Mohamed Idris | Executive Director
Forced to flee Eritrea at a moment’s notice as a child, Mr. Idris is deeply conscious of the experiences and needs – both material and emotional – of those subjected to hardship in the Horn. After a challenging journey, he arrived in the United States in 1999. With over 20 years in the humanitarian field, Mr. Idris has gathered extensive knowledge and vast experience on issues and matters pertaining to the Horn of Africa region. This has allowed him to travel widely and speak on matters pertaining to the well-being of the Horn. In addition, his ability to speak fluently in English, Arabic, and Tigre make him an even more unique and robust speaker. He has shared his expertise on numerous local radio stations, such as KFAI and MPR, as well as television programs like The Stream (AlJazeera), Fox9 News, PBS Newshour and much more.

Mohamed Idris is a co-founder and current Executive Director of ARAHA. He is currently serving as a board member of Interaction an alliance organization in Washington, D.C. of about 180 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that work around the world. From 2007 to 2014, Mr. Idris also served as a member and vice-chair of the board of directors at Life for Relief and Development. He earned an associate degree in Pharmaceutical Science in Kuwait, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University, and a master’s degree in Management from Hamline University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate program in Organization Development and Change at the University of St. Thomas.

Fatuma Osman | Accountant Assistant
I was born, raised, and completed high school in the highland part of Eritrea. I moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for Telecommunication two years training program right after high school graduation. After I graduated from the Telecommunication training program, I worked at the Satellite Earth Station in Suluta Ethiopia for three years before I came to the United States of America. I graduated with two years of an Associate degree in Electronics from ITT technical Institute from Anaheim CA, and two years Associate degree in Administrative Assistant from MCTC technical college, Minneapolis, MN before I got started working with ARAHA in 2008.  The impact of our generous donors, our supporters on the lives of the neediest people in the horn of Africa keeps me working!

Hope Hennessey | Development Director

Hope is new to the ARAHA team and started in the fall of 2021. She has worked in the nonprofit field for over 10 years specializing in operations, events, and management.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from Saint Cloud State University where she studied Communications and Political Science. She is currently working on her Master’s in International Development. She also received a professional certificate in Fundraising and Development from UC Davis.  

She’s had the opportunity to travel and work internationally in Nepal, Ecuador, Vietnam, China, and other countries. She is dedicated to helping vulnerable and displaced people and hopes to increase funding for ARAHA’s incredible vision of a sustainable Horn of Africa.  

She currently sits on the board of directors for the Sons of Norway and oversees their cultural programming. She also volunteers with the Red Cross. She enjoys watching the Vikings, exploring new places, and hiking- she even summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa!  

Yahya Idris | Orphan Program Coordinator
Yahya Hassan, was born and raised in Kenya and is the Orphan Program Coordinator with ARAHA. The program is one of the largest running and most important projects for the organization. He personally helps connect the donors with their sponsored children in the Horn. His great passion is to put a smile on an orphan's face. He believes a smile can change their world! Yahya graduated with honors from the International University of Africa-Sudan with a degree in Economics.