunities even fewer.
In Nairobi’s Dandora estate, she joined refugee women employed in a recycling program that supports mothers seeking financial stability. The work was gritty and demanding, yet Ali moved alongside them with a sense of familiarity, acknowledging the determination that defines many displaced households. The program’s mix of skills training, education and childcare struck her as something worth fighting to protect, especially as funding shortfalls threaten its future.
Ali has long used her platform to uplift marginalized women, including through her Sisters Club, which provides free fitness sessions to those who rarely have access to such spaces. Her time in Kenya reinforced a commitment shaped by her own past: to show displaced families that their dreams are still valid, and that hope can survive even the hardest beginnings.