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Somali Women’s Wellness Project

How do you come together and share a resource?

Many Somali refugee women living in King County struggle with isolation, as well as physical and psychological pain. Most are separated from beloved family members. Many lived for years in refugee camps. All have experienced or witnessed the violence of war and the difficulties of learning a new language and new ways. They suffer disproportionately from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Nurses, doctors and Somali interpreters at Harborview identified massage as a culturally appropriate treatment that could have beneficial effects. In January 2009, Southeast Seattle Senior Center, the Cortiva Institute – Seattle, School of Massage Therapy, Harborview’s Community House Calls program and Somali women launched a cooperative effort to make massage available to Somali women. On most Sundays as many as twenty-five Somali women come to the SESSC to socialize, exercise, engage in health education discussions and receive massage. This free program has literally been running on a shoestring: no money has been paid out for services or facilities.
Since January, Cortiva students have provided more than 500 massages and taught the Somali women how to exchange hand massages. The women have shown enthusiasm for group exercise and discussions held with visiting Harborview providers. As one participant said, “Daryel is the place of finding a healthier you.”

How would your group use the award money?

We will use any funding to support and grow Daryel kaCafimaadka iyo jirdhisidda Howeenka Somaliyeed, The Somali Women’s Wellness Project.

Given $5000 we would hire a bilingual, bicultural Somali co-coordinator.

Given $500 we would launch and grow “Friends of Daryel”, a nascent group of women who want to support Daryel kaCafimaadka iyo jirdhisidda Howeenka Somaliyeed, with resources, connections and friendship.