Resources
Refugees
http://www.refugees.org
The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants works for the needs of refugees by advancing public policy and aiding in receipt of professional services. The USCRI helps refugees who are fleeing war find immediate safety and refugees who are searching for a permanent home, helps refugee children who may have been separate from their family, and works to resettle families into the US. Their website outlines their initiatives and resettlement programs, results from the Refugee World Surveys, and how to get involved.
https://www.unhcr.org/us/
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees works in Africa, Asia and the Pacifics, the Americas, Europe, Middle East and North Africa to help refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, asylum-seekers, children, elderly, people with disabilities, women, and returnees find safety and peace. Their roles range from advocacy to fundraising to protection to asylum and migration. The UNHCR website provides definitions of the various groups they serve and explanations for the work they do for those groups. They also offer links to resources including maps, statistics, current research, publications, archives and more.
Multilingual Resources
http://www.brycs.org
The Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Services website offers resources for Educators, Parents, Practitioners, Program Managers, Researchers, and Policy Makers regarding health education, literacy, multilingual pamphlets, program development, public policy and more.
https://www.healthinfotranslations.org/language/somali/719705/
This website offers quality translations of medical information in multiple languages.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/languages.html
Medline Plus offers translations of health information in over 45 languages.
Somalis
https://patienteducation.osumc.edu/Pages/search.aspx?k=somali
The Ohio State University Medical Center Interpreter Services office offers many patient education materials for Somalis.
This website also offers multilingual resources in other languages.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm
US Department of State Policy on Relations with Somalia.
Cultural Immersion Activities
http://www.unrefugees.org/
Each year the United Nations Refugee Agency celebrates World Refugee Day in order to keep the public aware of the refugees’ situation. Their website offers information about the national celebration as well as how to host a celebration in your city.
http://refugees.org/
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants offers information on ways to donate your time and expertise to help refugees and immigrants in the United States. Contact information for organizations in your community is available. At various centers you can volunteer to become a youth mentor or community liaison, teach computer skills and job training, or house a refugee while a permanent residence is found.
The Kite Runner
Read the novel (or watch the movie): by Khaled Hosseini (2003), Riverhead Books. The book was adapted into a film in 2007. The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir a young boy from the Kabul Afghanistan, who betrayed his best friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in the country
through the Soviet invasion, the rise of the Taliban, the mass exodus of refugees to the U.S. and life after resettlement.
Sickle Cell Disease
http://www.ascaa.org
The American Sickle Cell Anemia Association offers diagnostic testing, evaluation, counseling and supportive services to individuals and families at risk for Sickle Cell Disease. Their website allows discussion with other families, provides educational materials, supplies information about support groups and events in the United States, as well as listing current research studies and recent publications for public viewing.
National Library of Medicine
National Library of Medicine Genetics Medline Plus Home Reference answers the most frequently asked questions about sickle cell disease and provides numerous resources to find additional information.
http://www.sicklecelldisease.org
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America advocates for the quality of life and services for individuals affected by sickle cell disease. Their website offers information about the disease, sickle cell disease organizations in your area, educational opportunities, information about current research, and links to various resources.
