The plight of Somalis in Diaspora

[The_Patriot]

This is an area where folks shun to discuss.
You will see alot of somalis who had traveled far and wide ending up in the shores of Europe or United States or Australia and thinking they have reached the land of honey and milk.

But infact at times it turns out to be the opposite.

Some sold their properties in Somalia just to get a descent life abroad and they are the only form of investment back at home as they not only need to payback the loans they took to assist them to reach their final destination but they are supposed to remit back money to support their aging parents in Africa.

While some become successful. Some are left in limbo as they are not given any recognition and thus cannot get descent jobs to even support themselves as they are not given work permits etc.

You will see people spending decades being aliens cannot return home as there is nothing back home in Somalia. Even though we share the same plight with other foreigners.

Some of them suffering from mental illness and the worst thing is them being exploited by other somalis or looked down upon by their own somali people seeing them as lesser humans.

I have worked with organisations that assist qaxotis and it is really shocking to see some of these organisations just offer lip service and nothing more.

Share your stories.

[Beans]

Most Somalis are in the west because it offers them peace and stability,not for honey and milk.

[DisplacedDiraac]

Most Somalis are in the west because it offers them peace and stability,not for honey and milk.

That was the group who fled to the west in the late 80s and early-mid 90s..
A large percentage of the ones coming to the west now especially the ones from the more stable regions and the middle east are indeed looking for honey, milk and precious gems.

[The_Patriot]

Most Somalis are in the west because it offers them peace and stability,not for honey and milk.

Honey and milk is an Idiom and can be open to multiple interpretations.

[Beans]

Most Somalis are in the west because it offers them peace and stability,not for honey and milk.

That was the group who fled to the west in the late 80s and early-mid 90s..
A large percentage of the ones coming to the west now especially the ones from the more stable regions and the middle east are indeed looking for honey, milk and precious gems.

Life in Somali is very difficulty and in most of Africa and lack of peace doesnt help their plight.

I am sure most of us would rather be here,struggling than struggling there.

[The_Patriot]

I think you missed the point.

Its not about choosing the two.

Its about some of us who were not fortunate enough to be given status and had to live lifes that is unbearable.
I dont know in the states how things work out but here in Europe.
No status means nor right to work,study or even being given medical assistance.

[Alphanumeric]

Re-education is key. Whatever their previous experiences and level of education are, they need to be re-educated in order to get that foot in the door. I know of one who came here as an experienced MD who then did a masters, simply for the acknowledgement. He realized immediately that it was a necessity. This isn't just a Somali problem, but one that most immigrants face.

I don't see how any organization could fail at supporting an immigrant. Once proper documents are in order, finding work shouldn't be hard. Manual labour doesn't even require experience or much English. Informing them of the importance of domestic education and setting up a path through it for them is the next step. Why would that be difficult? Once those are handled, everything else should come easily. The most difficult task is probably placement for dignifying housing. But that's a task that goes beyond just one organization.

Understandably, Somalis are lacking in support for new immigrants. But it's been over 2 decades, and it's about time we get our stuff together.

I think you missed the point.

Its not about choosing the two.

Its about some of us who were not fortunate enough to be given status and had to live lifes that is unbearable.
I dont know in the states how things work out but here in Europe.
No status means nor right to work,study or even being given medical assistance.

What exactly does an immigrant support group provide, if it can't even provide a means of obtaining proper status?

[eliteSomali]

I really don't know where to begin. Somalis in the diaspora, or at least those whom I have had the unfortunate luck to have lived with have been nothing but bunch of useless good for nothing people. The so called Somali community usually consist of old, uneducated somali men whose motive for being there is to get a check at the end of every week. They do nothing to help the struggling families. They wake up in the morning and get in the community office and discuss 'reer hebel baa bari reer hebel wasay' and numerous other useless shyt. Their whole discourses are, mostly if NOT all the time, chained in one direction and that's the direction of qabiil. They don't offer any community guidance to the strving students, no help to the new arrivers, no help to anyone whatsoever. They're happy with getting a check of $300 every friday. The common people are also as useless as the community leaders. The best of business you'll see somalis establish are xawaalad and makhaayad which are both confined to the somalis. Kan ogu fiican baa laga yaabaa inuu meel tax return ah furto, and even that's only seasonal. In an area that's highly populated by somalis(70k or above) you'll seldom meet a doctor or an engineer. It feels like all that they've left for is to collect welfare from the DES and the best amongst us, to open a coffee shop.

[The_Patriot]

It depends theytry to assist where necessary but most of the time you are on your own if all other channels are exhausted.
Furthermore those organisations survive on pretending to offer assistance thats how they are given grants by the government and other donors.some of them can be heartless and racist.

[The_Patriot]

some folks are missing the point here.

I am concerned about a specific niche.
could we discuss this area?

Strange thing is if you visit Africa you will notice every somali wanting to come abroad. They dont put into consideration that its a gamble and has at times consequences.

[Beans]

I see ur point Pat.

.I am not really sure abt the rest of the world but here once people register as seeking refugee,they do get more help and benefits than most citizens dont get.

Isolation and lack of basic information search could be all it takes to ruin it all.It could be as small as withholding some information abt thmselves.

When the average Somali arrives,he will find where the most Somalis live.With little or no ambition,he/she begins her life there.

The dibada has been romanticised for them.

[The_Patriot]

I see ur point Pat.

.I am not really sure abt the rest of the world but here once people register as seeking refugee,they do get more help and benefits than most citizens dont get.

Isolation and lack of basic information search could be all it takes to ruin it all.It could be as small as withholding some information abt thmselves.

When the average Somali arrives,he will find where the most Somalis live.With little or no ambition,he/she begins her life there.

The dibada has been romanticised for them.

where do you reside?
US or EU?
and if EU which country to be specific.

I heard stories about somalis living in refugee camps in Holland for close to a decade till they get some form of status and have to every morning queue for their bread ration something that happens in refugee camps in Africa.

In France its very horrible so it Italy.

[Beans]

I see ur point Pat.

.I am not really sure abt the rest of the world but here once people register as seeking refugee,they do get more help and benefits than most citizens dont get.

Isolation and lack of basic information search could be all it takes to ruin it all.It could be as small as withholding some information abt thmselves.

When the average Somali arrives,he will find where the most Somalis live.With little or no ambition,he/she begins her life there.

The dibada has been romanticised for them.

where do you reside?
US or EU?
and if EU which country to be specific.

I heard stories about somalis living in refugee camps in Holland for close to a decade till they get some form of status and have to every morning queue for their bread ration something that happens in refugee camps in Africa.


In France its very horrible so it Italy.

Canada.

Beenta ayaa dadka Africa aada kabadatey who make it sound like they live like kings here.

[Alphanumeric]

It depends theytry to assist where necessary but most of the time you are on your own if all other channels are exhausted.
Furthermore those organisations survive on pretending to offer assistance thats how they are given grants by the government and other donors.some of them can be heartless and racist.

Are these Somali specific organizations?

When it comes to status, isn't it simply a "fill out a government application and wait" issue? I would assume whether or not statuses and permits are permitted depends on the government handling the application.

It sounds as if the problem lies within these so-called assistance organizations. What do they actually do? And how do they continuing receiving grants, if don't actually provide any help? Shouldn't their be feedback mechanisms determining if grants should be issued? But my guess is governments are too lazy to do that.


Pat,

It seems like governments in EU are the problem, rather than organizations that claim to provide services. Judging from your post, that is.

[The_Patriot]

So you mean Canada is an exception.