The Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah was founded in 2004 to serve the newly arrived Refugees and Immigrants in the United States. The idea of this Community Based Organization (CBO) came from other CBOs like the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, Catholic Community Services and the Asian Association of Utah who gave the Somali Bantu Community strong moral support to have their own community. They realized that the refugees arriving in the United States would need assistances and resources in adjusting to a new culture, new customs, new language and new health system.

 

     This association provides information and services that helps newcomers gain knowledge, confidence and develop proficiency in various skills. While maintaining cultural sensitivity it provides a cultural orientation for the newly arrived Somali Bantu refugees and immigrants throughout the State of Utah.

 

       As well as serving refugee and immigrant clients, the Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah also assists service providers in learning about meeting the needs of the Somali Bantu Community population. The Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah distributes information and referrals regarding the Somali Bantus to community and faith based organizations, government, agencies, hospitals, community interpretation and direct/indirect service providers throughout Salt Lake City -Utah.

 

     The Somali Bantu Association of Utah is led by the chairman of the Somali Bantu Community, Muridi Elmi and individuals working in various professional fields.

OCTOBER 2006              ISSUE#4                         

     Volunteers of the community are responsible for implementing the programs and services.  These volunteers are involved in  different activities such as: translation, interpretation, health education, case management, hygiene orientation instruction, housing problem solving, job development and social services referrals.  The Center for Multicultural Health is collaborating with this association in some health education projects.

 

Board of Director

Muridi Elmi

Chief Executive Committee Officer

Contact: 801-759-5715

Abdirahman Mhandeni

Vice President

Contact: 801-915-3980

Abdullahi Kulow

Treasurer

Staff / Somali Bantu Refugee Community Helpers

Dhurow Jumale

Religion Leader

Abdullahi Abdi

Youth Sport Specialist

Mohamed Abdi

Youth Coordinator

Isnino Farah

Women Representative

Osman Haji

Social Services Coordinator

Osman Hassan

SBA-U Representative

Jibril Hussein

Youth Director

Yahya Abdalla

Community Services Specialist

Abdi-Malik Mohamed

Executive Director

Who is a Refugee?  A refugee is a person who has fled from his/her homeland and seeks protection due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, and membership in a particular social group and/or having a particular political opinion.