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A New Program Provides Somali Youth an Opportunity on STEM Education

A program dedicated to help Somali youth participate in Science and technology education is getting an extension. Kajoog, a Somali nonprofit alongside University of Minnesota are giving kids from Cedar Riverside neighborhood an introduction into the STEM field. STEM is a curriculum based on Science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In today’s very competitive job market, STEM majors are becoming more desirable by innovation driven companies but less desirable by the general population. That is why the unemployment rate among graduates with STEM degree is below 2%. The demand is significantly lower than the supply, hence the reason for the low unemployment rate. The 4-H STEM program was started in March of 2016 by Kajoog, a nonprofit who secured a $50,000 grant through the Minneapolis city council.  The program has been so successful that it has opened locations in Saint Paul and Eden Prairie as well. Over 50 kids are registered for the year 2017 and has a growing waitlist. Farah, executive director of Kajoog said, “every parent wants their kid to be the next engineer and the next doctor, We’re able to expose these potential careers to these kids by them being involved in the 4-H world.” 4 H is…

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MAXAAD KA TAQAAN TAARIIKHDII QORIDDDII AFKA- SOMAALIGA

Halkan waxan ku soo qaadan doonaa taarikh kooban oo ku saabsan sidii loo doortay fartii lagu qoray afkka hooyo. Fartii lagu qori lahaa af- Soomaliga muddo badan ayaa niyadda lagu hayey. Afka Soomliga in la qoro dad Soomali iyo Ajaanab ah ayaa muddo badan ka shaqaynayey. Mudadaas iyada ah waxa la isku haystey fartii lagu qori lahaa Afka-Soomaliga.. Waxa jirey dhawr farood oo ay ka mid ahaayeen far Soomali (sida Cusmaaniya, Boorama iyo kadare), Carabi (oo loo yaqaaney Wadaad) iyo Laatiin. Markii la isku af-gaaran waayey, ayaa sannadkii 1964 waxa la horgeeyey baarlamankii Soomaliya. Muddo badan ayaa laga doodayey. Buuq badan ayaa ka dhex abuurmay mudanayaashii baarlamaanka. Waxay ku dhowaatay in la isku farasaaro. Mudanayaashii ayaa ku kala qaybsamay fartii la qaadan lahaa. Doodii ayaa aad u adkaatay. Mudanayaasha qar ka mid ah ayaa ku dooday, “Laatin waa diin la’aan.” Dadweynihii Soomaliyeed sidii baarlamanka oo kale ayey u kala qaybsameen. Dadka qaaar baa ku dooday in far Soomaliga laqaato maadaama ay rag Soomaliyeed soo saareen. Dadka qaarna waxay ku doodeen in farta Carabiga lagu qoro maadaama Quraanku ku qoranyahay. Dad kalena waxay ku doodeen in Laatiin lagu qoro si loola qabsado teknologiyada cusub. Waa la isku mariwaayey. Halkaas baa lagu…

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Somali Non-Profits Team Up For a Stronger Voice

Minneapolis is home to hundreds of non-profit organizations that provide services tailored to the Somali community. Few months ago, the most influential Somali nonprofits joined forces to create a lobbying voice in the MN state legislature. This coalition of Somali non profits are hoping to overcome the obstacles that face the Somali-American community in Minnesota. The coalition currently consists of 8 organizations and it’s unclear if they will be expanding. The current members are African Immigrants Community Services; the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota; Isuroon; Ka Joog; New American Academy; Shanta Link; Somali Action Alliance; and Somali American Parent Association. The Somali community in Minnesota has faced recent scrutiny over the recruitment of young Somalis by international terrorist organization.. The Somali community faces countless challenges that include but are not limited to high unemployment rates, weak family structures, lack of education and the slow integration into their new communities. These challenges can only be overcome by community programs tailored to the under priveledged community. In April 2015, a study released by University of Southern California, funded by the Homeland security department found that most Somali nonprofits in Minnesota who secured government grants have not been effective. It is important…

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Somali-American Painter Draws Somalia Before the War

Aziz Osman of Colombia heights has been quietly painting gorgeous drawings of Somalia before the war. His work is displayed in public and private spaces across the twin cities. Vibrant paintings by Aziz can be found in Hennepin county Medical Center in Minneapolis, Thrivent financial services building and The African development center in Cedar riverside just to name a few. Aziz migrated to Minnesota in 1991 escaping a war torn Somalia to find a better life for him and his family. As an Italian educated painter, after arriving in Minnesota, Aziz had the urge to paint but did not have the money to buy supplies. So he improvised, Aziz used anything from Cereal Boxes, to shipping containers to create art he could sell. As a parking attendant during the day, Aziz found a small market for his very low budget paintings. “I want to remind these kids where they come from, to tell them: You have a lot of treasure,” said the soft spoken artist. Aziz paints murals and oil canvasses of scenes from back when Somali was peaceful. One of his main motivations is to keep the Somali American youth informed on how Somalia used to be and what…