The Yeheb project achieved some important milestones in 2023, including registering as a UK charity which allows us to receive donations and benefit from Gift Aid. The security situation in Somalia deteriorated and it was no longer possible to travel there safely. We have therefore decided to focus on the Somali region of Ethiopia, which we hope to visit in 2024.
What does Yeheb taste like?
On 1 January 2023, Jared Rydelek who runs the Weird Explorer YouTube channel did a whole feature on Yeheb and kindly endorsed The Yeheb Project, as well as tasting the seeds. Jared is on a mission to try every edible fruit, nut and seed in the world. Somali friends say that while you can certainly eat Yeheb nuts raw or boiled, the taste is enhanced by roasting them and this is the preferred way. You can see his video below, he gives an excellent overview of the significance of Yeheb to the region. Thank you, Jared!
Becoming a charity
The Yeheb Project was for several years a part of the international movement Initiatives of Change, alongside Initiatives for Land, Lives and Peace, which you can read more about here. In order to demonstrate our independent governance and to be able to apply for grants and donations, we decided that the time had come for The Yeheb Project to become an independent charity. This also meant that we would have our own bank account and could accept donations.
The Yeheb Project is now established and regulated by the Charity Commission in England and Wales as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1193782. You can see our public information on their website.
Where we work
The project has so far been working in Somaliland and in December 2015 we successfully established Yeheb in six locations, shown below. You can find out more in this blog post from our Chair, Dr Muna Ismail.
Unfortunately, since 2017 the security situation has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer safe to return to these locations. We have learned useful lessons in how best to establish the Yeheb shrub, however it is disappointing no longer to be able to support our partners and local communities in the Togdheer and Sool regions, especially the University of Burao and the village of Ali Essa. We aim to return to these places as soon as it is safe.
Planning ahead
During 2024 we plan to establish a project in Ethiopia’s Somali region, whose climate, ecosystem and people are closely related to those in Somaliland. Our partners in the area have reserved an area of land that would be suitable so long as the Yeheb shrubs can be protected from grazing. If we are successful in fencing and planting this area, this would create a source of domesticated Yeheb seeds for future use – as well as benefiting the local community directly.
We would welcome advice and offers of help, particularly from those with experience of operating in the Horn of Africa. You can get in touch via our volunteering page, or the email icon below. Watch this space!