If you are traveling overseas, make sure that you and your children are up-to-date on your measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (called MMR). Children as young as 6 months old should receive the MMR vaccine.
If you are traveling overseas, make sure that you and your children are up-to-date on your measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (called MMR). Children as young as 6 months old should receive the MMR vaccine. If you are traveling overseas, make sure that you and your children are up-to-date on your measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (called MMR). Children as young as 6 months old should receive the MMR vaccine.
Measles kills 400 children in the world every day. It is very contagious and travels easily from one continent to another. But, there is something you can do to protect you and your family – get vaccinated.
If you are traveling overseas, make sure that you and your children are up-to-date on your measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (called MMR). Children as young as 6 months old should receive the MMR vaccine.
It can be easy to think that measles won’t affect you and your family, but one Minnesota mother found out how dangerous it can be while traveling. Before traveling, the doctor recommended that her son get his MMR vaccine earlier than usual because they were traveling to visit family in Kenya. She wanted her son to get the vaccine, but he was finally sleeping. She decided it could wait until they came back. They were just going to visit family which didn’t seem like a big risk.
The day they returned home, her son developed cold symptoms – a cough, runny nose, and watery, red eyes. Then he got a fever and became very tired. She took him to the doctor, and they said it was a virus and to watch him closely. The cough got worse and the fever got higher so she took him to the doctor again. This time they put him in the hospital because he had pneumonia. The doctors did more tests and put him in a private room – he had measles.
It was hard for her child to breathe so they put him on a breathing machine. There were tubes in his mouth, nose, and arms. She felt helpless. The doctors warned that her son might die. For three weeks she watched a machine breath for her son.
The little boy survived, but his mother will never forget his suffering. The disease also spread to other people on the airplane and among family members that were not vaccinated. She tells anyone traveling overseas, “Be sure to get all the vaccines you or your family needs.”
To keep your travels healthy, talk to your clinic or doctor about your trip, the shots you need and ways to stay healthy while traveling.
Representative Ilhan Omar is joined by Minneapolis Councilman Abdi Warsame and Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey at a rally Omar organized on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump's executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale
Representative Ilhan Omar is joined by Minneapolis Councilman Abdi Warsame and Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey at a rally Omar organized on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump's executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleRepresentative Ilhan Omar is joined by Minneapolis Councilman Abdi Warsame and Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey at a rally Omar organized on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleHundreds joined in a rally in Minneapolis called by Representative Ilhan Omar of District 60B on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleHundreds joined in a rally in Minneapolis called by Representative Ilhan Omar of District 60B on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleHundreds joined in a rally in Minneapolis called by Representative Ilhan Omar of District 60B on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleA woman with a “Nasty Woman” tee-shirt joined other protesters at a rally in Minneapolis called by Representative Ilhan Omar of District 60B on Sunday, January 29 2017 to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration and refugees from majority Muslim countries. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale
Less than a week into his presidency Donald Trump has signed a whirlwind of executive actions, the latest of which is a ban that targets Muslim majority countries in the Middle East and Africa. The executive action was signed and implemented on Friday January 27 on Holocaust Remembrance Day. The order bars individuals coming from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the US for a period of 90 days. The countries listed are Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia. It also suspended the refugees from entering for a period of 120 days. President Trump stated the need for “extreme vetting” as the stated goal of the executive action saying that it will help “keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the US”.
Following the order dozens of individuals are being held in U.S. airports and passengers on flights to the United States are being rerouted back to their place of departure. The measure has already invited a series of protests inside airports around the United States.
In Minnesota, State Representative Ilhan Omar of District 60B in Minneapolis called a community meeting to discuss the executive action, which as soon as it was signed was affecting of Somali-Americans and members of the Muslim community. The purpose of the meeting was to inform, educate, share resources, and fundraise. On Sunday January 29th community members, elected and city officials, leaders of Jewish and Christian faith groups, as well as individuals directly affected by the executive order rallied together at Brian Coyle community center in Minneapolis. This gathering was to show support for those affected and have their voices heard.
The rally began with prayer from a local Imam who asked for “unity of hearts” before representative Omar delivered her opening remarks. “Here in the United States diversity is welcome, we do not and will not further the politics of division” said Omar. As an elected official Ilhan Omar has some privilege but she expressed her own concerns for not wanting to leave the country for a speaking engagement in Turkey that will occur in a few days. After already dealing with profiling and extra scrutiny Omar said she is not sure if leaving the country is worth the risk of possibly not being able to return immediately after her engagement. To strengthen resistance against the ban, Omar urged the community to show up and support the cause.
Mohamud Noor, executive director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) stated that starting on Monday January 30 there would be a crisis desk at the CSCM office. Attorneys will be available to help individuals who are currently affected by the ban as well as counseling resources. Regarding Trump’s executive order, Noor said, “this is not who we are this is not how American’s are. This is the land of immigrants”.
Minnesota is home to the country’s largest Somali community, majority of them Muslims. Those at the rally considered the ban a personal attack to their cultural and religious identities that will serve to isolate and alienate individuals from the countries.
