As some have noticed, I've been pretty lazy with posting lately. We've been more busy, but still not really that busy overall. Its just an excuse!
I did start doing some new volunteer work with some Somalis in the area!! The group I volunteer with does ESL classes and driving lessons that are all covered by donations. They do men's and women's classes for new immigrants on alternating days. There are a decent number of Somalis, but they and the classes are basically on the complete opposite side of the city from me ;-(
That's really the only downside though.
At this point I am only volunteering one day a week because of the distance issue. I helped teach at the preschool during the women's classes, and translated for the Somali women afterward as they set up their driving appointments. Its also great because I get to have Layla with me the whole time. I am really excited about what this may lead to! New friendships, Somalis, helping people. All my favorite things in one place.
One of the main teachers is basically the Swahili-speaking version of me. She is white and American but grew up for a number of years in Kenya and speaks Swahili fluently. Most of the Somalis here are Bajuni, from the Southern coastal area, and so they speak Swahili. They speak Somali too, but the dialect I learned is the northern variety. We can understand each other, but they were telling Jeanette in Swahili that I speak "professional" Somali, as the dialect I speak is the one used in Radio, TV and newspapers for the most part ;-) Its actually the best one to know because everyone understands you and you understand almost everything the others say.
Now that I'm doing this, I am obsessed with Somali everything again at the moment. I am trying to read the BBC Somali news each day and also listen to radio broadcasts, etc just to keep myself learning. You can begin to forget things so quickly when you don't use them.
We're also planning Layla's 2nd Birthday party for Sunday, but I'll leave that for another post.
8 comments:
MashaAllah. Allah granted u with a good heart. Alhamdulillah :)
Masha'Allah! The weirdest thing happened, a Somali friend of mine was telling me yesterday about this amazing woman on YouTube who could speak perfect Somali, and then I thought of you and it turned out it WAS you!!! She was sooo impressed, and so was I even though I couldn't understand what you were saying :P
Masha'Allah!
May Allah reward you, mashaAllah I really admire you being able to speak Somali. I had to go to Youtube and check you out! Wow, how awesome are you? Also, you and Layla are both adorable!
Fun! I wish I was fluent in Kiswahili... I can get by, but that's about it. LOL I didn't meant too, but I've started teaching Kalila too. Thankfully my husband doesn't mind.
i think its beautifull that you are doing such work that focuses on helping others....you are definatly an angel to those people!
hope your daughter has a wonderful 2nd birthday!
@Nurul, thank you! You're sweet.
@cairo, lusaka, amsterdam, I know! I got a comment from your friend on another post. Its funny because I had someone else contact me through the blog after seeing the video.
@Mona, Amin, InshaAllah. I feel like I've already been rewarded just by being a part of their community in this life.
@Mama Kalila, You can still do it! I remember when I first knew enough Somali to get by. It was such a great feeling because I knew when they were talking about me and could say something witty in reply.
@angie nader, Thank you so much! I'm loving just having the time and ability to volunteer and not having to work right now.
Wow, impressive! How did you learn Somali? It's cute that those women told the other lady that you speak "professional" Somali. :-) Your works sounds exciting and fulfilling.
Happy birthday to your sweet little girl!
@Susanne, I just learned it working at a car rental place with a lot of Somalis. I have learned other languages, but I just don't like any of them quite as much for some reason ;)
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