Community Power 2012

Trainings in 3 different locations

North West Hennepin - - Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park.

- MAWA Office Building Conference Room

St Paul - Masjid Al Ihsan Mosque

Peer Educators:15 AGILE participants

15 African women including 10 West African Female Community Leaders

Over 30 Somali women and girls joined the peer educator training in St. Paul

Trainings Facilitated by:Hennepin County staff and MAWA staff persons – Anita Selin; LaBelle, Melissa Nambangi

Julia Earl, formerly of Preventing Harm MN

Ramsey County Staff person,.

Volunteers assisting training sessions:

Hani Hussein2 volunteersMAWA board members

Participants’ Responses: Loved It!

-Enjoyed the visual, power point and hands-on examples like how to read labels on cartons.

-Learning how to recycle and reuse materials and products.

-Surprised by the simplicity of composting: how left-overs and vegetable peels can be used as fertilizers in their yard.-Buying in bulk: economical and good for the environment.

- Paper versus plastic.

- Home-made house hold cleaners using vinegar and baking soda. This was a huge and fun for the girls

Goal:Reach 2,700 Africans from both locations.We have trained over 45 girls & women as peer educators

Have each reached 20 & more peers = 600; Also in apartment buildings, schools, senior community center, church; mosque

Actions:- Mosque and recycling bins- Mothers getting rid of toys; making own household cleaners

Newspaper ads and articles – Mshale an African news Journal with thousand of African readers - ; MINCAM – over 1,000 members; VOICES Magazine - ; Somali radio program.

St Kate’s student volunteer – presentation to girls and seniors on toxic harmful products and how to protect your home from poisons found in the products.

Peer education continues in the African community