Welcome To Our Homepage

On October 10th 2004 our elders and intellectuals conducted a meeting to start an association for the Somali Bantu in San Antonio Texas. Dr. Omar Abdulkadir Eno Director of Somali Bantu projects and Daniel J. Vanlahman Deputy director of Somali Bantu projects came to us on February 1st 2005 and encouraged us to open an office for the Somali Bantu Association of San Antonio. We started preparations for opening the Somali Bantu Association office in San Antonio from February 1st to July 13th. We were proud to announce the opening the Somali Bantu Association office in San Antonio on Wednesday March 23rd, with the generous assistance of the Catholic Charities in providing us with temporary office space. We hosted a grand opening celebration to encourage the launch of the Somali Bantu Association of San Antonio, in this ceremony were many attendees such as officers from Catholic Charities and other agencies. In the ceremony the President of the association gave a speech concerning the history of the Somali Bantu, and their plans to promote self-sufficiency within the community, which the participants received with high spirits. We hope that the steps that we have taken will encourage other refugees to develop offices, especially the Somali Bantu’s that have been resettled in other parts of the United States of America.

Our Mission

The mission of the Somali Bantu Association of San Antonio is to facilitate the resettlement of the Somali Bantu Community in the United States, especially in San Antonio, Texas by providing programs for education, culture, and economic opportunity in order to promote self-sufficiency within the community. This mission will be accomplished through the following activities:

English Classes/Interpretation and Translation Services

English language skills form the basis of all activities leading to self-sufficiency. Translation and Interpretation services will be provided in 2 Somali Languages, Kizigua and Mai Mai. Approximately 20% of services will fall in this category.

Vocational Training/Employment Services

Assistance with registration in vocational training (computer literacy and other courses) or employment training and placement services are also crucial to developing self-sufficiency. Approximately 20% of services provided will fall into this category.

Housing Assistance

The organization will assist clients with securing appropriate housing working with local housing providers and government housing program agencies. Approximately 20% of services provided will fall into this category.

Consumer Advocacy

Newly arrived refugees and immigrants are vulnerable to unfair business practices, and often need assistance in understanding their rights with regard to housing, utilities, the legal system, medical care system, etc. Approximately 20% of services provided will fall into this category.

Supportive Services

Services in this category would include enabling services that help clients move towards self-sufficiency. They might include transportation assistance, assistance with child care or parenting classes, or other services. Approximately 20% of services provided will fall into this category.