Defend 20 children too young for prison

Dear friends and supporters,

Five years ago, our very first client was a boy under 14 years of age — a child who should have been in school, not behind bars.

It was November 2020. The world was in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, but children were still being detained in Somaliland — some as young as twelve. My colleague Idiris and I rented a small desk near the courthouse in Hargeisa and began taking their cases. Out of that uncertainty, the Children’s Legal Defense Center (CLDC) was born.

That first case shaped everything that followed.
Since then, we have defended 2,898 imprisoned children — many of them under 15 years old. Each one reminds us why this work matters: because every child deserves protection, not punishment.

We’ve seen judges begin to interpret the law with compassion and respect for children’s rights. We’ve seen families reunited and children return to school with hope for a new beginning.

But the need continues. Every month, new cases reach us — children too young for prison, still awaiting someone to stand beside them.

As we mark five years of CLDC’s work, we also face a hard truth: funding for justice work is shrinking, even as these cases keep coming.

Your support keeps this lifeline open.
Every donation helps us reach another child, secure their release, and ensure that no one under 15 is left to face the law alone.

Thank you for standing with us — and for standing up for Somaliland’s children.

With gratitude,
Caitlin Lambert
Eecutive Director, Children’s Legal Defense Center

In June, the Children’s Legal Defense Center (CLDC) took on 10 new cases involving children aged 14 or younger, including 1 girl. These are some of the most vulnerable children in Somaliland’s justice system—too young to be behind bars, yet often treated as if they are not.

We’re proud to report that 1 of these children was released in June. While small, this victory is significant in a system where detention is still too often the default.

Importantly, none of the children under 14 were convicted this month—a sign that ongoing legal intervention is making a real difference in keeping very young children out of long-term detention.

These early interventions can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Whether it’s legal defense, family support, or negotiating alternatives to incarceration, your donations are ensuring that these children receive the protection and dignity they deserve.

Thank you for standing with Somaliland’s youngest and most at-risk children. Your support continues to help us fight for their futures—one case at a time.