The Somali Bilingual Book Project

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) generously donated copies of the book “Travels of Igal Shidad” to Minnesota Hands & Voices for an event hosted for families with children who are deaf or are hard of hearing (DHH).

“Travels of Igal Shidad” is one of four traditional Somali folktales in MHC’s Somali Bilingual Book Project – printed in both English and Somali – helping to preserve heritage language and literacy skills.

MNH&V is a program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota that supports families with children who are DHH, without a bias around communication modes or methodology. MNH&V provides families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts all focus on enabling children to reach their highest potential.

MNH&V team members themselves are parents of children who are DHH and together, we share the same emotions, decisions, and questions as the families we serve across the state. On our team is Nura Hersi who is the NE African Parent Guide working with families in her community. She understands the difficulty in raising a child with a hearing difference as she has a 7-year-old son.

Nura says, “In my community, it is exceedingly difficult to raise a child with identified needs. I knew people would ask me what happened to him, but I decided not to care about the questions or what they said about my son. I make sure he gets all the services he needs, move forward to make sure he improves his development and know he is a perfect boy.”

Nura hosted the MNH&V “Travels with Igal Shidad” event earlier this year, bringing a unique opportunity for families to connect while listening to this story read in Somali, English, and American Sign Language. Families each received a copy of the book, donated by MHC, as well as an activity kit to make this an interactive online event, helping families connect with each other and DHH Guide Kelsey Ross.

The DHH Guides are DHH adults with a wide range of experiences related to their individual hearing levels and they all use different modes of communication and may or may not use technology. The guides help the family/student identify practical solutions for navigating some of the common challenges that Deaf/Hard of Hearing children may experience, such as technology, accommodations, accessibility, or resources that have worked for the DHH Guide themselves. The DHH Guides are available at all MNH&V events to connect with families as well!

For more information on MN Hands & Voices visit Deaf and hard of hearing | Minnesota Hands and Voices

To learn more about events contact Event Coordinator Leslie Carnegie-Hilde at Leslie.carnegie-hilde@lssmn.org or by calling 218.902.0148

Family Comment: “Thank you for also reading the book in Somali – that was a great experience to participate in.”