Hijabi model Halima Aden says she had a ‘happy’ childhood growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp – but says the process of being resettled was like The Hunger Games

• Halima Aden,22, opened up about childhood in United Nations Kakuma in Kenya
• The model was born there after her mother had fled the Somali civil war in 1994 
•  She told how the resettlement board was the ‘difference between life and death’
• Aden was first Muslim model to appear in Sports Illustrated in hijab and a burkini

Hijabi model Halima Aden opened up about her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp, admitting there were both ‘scars and the smiles’ growing up. 

The 22-year-old Somali-American model, who was first Muslim model to appear in Sports Illustrated in hijab and a burkini, was born in the United Nations Kakuma camp in Kenya, after her mother had fled the Somali civil war in 1994.

The model, who now lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was moved from the refugee camp to St. Louis, Missouri in 2004, before later relocating to St. Cloud, in Minnesota with her family. 

Speaking to the Observer Magazine, she told how while she had a happy childhood, she lived in ‘uncertainty’ and would often come back to find her home ‘washed away’, and then rebuilt by her community. 

She told that a board containing the names and destinations of those chosen to resettle elsewhere, was the difference between ‘life and death’ and likened it to a concept from from dystopian film series ‘The Hunger Games’.

Hijabi model Halima Aden (pictured) opened up about her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp, admitting there were both ‘scars and the smiles’ growing up 

The 22-year-old Somali-American model was first Muslim model to appear in Sports Illustrated in hijab and a burkini (pictured) 

‘It would be normal for me to go to nursery school, come back and find it had washed away,’ she said, adding that the community would then come together to rebuild. 

Halima told how a board, which had the names of those selected to be moved elsewhere, was reflective of how fragile their lives were in the camp. 

She told: ‘[It was like] like something out of The Hunger Games ‘It would control your entire future – it was literally the difference between life and death. 

The model was born in the United Nations Kakuma camp in Kenya, after her mother had fled the Somali civil war in 1994, she was relocated to to St. Louis, Missouri in 2004, before later moving to St. Cloud, Minnesota

She said that for parents it was like winning the lottery because it meant a new start, but children were less happy because it meant never seeing their friends again. 

Halima and her family were relocated to a poverty-stricken neighbourhood in St Louis in 2004, where her biggest hurdle was picking up English. 

However the model, who could already speak both Somali and Swahili, soon picked the language up with the help of songs like’Dilemma’ by Nelly, which she would mimic after hearing it on the radio. 

She was the first Muslim homecoming queen at her high school. Later, she was the first Somali student senator at her college.

When she competed in the Minnesota Miss USA competition in 2016, she was the first contestant to walk out in a burkini during the swimsuit portion. 

The star told how while she had a happy childhood, she lived in ‘uncertainty’ and would often come home to find her home ‘washed away’, and then rebuilt by her community 

She has continued to break down barriers, paving the way for others by covering Vogue Arabia, CR Fashion Book, Allure, and British Vogue in a hijab; starring in a Fenty campaign video ; and walking runways for Max Mara, Yeezy, The Blonds, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Aden will soon be gracing the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for the second time — just one year after she made history by becoming the first Muslim model to appear in the iconic magazine wearing a hijab and a burkini. 

In January this year, she became the first black woman with hijab to cover Essence magazine – but admitted to the publication that her mother doesn’t quite understand why Halima is so focused on visibility and inclusivity.

‘It’s important for me to be visible and to do whatever I can to let girls know that they don’t have to change who they are. I want them to know the world will meet them exactly where they stand,’ she said,

‘My mother doesn’t understand why representation is so important to me.  

In January this year, she became the first black woman with hijab to cover Essence magazine, where she opened up in an interview about he childhood 

She admitted to the publication that her mother doesn’t quite understand why Halima is so focused on visibility and inclusivity

‘Of course, she wants the same things for me that all parents want for their children — that I be of service, be a good person, lead an honest life, work hard and get an education.

‘But, at the same time, she doesn’t know the struggle I faced growing up in America and being in spaces where I was the only hijab-wearing girl or the only girl who looked like me.’

While her modeling career keeps her quite busy, Halima has also taken time to work as a UNICEF ambassador.  

‘When I was a refugee in Kakuma, UNICEF field workers gave me a sense of stability and hope that we were going to be okay,’ she said.

‘Now I’m able to give back. I think if you receive a blessing, you shouldn’t think of it as yours to keep. It’s more like a loan. Like, I got my wish. Now I have to pay it forward. 

‘If we all paid it forward, the world would be a much better place. I think this is the reason I am here.’ 

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