Before he ever touched a professional camera, Shariif Hashi Ulisow was already learning the power of storytelling through the voices of BBC Somali journalists echoing through his childhood. He says “For many people, media is simply a profession. For me, it is something that has lived inside me since childhood.”
My name is Shariif Hashi Ulisow, and I am a Media Studies and Communication student at the Somali National University. Long before I joined university, I already had a strong passion for media, storytelling, and journalism. As a child, I spent hours listening to radio programs and following journalists on international stations, especially BBC Somali. I admired the voices behind the microphone and the way they informed people, shared stories, and connected communities.
One of the moments that deeply stayed in my mind was realizing that one of the journalists I used to listen to on BBC Somali later became one of my lecturers at university. For me, that experience showed how dreams and passions can slowly become reality.
My interest in media became even stronger during the foundation stage at university. I still remember a lecturer asking our class who wanted to study media. Out of nearly 80 students, I was among the very few who confidently raised their hand. At that moment, I realized media was not just something I liked—it was the direction I truly wanted to follow.
Today, my work mainly focuses on photography, videography, and editing. These are the areas where I feel most creative and connected. Photography especially has become a major part of my identity because I strongly believe that one image can communicate emotions and realities that sometimes thousands of words cannot explain.
I enjoy capturing real-life stories, emotions, and moments that reflect the lives of ordinary Somali people. Through my lens, I try to highlight resilience, humanity, and the beauty that exists in everyday life.
One of the projects that had the biggest impact on me was a visual reporting story about an elderly man who had been selling traditional Somali toothbrush sticks for nearly thirty years. The project was created during a visual reporting training connected to Al Jazeera. I remember how powerful that experience felt because it was not only about taking photos—it was about understanding a human story and communicating it visually.
That project changed my perspective on photography forever. It made me understand that cameras are not only tools for images; they are tools for storytelling, emotion, and social connection.
Another important step in my journey was becoming part of the Media Accelerator Programme (Cohort 2) at Ubah Media. The program became one of the most transformative learning experiences in my media journey.
At Ubah Media, I gained a much deeper understanding of storytelling and digital media. The program helped sharpen my skills, improve my creative thinking, and strengthen my confidence as a young media creator. I learned how to structure stories professionally, understand digital audiences, and communicate stories with purpose and impact.
I sincerely appreciate appreciate the team at Ubah Media Lab, their guidance and mentorship helped me grow both creatively and professionally. Through the program, I became more open-minded and more confident in my abilities.
Like many young media creators, one of the biggest challenges I face is access to equipment and media resources. Working in media often requires cameras, editing tools, software, and production support, which are not always easy to access. However, these challenges have never stopped me from continuing my journey.
Instead, they motivate me to keep learning, practicing, and improving my craft.
The Media Accelerator Programme changed many things for me. It expanded my knowledge, improved my skills, and opened my mind to new possibilities in digital storytelling and modern media production. More importantly, it helped me see media not only as a career, but also as a platform for creating impact.
In the future, I hope to become a documentary filmmaker and visual storyteller who creates meaningful stories about Somali communities, youth, culture, and social realities. I want my work to inspire people, preserve stories, and show authentic Somali experiences to wider audiences.
People around me often recognize my passion, consistency, and the direction I am trying to build for myself. For me, media is not only about content creation—it is about purpose, storytelling, and connection.
Every project I work on teaches me something new. Every photo, video, and story becomes part of my growth.
This is still the beginning of my journey, but I believe the road ahead is full of opportunities, creativity, and stories waiting to be told.
