Now Halimo Ali is realizing his dream. It may affect many others.

Women from Somalia have taken an ever so small leap into the labor market. Halimo Ali wants to continue that trend. She started sewing to help the most vulnerable get a job.

The curtain at the back of the store is pulled aside. Between sewing machines and fabric rolls, a model wearing a long party dress in red and ocher walks forward. Halimo Ali made the dress. It’s not quite done. She straightens her back. Inserts some needles. Attaches a woven ribbon that goes over the bust and shoulders.

Halimo Ali (51) is both a designer, educated from Esmod in Oslo, and a social entrepreneur. In August last year, she opened Halimo & Co. in a bright shop in Greenland in Oslo. Here, dresses for parties and weddings are sewn, inspired by traditional Somali patterns and western fashion. They also perform repairs, take on assignments.