Formerly Minnesota International Health Volunteers

Improving the health of women, children and their communities around the world.

TRAININGS
The Somali Child Spacing Program provides 1-hour in-person training presentations to organization and clinic staff. These trainings are provided free of charge. Topics include:

•    Somali Perspectives on Child Spacing: Learn about the health background and beliefs that influence reproductive health decision making in the Somali community. Participants will better understand community myths about child spacing (family planning) methods, cultural beliefs, the intersection with Islam, the impact of moving to the U.S., and counseling strategies to promote child spacing methods in a culturally-sensitive way.

•    Somali Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health: Find out about WellShare International’s research on traditional Somali belief systems about reproductive health and how Somali immigrant youth learn about sexuality and reproductive health. Strategies and recommendations for educating Somali youth on issues of sexuality and reproductive health are highlighted.

If you are interested in having a presentation at your Twin Cities location please contact Katie Amaya at kamaya@wellshareinternational.org or 612-230-3258.

WEBINARS
The Somali Child Spacing Program offered a series of 90 minute web-based trainings this past spring. Please see the descriptions of these webinars below.  If you are interested in attending a future webinar please click HERE.  These trainings are provided free of charge and are made possible with funding from the Minnesota Department of Health Family Planning Special Projects.

Past Webinar Learning Objectives

Somali Perspectives on Child Spacing (Family Planning)
 
1. Understand background health information about the Somali community

2. List 3 barriers and 3 solutions to barriers Somali patients face when seeking health care services
 
3. Describe 2 common myths/fears about family planning in the Somali community
 
4. List 2 culturally specific approaches to working with Somali communities on family planning programs

5. Identify provider materials and bilingual patient education materials.

Caring for Circumcised Women

1. Understand the history and practice of female genital cutting (FGC)

2. Understand the health impacts from FGC

3. Be able to provide appropriate child spacing (family planning) counseling to women who have experienced FGC

Sexuality & Reproductive Health among Somali adolescents

1. Describe how Somali youth learn about sexuality and reproductive health

2. List 3 Somali cultural norms and practices about discussing sexuality and reproductive health

3. Discuss 4 strategies to address the needs of Somali students when providing reproductive health education.