About my Mother, Hana:

Hooyo Macaan – My Sweet Hooyo 

Hana Hussein Musa was more than a mother, she was the heart of our family, a source of endless love, strength, and warmth. She raised six children with patience, deep faith, and a love that knew no limits. To us, she was Hooyo Macaan, our sweet mother, the one who made every hardship lighter and every joy more meaningful. In Somali culture, Hooyo means mother, but it carries a deeper meaning. Hooyo in Somali means both mother and home. When we say Hooyo, we are not just calling out to our mothers, we are calling our mothers our home, our safe place, our foundation. It is also why, as a term of endearment, they also call us Hooyo in return, because just as they are our home, we are also their home and their comfort. She was our Hooyo, the pillar of our home, resilient and selfless, always putting others before herself, carrying burdens in silence so her children could walk lighter.

 Hana embodied all of this and more. With a heart full of kindness, Hooyo was always ready to offer support, laughter, and comfort. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and appreciated, her presence a light that brightened the lives of those around her. Her home was a refuge, her words a source of wisdom, and her love a guiding force that shaped her family and community. 

Guided by her faith in Islam, she embodied compassion in its purest form, giving without hesitation, loving without condition, and believing in the power of human connection. Her kindness had no boundaries, and her ability to uplift others was a gift she shared with generosity and grace. We lost our mother to suicide, and the weight of that loss is something we carry every day. But from that pain came a purpose, to ensure that no one else has to suffer in silence, that those struggling with mental health feel supported, and that every story is met with compassion, not shame. The Hana Legacy Foundation was created in her honour, to preserve her legacy, inspire others, and continue the spirit of love and compassion that defined her life. Hana’s journey is a reminder that our true legacy is found in the love we give, the kindness we share, and the lives we touch. Though she is no longer with us, Hooyo Macaan’s love continues to live on in the hearts of those she left behind. Through this foundation, we are committed to sharing her message of hope, strength, and enduring compassion, ensuring that her light never fades. 

She was more than her illness.
She was more than her pain.
She was love, she was light, she was everything to us.

She has a name, and her name is Hana Musa.