In Somalia, parents don't talk to their children's teachers. They can't trust the police, and there's nothing resembling a child welfare agency.
When parents have problems with their children, they turn to their community, their elders and family members.
Take that culture, add a different language and some poverty and drop it into the United States -- where even folks who grew up here have trouble navigating the maze of agencies -- and confusion reigns.
My Voice Somalia, a group created by Portland State University student Faduma Ali, helped bring together some of those agencies and about 100 Somalis at the Beaverton School District's Westview High on Wednesday night to help the immigrants and refugees understand who to turn to for help.
It was the first gathering of its kind in the Beaverton area, and it was clear from their questions that the Somali parents are afraid for their children, especially after the arrest of a suspected bomber in Portland in November.
Mohamed Mohamud, a 19-year-old Somali immigrant and a Westview High School graduate, is accused of plotting to set off a van loaded with a massive bomb next to Pioneer Courthouse Square on Nov. 26.
The arrest sent a shudder through the small Somali community in Beaverton and has made parents more aware of keeping tabs on their children and who their kids spend time with.
On Wednesday, they learned who could help them if they have concerns. The panel included Beaverton School District Superintendent Jerry Colonna, Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, President of the Bilal Mosque of Beaverton Shahriar Ahmed, Beaverton Police Capt. Eric Oathes, Department of Human Services supervisor David Matz, Luthern Community Services therapist Assefash Melles and Westview High student Mustaf Hirsi.
Each of the speakers tried to ease the divide in cultures, welcoming the Somalis and asking them to become involved in the community.
"We are working to send a message of inclusion and belonging in our community," said Doyle, adding that the city recently has been meeting with Somalis in the community and is working on developing more programs to help them.
Ahmed reminded the Somali families to give back as well and used John F. Kennedy's famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country."
"Let us become examples of what we can give back," he said. He told them to get involved with their children. Visit the school and get to know their teachers. He offered his help in breaking down the barriers for people.
Beaverton Capt. Oathes offered a similar suggestion: "Understand who their friends are and where they're going because, as a parent, you have the greatest influence on your children."
Matz, from child welfare services, described child abuse and neglect law in Oregon related to leaving kids alone at home and unacceptable types of punishment
One of the highlights of the evening was Hirsi, an obvious role model for any kid. The Westview High senior, who was born in Somalia "when there was no government," plans to get a degree in criminal justice. He also stressed the importance of his countrymen and women getting involved in their new country.
"I'm going to be the first Somali police officer in Oregon," he said, and received some of the loudest applause of the evening.
As the meeting ended, several parents stepped forward to talk with the superintendent, the police officer and mayor -- people they said they would never have considered they had the right to talk to.
"I'm very happy because there was a distance between the communities," said Rahma Ali, as she left the meeting.
Source: Oregon Live.com
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