Cultural Orientation Dadaab Refugee Camps Dadaab, Kenya Robinson Cook

In January of 2009, I spent one week observing the cultural orientation classes for refugees in Dadaab Kenya before their resettlement to the United States. This presentation only represents what I experienced along the way. I simply recorded and photographed what I saw, heard and touched. I am now sharing it with friends and colleagues to help unhinge the misperceptions people have about refugees who come from East Africa and in particular, Somalia. In the end I hope anyone who views this presentation can appreciate what refugees have gone through just to come to the U.S.. I hope you share in the hopes and dreams of your future neighbors, co-workers, and friends.

What Do You Know About Somalia? What Do You Know About The Dadaab Refugee Camps?

1960 – Somali independence from Italy and merger with British Somaliland 1960 - Adan Adulle Osman elected as President 1967 - Abdirashid Ali Sharmaarke elected as 2 nd president and 1969 - Abdirashid Ali Sharmaarke assassinated by his bodyguard in 1969. 1969 - General Mohamed Said Barre took over during a bloodless coup. History Mogadishu

Conflict In Somalia Taxi that runs between the refugee camps. 1991 - Said Barre was ousted by a Northern and Southern clan based force called the USC lead by Military leader General Mohamed Farah AIdid and Abdirahman Tura 1996 - Mohamed Farrah Aidid was killed in Mogadishu. Since 1991 there have been fourteen efforts at national reconciliation. 2009 - Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed elected President The basis of most of the conflicts was clan allegiances and competition for resources between the warring clans.

Some recent major players in Somalia include: Islamic Courts Union (ICU) Al Shabaab U.S. Backed Ethiopian Forces Puntland Regional Authority Republic of Somaliland Transitional Federal Government 2009 - Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed - President Today The civil war disrupted agriculture and food distribution in southern Somalia.

Some recent major players in Somalia include:

Islamic Courts Union (ICU)

Al Shabaab

U.S. Backed Ethiopian Forces

Puntland Regional Authority

Republic of Somaliland

Transitional Federal Government

2009 - Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed - President

Ethnicities - Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000) Religion – Primarily Sunni Muslim Languages – Somali (official), Arab, English, Italian. Natural Resources - Uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves People and Culture Somali Refugee entering UNHCR Compound for her initial resettlement interview

Ethnicities - Somali 85%, Bantu and other

non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

Religion – Primarily Sunni Muslim

Languages – Somali (official), Arab, English, Italian.

Natural Resources - Uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Ifo Hagadera Dagahaley were built in 1991 to host 90,000 refugees. Today, The camps cover a total area of 50 square km and are within an 18 km radius of one another to host more than 230,000 refugees. The Three Dadaab Refugee Camps Marquee at the entrance to IFO refugee camp

Ifo

Hagadera

Dagahaley

were built in 1991 to host 90,000 refugees. Today, The camps cover a total area of 50 square km and are within an 18 km radius of one another to host more than 230,000 refugees.

Somali Ethiopian Congolese Eritrean Sudanese Dadaab Ethnic Groups Retelling of persecution story by Somali refugee.

Somali Ethiopian Congolese

Eritrean Sudanese

The continuing conflict in Somalia has led to a steady inflow of refugees over the subsequent years with no sign of easing up. More than 60,000 Somalis crossed into Kenya in 2008. Most come from Mogadishu and the Lower Juba regions of Kismayo, Jamame and Afmadow. Dadaab is also a division in the Garissa District , which suffered a severe drought for almost four years. Dadaab is approximately 40 kilometers (26 miles) from the Somali border. Dadaab

The continuing conflict in Somalia has led to a steady inflow of refugees over the subsequent years with no sign of easing up.

More than 60,000 Somalis crossed into Kenya in 2008.

Most come from Mogadishu and the Lower Juba regions of Kismayo, Jamame and Afmadow.

Dadaab is also a division in the Garissa District , which suffered a severe drought for almost four years.

Dadaab is approximately 40 kilometers (26 miles) from the Somali border.

Landscapes Dry landscape in the Garissa district of Kenya. Landscapes

UNHCR - Referral and case creation OPE - Pre-screen & case verification USCIS - Resettlement interview & decision IOM - Medical examination OPE - Cultural orientation IOM - Travel to U.S. 5 ports of entry Voluntary Agency - Resettlement in U.S. Refugee Timeline Individuals being interviewed by JVA Kenya

UNHCR - Referral and case creation

OPE - Pre-screen & case verification

USCIS - Resettlement interview & decision

IOM - Medical examination

OPE - Cultural orientation

IOM - Travel to U.S. 5 ports of entry

Voluntary Agency - Resettlement in U.S.

