About Us

The Darlington Gacmadheere Foundation is a Somali based Education charity set up in memory of Richard Darlington who was nicknamed "Gacmadheere" by the locals.
Richard R. Darlington was born on 9 January 1919. He was educated at Harrow, and came up to Gonville and Caius in 1938 to study the Geographical Tripos, though his studies were interrupted by the WWII, and he therefore took his BA degree in 1948. He was the commander of the Somaliland Protectorate’s contingent that fought in Burma during WWII.
He was regarded with enormous affection by many Somalis, who gave him the nickname 'Gacmadheere'. He left Somaliland in 1971 for Wales, just two years after the coup d’état staged by Siad Barre, and died in April 2007.
During his lifetime Mr Darlington contributed to an account with the Charities Aid Foundation and the Executors of his Will were authorised to determine an appropriate way to distribute the proceeds of this account. They decided that the funds should be used to assist with the education of students from Somaliland.

 

The Foundation's Mission

Promoting and developing education in Somaliland students.

Supporting financially to get appropriate education.

Promoting and educating the public the cultural and historical links between Somaliland and United Kingdom.