In the Fall of 1999 a Somali-American and a former Peace Corps teacher (Somali Republic, 62-64) began talking about how to help Somalia become a self-sufficient and productive nation. The conclusion that was reached was that the goals could best be achieved through education of the young people there. Because of the Civil War educational opportunities had long been denied them.

The two founders of CASE felt that a trip to Somalia was the only way to attain a true understanding of the problems confronting the educational establishment there. In January of 2000 the two of them undertook a three-week visit to Northern Somalia. They spent time in Hargeisa and Borama talking to government officials and those involved in education. The bulk of their time was spent at Amoud University, at that time the only working University in the North.