Mogadishu, Somalia – On July 17, 2024, Lynn Matthews, an American nurse who served with the International Medical Corps (IMC) during the 1992 humanitarian crisis in Somalia, returned to Mogadishu to honor the memory of a young patient, Layla, by planting apple trees at Mogadishu’s Recep T. Erdogan Hospital (formerly Digfer Hospital). Lynn’s mission, motivated by a promise she could not fulfill 32 years ago, brought her back to the very place where she had provided care amidst the chaos of civil war.
This heartfelt act has touched the hearts of many and quickly became a trending topic on Somalia’s social media. People are speaking warmly of Lynn’s humanity and the profound way she has kept and carried Layla’s memory for decades. Lynn’s dedication to honoring Layla and other children who suffered during the crisis also reflects a universal message of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection.
Lynn’s Work and How she Met with Layla.
In 1992, Lynn Matthews arrived in Somalia amidst a severe famine and civil war that followed the collapse of Siyaad Barre’s government. Working tirelessly at Digfeer Hospital from February to June 1992, Lynn encountered many heart-wrenching cases, but one story stood out: that of a 12-year-old girl named Layla.
As Layla’s health deteriorated, she stopped eating and became emaciated. Lynn pleaded with her, “Layla, please! You have got to eat something!” Layla then expressed a simple, yet unattainable, wish: she wanted an apple. “I told her, ‘But Layla, there’s no apples here,’” Lynn remembered.
A few days later, Layla’s condition became critical. She was non-responsive, and her father, who spoke English, mentioned that she was talking like a psychiatric patient. During a fleeting moment of clarity, Layla looked at Lynn in the eye and said, “Lynn” before speaking in Somali. The interpreter later told Lynn that Layla’s final words were, “Lynn, I know you. Where is my apple? I’m going to die. Goodbye.“
For 32 years, Lynn carried the weight of Layla’s last request in her heart. Determined to honor her memory and the memory of countless other children who perished during those dark times, she returned to the now-renamed Recep T. Erdogan Hospital to plant apple trees as a symbol of honor and remembrance.
Lynn’s Coming Back To Mogadishu After 32 Years.
Lynn stood on the hospital grounds where she had worked decades earlier. She addressed a small gathering, including hospital staff, and media members. Her voice trembled with emotion as she recounted her poignant experience with Layla, emphasizing the resilience and spirit of the Somali people.
Lynn revealed that Layla’s dying wish had profoundly impacted her life. “I haven’t eaten an apple in 28 years,” she confessed. “Every time I think of an apple, I remember Layla’s last wish. I couldn’t find an apple for her then, but today, we plant these apple trees for Layla and I hope the world gets to know Layla’s story.”
The ceremony was a moving tribute, highlighting the enduring bond formed between Lynn and the people of Somalia. Two plaques were placed near the newly planted trees. One plaque dedicates the apple trees to Layla and all the children who have died in Somalia. The other plaque shares Layla’s story in Somali, ensuring that her memory and the broader story of Somalia’s struggles and resilience are preserved.
As Lynn planted the first apple tree, she expressed her hopes for the future. “We planted these apple trees for Layla and other Somali children,” she said.
Although apples are not traditionally grown in Somalia, the climate in certain regions has the potential to support their cultivation. However, attempts to grow apple trees have been limited or almost non-existent, resulting in a scarcity of apple orchards. Despite these challenges, apples are highly valued among Somalis who have had the chance to taste them.
Their rarity and sweetness have made them a treasured fruit in Somalia, underscoring the significance of Lynn’s gesture in planting apple trees in memory of Layla.
Lynn’s return to Mogadishu and her heartfelt gesture of planting apple trees stand as a testament to the power of compassion and remembrance, reminding the world of the enduring impact of human connections formed in times of crisis.
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Green Media Initiative – GMI (also known as Warbaahinta Cagaaran in Somali) is Somalia’s first green media hub, committed to promoting environmental awareness and production sustainability. Our work includes producing documentaries, films, messages, radio programs, and podcasts focusing on green sectors and climate impact. GMI brings together senior journalists, agronomists, environmentalists, and climate activists to achieve significant impacts on climate change in the Somali context. #ConnectingSomalia’sGreenVoices.