UNHCR – United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Individuals Large groups of compelling concern: The Lost Boys of Sudan. NGO (Non-Government Organization) U.S. Embassy A family member in the U.S. Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) Visa 92/93 UNHCR Morning role call – Hagadera. 1. Referral from one of the following:

UNHCR – United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Individuals

Large groups of compelling concern: The Lost Boys of

Sudan.

NGO (Non-Government Organization)

U.S. Embassy

A family member in the U.S.

Affidavit of Relationship (AOR)

Visa 92/93

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Pre-screen Biographical Data Form Fill Persecution Story Refugee referred to U.S. Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) UNHCR case creation. 2. Case Creation

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

Pre-screen

Biographical Data

Form Fill

Persecution Story

Refugee referred to U.S. Overseas Processing Entity (OPE)

JVA Kenya morning role call. Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) – JVA Kenya Pre-screen Form Fill Persecution Story Refugee Referred to USCIS *They are verifying all of the data presented by the referring agency, qualifying the refugee and clarifying any gaps in the persecution story. 3. Pre-Screen

Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) – JVA Kenya

Pre-screen

Form Fill

Persecution Story

Refugee Referred to USCIS

*They are verifying all of the data presented by the referring agency, qualifying the refugee and clarifying any gaps in the persecution story.

Refugee interview area. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) USCIS Interviews refugee and takes one of the following actions: Approves case for resettlement Denies case for resettlement Puts case on hold or pending 4. USCIS Interview

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

USCIS Interviews refugee and takes one of the following actions:

Approves case for resettlement

Denies case for resettlement

Puts case on hold or pending

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Medical examinations X-Rays Vaccinations/Immunizations Preparations for travel logistics to U.S. 5. Medical Examinations IOM medical examination area

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Medical examinations

X-Rays

Vaccinations/Immunizations

Preparations for travel logistics to U.S.

Joint Voluntary Agency (JVA) Kenya Cultural Orientation to those refugees coming to the U.S. U.S. culture, people, government and history Values and beliefs Travel to U.S. Info on resettlement agencies and community services in the U.S. Cultural Orientation class. 6. Cultural Orientation

Joint Voluntary Agency (JVA) Kenya

Cultural Orientation to those refugees coming to the U.S.

U.S. culture, people, government and history

Values and beliefs

Travel to U.S.

Info on resettlement agencies and community services in the U.S.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Transportation to transit center Airport check-in Flight to U.S. Accompany refugee to 5 ports of entry: New York, Newark, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles and to connecting flight for final destination. Refugees on their way to transit center in Nairobi. 7. Travel to the U.S.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Transportation to transit center

Airport check-in

Flight to U.S.

Accompany refugee to 5 ports of entry: New York, Newark, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles and to connecting flight for final destination.

JVA Kenya Cultural Orientation Staff - Nairobi Kenya

18-30 Class size 3 Days long 6 hours of instruction per day 1 trainer per class Coordination with UNHCR, IOM, JVA Operations and USCIS Curriculum developed with the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Quick Facts About Cultural Orientation Cultural orientation class in IFO

18-30 Class size

3 Days long

6 hours of instruction per day

1 trainer per class

Coordination with UNHCR, IOM, JVA Operations and USCIS

Curriculum developed with the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)

What is the purpose of cultural orientation for refugees in the United States? To prepare for life in the U.S. and help minimize culture shock. Who funds U.S. Cultural Orientation? The U.S. State Department. In East Africa, cultural orientation is carried out by the Joint Voluntary Agency (Overseas Processing Entity). When is Cultural Orientation provided? After Refugees have been approved for resettlement to the U.S. by The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Cultural Orientation trainers meet before traveling to Dadaab. About Cultural Orientation

What is the purpose of cultural orientation for refugees in the United States? To prepare for life in the U.S. and help minimize culture shock.

Who funds U.S. Cultural Orientation? The U.S. State Department. In East Africa, cultural orientation is carried out by the Joint Voluntary Agency (Overseas Processing Entity).

When is Cultural Orientation provided? After Refugees have been approved for resettlement to the U.S. by The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

CO trainers preparing for the first day of class tomorrow

CO trainers meet with locally hired interpreters to go over the lesson plan.

United States Overview Resettlement Agency Community Services Housing Employment Financial Literacy Transportation Education Health Cultural Adjustment Travel Rights and Responsibilities U.S. Law Topics Addressed in Cultural Orientation A sign leading to the classrooms in the refugee camp.

