Run, Layla, run
After fleeing her Somalian homeland and eventually achieving U.N. refugee status, Layla Sheikh came to the United States, where her ordeal continued. She has lived on Maui for almost five years, but is still haunted by memories of her home.
DARBY?GILL photo
For as long as she can remember, Layla Sheikh has been running.
She started when she was 4 years old in her homeland of Somalia, where as a child she was constantly fleeing for her life — from tribal gunmen, border guards, lions, boars and other wild animals.
Fast forward to today and Layla is now a tall, lean and spirited 27-year-old living and thriving here on Maui. She continues to run throughout the island, although nowadays she’s doing it on her own terms.
“As a child I would run for my life,” she remembers. “Now I use running to cope with the things that are going through me head — it has really helped me to find my way.”
What happened over the years and the path that has led her to Maui is a tale begging to be told. It’s a story marred with rape, starvation and genocide of unimaginable proportions … and hope.
“I’ve had a very tough life, but I am also very lucky to be here today,” says Layla. “I want people to know a
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