SIOUX FALLS,SD – A growing ethnic community in Sioux Falls is finally receiving one-on-one help with translation and other needs.

A handful of leaders in the Somali-Bantu Community opened an office in the Multi-Cultural Center in 2005, but left when they needed more space. Now they’re in a larger location, and it’s allowing them to help more than 600 people.

Abdullahi Sidow is helping translate mail and report cards for a father of five. He’s one of five translators who volunteers, but also runs the Somali-Bantu Community Development Council of South Dakota.

Sidow says many refugees didn’t get to learn English before coming to the United States. So many in Sioux Falls rely on the translators.

“When the school district sends the report card of their children, there was no way that they could read. They got it. They threw it in the garbage because they didn’t know what the report cards were,” Sidow said.

Volunteers also help drive families to several local services and doctor’s appointments. And it’s all done with funding from the people they help.

“Every month, we have community contribution, so every family pays $20 dollars. Then we collect all that money. When we get enough money to pay the rent, then we pay the rent,” Sidow said.

The Development Council is also applying for grants to expand. The next step is starting a literacy program where volunteers will teach English.

Sidow knows first hand how important that is.

“It was very, very difficult for me to learn English, but I pushed myself, because I knew that I needed to learn English in order to help my family,” Sidow said.

He’s since earned his high school diploma and is now taking courses at Kilian Community College. At the age of 22, he’s becoming a leader in the community.

“She’s saying that the community is helping her a lot because before this office was open or started, she did not have someone who could help her,” Sidow said as he translated for a Somali-Bantu woman.

Help that’s making a difference for dozens of families in KELOLAND. Organizers hope to start teaching English as soon as possible. They think they have room for 10 people in each class.

They’re applying for a grant that would help pay for teaching items and books but would like to save up enough money for a van, so they can provide transportation for families to and from the classes.

The Somali-Bantu Community Development Council is located at 201 N. Minnesota Ave Suite 105 in Sioux Falls. The office number is (605) 271-6118.

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