United States Overview

Resettlement Agency

Community Services

Housing

Employment

Financial Literacy

Transportation

Education

Health

Cultural Adjustment

Travel

Rights and Responsibilities

U.S. Law

Amina – Cultural Orientation morning role call.

Amina – Cultural Orientation morning role call.

Cultural Orientation class list.

“ What do you know about the U.S.?”

“ What do you fear about the U.S. ?” Not getting there (the plane has problems) Gangs Not Getting Jobs The whites taking family members Dogs guard old people; if they leave the old people get lost (reference to seeing eye dogs)

“ What do you fear about the U.S. ?”

Not getting there (the plane has problems)

Gangs

Not Getting Jobs

The whites taking family members

Dogs guard old people; if they leave the old people get lost (reference to seeing eye dogs)

Amina explains how transportation operates in America

Amina explaining the difference between the public and private health care systems.

Amina stops the video to explain that you actually sit on a toilet as opposed to squatting.

Jeff explains the different types of financial assistance available to refugees.

Jeff explains the tenant landlord relationship.

Refugees in cultural orientation class in IFO.

Refugees asking questions about the housing video they just watched.

Visual aids to help explain civil rights, American history, money and identifications.

Refugees learning about travel to the U.S.

Cultural Orientation Discussion About Child Support

Question: What are the good things about Somali culture?

Question: What are the not so good things about Somali culture?

Question: What is good and not so good about Ethiopian (Anywok) culture? Good: Marry one woman Traditional dance Men and women are equal and they love each other Men and women eat together Not so good: If you marry and you don’t have the money, the father-in-law will beat you We knock out the women’s bottom six teeth Biting people is not good

Good:

Marry one woman

Traditional dance

Men and women are equal and they love each other

Men and women eat together

Not so good:

If you marry and you don’t have the money, the father-in-law will beat you

We knock out the women’s bottom six teeth

Biting people is not good

Answer: Here are the good things about our culture. We greet strangers when they come to our home. Somali’s slaughter an animal for a visitor Respect for old people Respect between man and woman Help the disabled and needy Respect between parents and children Respect neighbors rights and rights between neighbors Intermarriage within Somali community brings people together In Somali culture men have their dress and women have theirs There is equality among Somali men There is only one religion Somali’s don’t steal In Somali culture people trust each other Somali’s maintain cleanliness and hygiene

We greet strangers when they come to our home.

Somali’s slaughter an animal for a visitor

Respect for old people

Respect between man and woman

Help the disabled and needy

Respect between parents and children

Respect neighbors rights and rights between neighbors

Intermarriage within Somali community brings people together

In Somali culture men have their dress and women have theirs

There is equality among Somali men

There is only one religion

Somali’s don’t steal

In Somali culture people trust each other

Somali’s maintain cleanliness and hygiene

Answer: Here are the not so good things about our culture. Female Genital Mutilation Marriage out of wedlock Forced marriage Women being tortured Early Marriage Women inheritance Forced divorce between loved couples Not using child spacing Child labor especially underage children Very high dowry demand – 100 camels Women not given or participating in the inheritance of father’s wealth Young girls given to old men to marry in order for her family to get wealth from him Discrimination against the minority and disadvantaged groups in society

Female Genital Mutilation

Marriage out of wedlock

Forced marriage

Women being tortured

Early Marriage

Women inheritance

Forced divorce between loved couples

Not using child spacing

Child labor especially underage children

Very high dowry demand – 100 camels

Women not given or participating in the inheritance of father’s wealth

Young girls given to old men to marry in order for her family to get wealth from him

Discrimination against the minority and disadvantaged groups in society

Cultural Orientation Classes Life cycle of resettlement emotions for refugees. 2. Resettlement Bliss 4. Depression & Culture Shock 5. Stabilization. 1. Anticipation and excitement 3. Reality of new life in the U.S.

Cultural Orientation Video About Integration and Culture Shock

“ This discussion about the illegality of female genital mutilation in the U.S. is really more of a discussion about different values and how you will handle it when your values are challenged in your new setting.”

“ What will you do when your neighbors are drinking alcohol and barbecuing pork? What will you do when you are not permitted to leave work early to observe Ramadan?”

The inside of an airplane

The inside of an airplane.

You will have an assigned seat throughout the flight.

Here is what your plane ticket will look like.

This is what your meal will look like. The flight attendants will bring it to you.

Congratulations on completing your cultural orientation. You will now travel to the U.S. within one to four weeks from today.

Titus explain traveling to the United States. “Do not open this bag until you reach the U.S.. It has all of your documentation.

