Kemi — if you see this, your family in Somalia is looking for you

I've been looking for my brother Kemi since 2005. This platform is my latest attempt to bridge the gap that opened when they left. After losing everything in the flooding, migration was the only path forward. Back then, Kemi was 29 years old and believed the separation would be short. We stayed in touch through phone calls and the occasional letter. Kemi spoke of life in Columbus — the challenges of adapting, the loneliness, but also the small victories. The messages suddenly stopped in 2016. We tried everything — calling mutual friends, reaching out to the diaspora community — but no one had recent news. I remember teaching me to ride a bicycle in the backyard with Kemi. Those are the memories I hold onto. Kemi would be around 50 today. heavyset, with a booming laugh and gentle eyes. The not knowing is worse than any bad news could be. Please, if you know anything about Kemi, reach out. A mother is waiting to hear from her child.