Portland Observer

August 12, 2009

Helping arrivals adjust to new culture 

Over 200 youth from African refugee and immigrant families living in the greater metro area congregated at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization for the 6th annual African Youth Leadership Conference.

The July 18 gathering was organized by a committee of 30 African youth chaired by Fatuma Mohamed, an 18-year-old from Somalia who graduated from Cleveland High School in June.

The committee members got leadership experience as they determined topics for workshops and keynote speakers, identified and invited speakers, developed the program and timeline, recruited attendees, ordered food and worked with the budget.

Often these youth feel caught in a tug-of-war between their parents and the culture they are trying to preserve from their home countries and their American peers and the American youth culture of their new home.  This can lead to identity confusion or even feelings of lost identity.

Additionally, when they are placed in school in the grades consistent with their age, but speaking no or little English, they struggle academically and sometimes see no benefit to staying in school.

This year's conference was designed to address those feelings and to encourage and inspire the youth to remain in school, stay out of trouble and look to a successful future that requires a good educational base.

The first keynote speaker was Hanae Said, a 21 year old Benson High SChool graduate who is now a junior at the University of Oregon.  She shared her own experiences but urged attendees to follow a 5 point pathway to success.

Her five points were focus on your education and good grades; balance classes with positive extracurricular activities; utilize available resources, such as IRCO programs, Upward Bound programs, and mentors; communicate with your parents, who have sacrificed much to give you a better life in America and really do have your best interests at heart, even though they may not understand much of the cultural clash you experience; and the importance of associating with the right people - people who have strong success goals and will share and support you in your success-oriented choices.

Yema Maesho was also a keynote speaker.  Now a lawyer with her own firm in Corvallis, Maesho came to this country from Ehtiopia just 16 years ago.  She urged the youth to believe in themselves and follow their dreams, no matter what anyone else thinks their limits are.  She offered encouragement by stating that they can contribute greatly not only to this country but also to their communities back home.

She encouraged the youth to explore their background and history and keep in touch with where they came from so that they can to be link between the past, the present and the future.

Lunchtime entertainment was provided by Somali Bantu Infiniti, a rap group of five young men who preform in the Somali Language of Mai.

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