Life In The Camps

All registered refugees are eligible for food from the World Food Program WFP Approximately 200 persons per day Frequency = Food is rationed to families 2 times a month Anybody age 18 and above can receive food on behalf of the family; however, it is distributed to the head of the household. Food is issued based on the size of the family and there are universal distribution standards. Food is distributed based on the available inventory. Cornmeal-420g, Vegetable oil-25g, Corn soya blend-55g, Lentils-60g, and Salt-5g Food Distribution

All registered refugees are eligible for food from the World Food Program WFP

Approximately 200 persons per day

Frequency = Food is rationed to families 2 times a month

Anybody age 18 and above can receive food on behalf of the family; however, it is distributed to the head of the household.

Food is issued based on the size of the family and there are universal distribution standards.

Food is distributed based on the available inventory.

Cornmeal-420g, Vegetable oil-25g, Corn soya blend-55g, Lentils-60g, and Salt-5g

World Food Program storage tent for rationed food items.

World Food program food storage area.

Visual representation of food rations so that everyone knows what they will receive.

One ration of lentils.

One ration of ground nuts.

One ration of corn soya blend.

One ration of salt.

One ration of cooking oil.

Final weigh-out of rations.

Entrance and exit to food distribution.

Post food rationing – IFO.

Camp walk ways.

Children playing in IFO on a Sunday afternoon.

Homes in IFO. IFO mechanic shop. IFO bicycle repair area. Homes in IFO.

Ethiopian children enjoying seeing the instant result on a digital camera

IFO clothing merchant. Camel meat. IFO Market. IFO Market.

IFO Guides.

Out of gas in the bush! Sleeping tent in U.N. compound. Ugali & goat meat. Grilled goat meat.

David - UNHCR Staff. Abas - IOM staff. Jeff and Mark – CO Trainers. UNHCR Case Workers.

$1,400 Airline Ticket Northwest & KLM - Minneapolis to Amsterdam/Amsterdam to Nairobi (16 hours of flying time) $300 U.N. Charter Plane to Dadaab roundtrip (Mondays & Wednesdays) $450 ($30/Night) - Mennonite Guesthouse & Tent in Dadaab $168 ($2 to $8/Day)- in Nairobi using taxi & public transportation $450 ($30/Day) - Food & Beverages includes cafeteria in Dadaab $50 Entry Visa - Payable at point of entry in CASH. $182 Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Center, Maasai Markets and entertainment. Total Trip Cost Approximately $3,000 Trip Cost

$1,400 Airline Ticket Northwest & KLM - Minneapolis to Amsterdam/Amsterdam to Nairobi (16 hours of flying time)

$300 U.N. Charter Plane to Dadaab roundtrip (Mondays & Wednesdays)

$450 ($30/Night) - Mennonite Guesthouse & Tent in Dadaab

$168 ($2 to $8/Day)- in Nairobi using taxi & public transportation

$450 ($30/Day) - Food & Beverages includes cafeteria in Dadaab

$50 Entry Visa - Payable at point of entry in CASH.

$182 Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Center, Maasai Markets and entertainment.

Total Trip Cost Approximately $3,000

www.churchworldservice.org www.iom.int www.unhcr.org How To Support International Refugee Resettlement Efforts

www.lssmn.org www.minnesota.wr.org www.ccspm.org www.mnchurches.org www.iimn.org How To Support Local Refugee Resettlement Efforts

www.lssmn.org

www.minnesota.wr.org

www.ccspm.org

www.mnchurches.org

www.iimn.org

Mission: To help reduce misperceptions about foreign cultures and perpetuate the belief that we are all more alike than different. Method to the Mission: After each segment of travel I will share my experiences with colleagues, friends, family, neighbors, and whomever else will listen in hopes that my efforts will help to eradicate ignorance about different cultures, places and values. About the Presenter Robinson Cook Professional Contact Info - Lutheran Social Services - Employment Service Director- 612-879-5318 [email_address] This presentation can be viewed and downloaded at: www.slideshare.net (Search Word: Dadaab Cultural Orientation)

Mission: To help reduce misperceptions about foreign cultures and

perpetuate the belief that we are all more alike than different.

Method to the Mission: After each segment of travel I will share my

experiences with colleagues, friends, family, neighbors, and whomever else

will listen in hopes that my efforts will help to eradicate ignorance about

different cultures, places and values.

This presentation can be viewed and downloaded at:

www.slideshare.net (Search Word: Dadaab Cultural Orientation)

The End Questions? Photo by: Amina

The End