AUBURN – Organizers of a local nutrition program hope a $10,000 grant will help close cultural gaps with Somali women.
The Women, Infants and Children nutrition program of Auburn has received a $10,000 grant from the March of Dimes. That money will be used to hire and train a Somali-speaking person to teach Somali women about preventive health care for themselves and their families, according to Ginny Andrews, site supervisor.
The WIC program teaches about nutrition, breast-feeding and health and provides supplemental food for low-income women and children. Nutritionists use a translator now when they meet with Somalis.
“We hope this person can understand both sides,” Andrews said. “It’s not just translating the words but understanding some of the cultural issues a little better. For example, there are child-rearing, discipline issues and dietary concerns we might not know.”
The program will focus on the importance of prenatal care and teaching about the American health-care system.
“We hope this person could work closer with doctors offices as well, and help create a better connection for Somalis there as well,” Andrews said.
The Auburn office of the program works in Androscoggin County and parts of Franklin County.
Andrews said the grant will pay to hire and train the new counselor for one year, working three days per week.
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