Under United States law a refugee is an individual who: Under United States law a refugee is an individual who: Is located outside of the United States Is located outside of the United States Is of special humanitarian concern to the United States Is of special humanitarian concern to the United States Demonstrates that they were persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group Demonstrates that they were persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group Is not firmly resettled in another country Is not firmly resettled in another country Is admissible to the United States Is admissible to the United States

Only 12, 000 of them are from Africa Only 12, 000 of them are from Africa -Even fewer are from Somalia Civil war cost the lives of over 20,000 men and displaced over Civil war cost the lives of over 20,000 men and displaced over 300,000 people World Health Organization Statistics: World Health Organization Statistics: Population of Somalia: 8.5 million Child Deaths Under 5: 145 per 1000 Life Expectancy: 54/males 56/females

10 years or more living in a refugee camp, most likely in Kenya. Some of the camps have 80,000 people in them10 years or more living in a refugee camp, most likely in Kenya. Some of the camps have 80,000 people in them The current government in Somalia is unstable and transitional. The current government in Somalia is unstable and transitional. Somalia's desire to unify into a greater Somalia is unpopular with its Kenyan and Ethiopian neighbors. Somalia's desire to unify into a greater Somalia is unpopular with its Kenyan and Ethiopian neighbors. Currently, a full 60% of Somalia’s population is nomadic, raising animals such as cattle and sheep. Currently, a full 60% of Somalia’s population is nomadic, raising animals such as cattle and sheep.

Traditionally nomads and seafarers Traditionally nomads and seafarers The effects of modernization resulted in a population shift into urban areas The effects of modernization resulted in a population shift into urban areas Widespread civil unrest has caused many to flee to the Middle East, Europe, the U.S., and Canada Widespread civil unrest has caused many to flee to the Middle East, Europe, the U.S., and Canada Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the U.S. Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the U.S. Few natural resources exist in Somalia Although some oil, gas and marketable minerals can be found, none have been exploited today because of internal strife and political turmoil. Few natural resources exist in Somalia Although some oil, gas and marketable minerals can be found, none have been exploited today because of internal strife and political turmoil.

Traditionally, Somali people are socially organized into clans Traditionally, Somali people are socially organized into clans Clans play an important role in politics and culture; families are Patrilineal Clans play an important role in politics and culture; families are Patrilineal Marriages play an Marriages play an important role in clan alliances

Men traditionally have the most political and social power Men traditionally have the most political and social power Men make political decisions democratically in counsels Men make political decisions democratically in counsels With recent changes in social dynamics, women have been incorporated into social life at a greater level With recent changes in social dynamics, women have been incorporated into social life at a greater level In general, Somali women participate in society, get an education, and may travel without presence of husband In general, Somali women participate in society, get an education, and may travel without presence of husband

Political history that has put Somalia into current position. Political history that has put Somalia into current position. Current political situation Current political situation United States policy on Somalia United States policy on Somalia Emergency programs for Emergency programs for Somalia that the United States participates in

Beliefs Beliefs Islam Islam No pork No pork Only properly “clean” or Only properly “clean” or “Halal” foods can be consumed “Halal” foods can be consumed Holidays Holidays Ramadan: fasting during the Ramadan: fasting during the day, etc Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca. Feed the poor

Health concerns in Africa Health concerns in Africa Marasmus: deficiencies caused by Marasmus: deficiencies caused by severe undernutrition. Kwashiorkor: illness caused by Kwashiorkor: illness caused by protein deficiency. Health concerns in Colorado Potential calcium deficiencies caused by Potential calcium deficiencies caused by lowered intake of milk. Fresh, tasty vegetables are not easily accessible which can lead other deficiencies prevented by nutrient rich vegetables Fresh, tasty vegetables are not easily accessible which can lead other deficiencies prevented by nutrient rich vegetables

Meat Meat Goats, cows, chickens, camel Goats, cows, chickens, camel Vegetables Vegetables Potatoes, onions, peas, carrots, lettuce Potatoes, onions, peas, carrots, lettuce Salads: lettuce, cabbage, cilantro, lime dressing Salads: lettuce, cabbage, cilantro, lime dressing Milk Milk Goats, cows, camel Goats, cows, camel Grain Grain Rice, corn, sorghum Rice, corn, sorghum Ingera: a bread made from flour Ingera: a bread made from flour

Meats Meats Cow, chicken Cow, chicken Greatly disliked from fat concentration Greatly disliked from fat concentration Vegetables Vegetables Mostly the same Mostly the same Organic tastes best, but is very expensive Organic tastes best, but is very expensive Milk Milk Cow Cow Disliked because of the taste Disliked because of the taste Grain Grain Wheat, rice Wheat, rice

Prefer organically grown produce but are expensive Prefer organically grown produce but are expensive Meat higher in fat Meat higher in fat School Lunches School Lunches Fast Food Fast Food Availability of usual foods Availability of usual foods

We would like to dearly thank the members of the East African Community of Colorado for being willing to share their culture with us. A special thank you to Fatima for preparing a traditional African dish for us to sample.