Child soldiers in Africa, and airport operations in Denmark
Mohamud Rage (27) is the youngest of seven and was born in Denmark to parents from Somalia. He mostly grew up in Kenya and has lived in Somalia, England, Russia, and moved back to Denmark two years ago.
- When I grew up, my parents often reminisced about life in Somalia and Africa before the civil war. I have always felt a sense of responsibility to go back and support the development of my communities, my country and my people. Currently, I’m pursuing a master’s degree in African studies alongside working.
Mohamud Rage (27) is the youngest of seven and was born in Denmark to parents from Somalia. He mostly grew up in Kenya and has lived in Somalia, England, Russia, and moved back to Denmark two years ago.
- When I grew up, my parents often reminisced about life in Somalia and Africa before the civil war. I have always felt a sense of responsibility to go back and support the development of my communities, my country and my people. Currently, I’m pursuing a master’s degree in African studies alongside working.
Supporting former child soldiers, combatants and extremists
Mohamud has a lot of drive and besides his studies, he also works 75% at Norwegian as an Operations Agent and part time for an organization in Africa. The organization is dedicated to promoting peace, cultivating leadership and empowering the marginalized brackets of society to be decision makers in the processes that ensure their wellbeing. The organisation has been doing so since the 90s, when its founder pinned the saying ‘’Drop the Gun, Pick Up the Pen’’.
- Somalia and multiple places in Africa have been in a conflict setting for 20-35 years. At the same time inequality has been on the rise, and many children have ended up being recruited by, or forced into armed, violent, and extremist groups. In my role I work on helping such children be reintegrated back into society. Following the community-based reintegration method, we offer mental and educational support whilst also empowering them and providing them with skills so that they can lead dignified and independent lives upon successful completion of their programmes.
He came across the organization in 2018 and sent the director a message on Instagram to ask if he could become a volunteer. After several attempts, the director agreed and Mohamud volunteered in Somalia for 2 months. On his last day, he was offered a full-time role working on children involved in armed conflict, sexual and gender-based violence as well as working on the intersection of youth, peace and security. The organizations work in Somalia has since been recognized for its impact and has expanded to other countries in Africa too.
Supporting former child soldiers, combatants and extremists
Mohamud has a lot of drive and besides his studies, he also works 75% at Norwegian as an Operations Agent and part time for an organization in Africa. The organization is dedicated to promoting peace, cultivating leadership and empowering the marginalized brackets of society to be decision makers in the processes that ensure their wellbeing. The organisation has been doing so since the 90s, when its founder pinned the saying ‘’Drop the Gun, Pick Up the Pen’’.
- Somalia and multiple places in Africa have been in a conflict setting for 20-35 years. At the same time inequality has been on the rise, and many children have ended up being recruited by, or forced into armed, violent, and extremist groups. In my role I work on helping such children be reintegrated back into society. Following the community-based reintegration method, we offer mental and educational support whilst also empowering them and providing them with skills so that they can lead dignified and independent lives upon successful completion of their programmes.
He came across the organization in 2018 and sent the director a message on Instagram to ask if he could become a volunteer. After several attempts, the director agreed and Mohamud volunteered in Somalia for 2 months. On his last day, he was offered a full-time role working on children involved in armed conflict, sexual and gender-based violence as well as working on the intersection of youth, peace and security. The organizations work in Somalia has since been recognized for its impact and has expanded to other countries in Africa too.
Starting up Red Handling in Copenhagen
- I then moved to England to begin my bachelor's degree in International Politics and Security. When Covid happened, I started working as a Covid tester at Copenhagen Airport, all while studying in Manchester. So, every 10 days I flew to Copenhagen and worked there for 4-5 days. And that is how my aviation journey began.
He’d since worked in different roles at the airport, and it was through being at the airport that Mohamud got wind of Norwegian`s start-up of a Red Handling base in Copenhagen. He, and a few friends, applied for the job and was one of the firsts to be working during opening of the base.
- I was part of the first group of people who were in training for that role in Copenhagen, and after starting we got the opportunity to shape the operations. It was such a fresh project, that we even tried out different chairs to see which one would be best for our new offices. It was a fun experience starting everything up.
Mohamud excelled in his position and was offered the role of Operations Service Agent in Station Control Centre and has worked there since.
- As a Customer Service agent in Red Handling, which is the position I first had, you work across check-in and gates. My current position, Operations Service agent, among other responsibilities, we maintain communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Furthermore, beyond allocating tasks and managing available resources, we supervise the turnaround at gates and bridge things between Red Handling and Norwegian daily. Basically, we support in ensuring things run smoothly.
Starting up Red Handling in Copenhagen
- I then moved to England to begin my bachelor's degree in International Politics and Security. When Covid happened, I started working as a Covid tester at Copenhagen Airport, all while studying in Manchester. So, every 10 days I flew to Copenhagen and worked there for 4-5 days. And that is how my aviation journey began.
He’d since worked in different roles at the airport, and it was through being at the airport that Mohamud got wind of Norwegian`s start-up of a Red Handling base in Copenhagen. He, and a few friends, applied for the job and was one of the firsts to be working during opening of the base.
- I was part of the first group of people who were in training for that role in Copenhagen, and after starting we got the opportunity to shape the operations. It was such a fresh project, that we even tried out different chairs to see which one would be best for our new offices. It was a fun experience starting everything up.
Mohamud excelled in his position and was offered the role of Operations Service Agent in Station Control Centre and has worked there since.
- As a Customer Service agent in Red Handling, which is the position I first had, you work across check-in and gates. My current position, Operations Service agent, among other responsibilities, we maintain communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Furthermore, beyond allocating tasks and managing available resources, we supervise the turnaround at gates and bridge things between Red Handling and Norwegian daily. Basically, we support in ensuring things run smoothly.
A diverse workplace
One of Mohamud’s favourite things about working at Norwegian is the diversity and how it affects the working environment.
- I like having a very diverse set of colleagues, who all bring their own unique experiences. I think that is what makes it such a special workplace for me and somewhere I enjoy coming to work. My coworkers come from different walks of life, different places and they have so many different experiences in their minds. This shapes the workplace that we have into something that makes it very unique and a kind of space that I enjoy being in.
A diverse workplace
One of Mohamud’s favourite things about working at Norwegian is the diversity and how it affects the working environment.
- I like having a very diverse set of colleagues, who all bring their own unique experiences. I think that is what makes it such a special workplace for me and somewhere I enjoy coming to work. My coworkers come from different walks of life, different places and they have so many different experiences in their minds. This shapes the workplace that we have into something that makes it very unique and a kind of space that I enjoy being in.