Islamophobia, which was already on the rise leading to the election that ushered Donald Trump into office, is expected to increase following the president’s executive order.
As of the posting of this story, Democratic lawmakers have been vocal in their denunciation of the order and only three prominent Republicans that have joined in that denunciation. The three are US Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain and former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Popular hashtags where people are showing their support and making donations to help those affected include #NoBanNoWall and #BlackMuslimsResists across social media platforms.
President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order banning immigration from Somalia and Sudan for 30 days. Photo: Courtesy White House
President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order banning immigration from Somalia and Sudan for 30 days. Photo: Courtesy White HousePresident Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order banning immigration from Somalia and Sudan for 30 days. Photo: Courtesy White House
President Donald Trump is expected to sign a new executive order today (January 26) suspending immigration from Somalia and Sudan for 30 days according to the New York Times which said yesterday that it has obtained an eight-page draft of the executive order. The order will also block indefinitely Syrian refugees from entering the United States. The order will also bar refugees from the rest of the world for 120 days.
Other countries affected by the 30 day immigration ban other than the two African countries include Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen.
The common thread among them is that they are all predominantly Muslim countries which critics are assailing as the much criticized ‘Muslim ban’ that the president talked about during the campaign.
In an interview that aired last night on ABC, the president said that tough measures he outlined in a separate immigration related executive order was meant to make it harder for those seeking refuge in the United States.
“It’s going to be very hard to come in,” Mr. Trump said. “Right now, it’s very easy to come in.”
Kenya's renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, poses with buyers of his
autobiography during the US launch in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/Mshale
Kenya's renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, poses with buyers of his
autobiography during the US launch in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/MshaleKenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, signs a copy of his autobiography during the US launch in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/MshaleKenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, speaking during the US launch of his autobiography in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/MshaleKenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, poses with buyers of his autobiography during the US launch in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/MshaleKenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, speaking as he waded in the audience during the US launch of his autobiography in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/MshaleKenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, had a captive audience at the US launch of his autobiography in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Photo: Richard Ooga/Mshale
Kenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, told a friendly and diverse group of Kenyans in Minnesota a sobering reality they might not have fully considered. The country, he said, was on course to move from leadership based on tribal kingpins to one ruled by criminal leaders and cartels.
For evidence, he offered Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and Nairobi senator Mike Sonko as perfect examples. He said the transition will happen as soon as this year’s national elections due to be held in August.
Mombasa governor Joho, who is also the main opposition party’s deputy leader has not been able to overcome the portrait of one involved in the narcotics trade dating back to 2010 when a report was tabled in parliament by the country’s security minister implicating him and five other members of parliament. Joho was at the time a member of parliament. He was ultimately cleared but the image has stuck, as it has for Nairobi senator Mike Sonko.
Mwangi, a persistent critic of his country’s leaders for their corruption and ineffectual leadership, was in Minneapolis on Sunday for the US launch of his autobiography, Unbounded. The autobiography was launched officially in Nairobi last November.
“I believe this is the last time we are having elections based on tribe,” he said.
He also offered for evidence former presidential candidate Peter Kenneth who many Kenyans had banked on to transcend tribe, as an example of the challenge the country faces in finding leaders who can truly overcome the tribal considerations that are common in the country’s politics.
“There is now talk that Peter Kenneth is looking to take over the mantle from Uhuru Kenyatta as the Kikuyu leader after 2022,” Mwangi said. The Kikuyu are the largest tribe in Kenya and the community the current president of Kenya (Kenyatta) hails. 2022 refers to when Kenyatta leaves office if he is able to win a second term in this year’s August elections.
The photojournalist who counts Malcolm X and Thomas Sankara as role models for inspiration said Kenyans as an electorate have mental blocks that are preventing them from holding their leaders accountable.
“Until Kenyans decide that they will not continue to compensate their leaders at first world levels but receiving third world services in return, this will continue,” Mwangi said. Kenyan legislators are among the world’s highest paid politicians surpassing even some developed countries.
Personal Safety
Mwangi is currently involved in a defamation lawsuit filed against him by the country’s deputy president, William Ruto. Ruto sued following a tweet Mwangi sent out on September 28 accusing him of corruption, murder and land grabbing.
Those attending the launch and signing on Sunday expressed fears for his safety, given the country’s history of assassinations of the system’s prominent critics.
“Is your family safe,” one attendant asked.
He declined to offer the whereabouts of his family as “some of you are NIS (National Intelligence Services),” eliciting nervous laughter. There is widespread belief among the US Kenyan diaspora that Kenya’s NIS has agents living within them especially in areas with many Kenyans like Boston, Minnesota, Texas, DC area and New Jersey. Many Kenyans in these areas believe the practice of planting NIS agents within the diaspora started with the authoritarian regime of Daniel Arap Moi when diaspora political activism was at its peak. Lupita Nyong’o was born in Mexico because his father, a political activist at the time, fled for his safety from Moi.
Mwangi assured the gathering that he has taken measures for his safety which includes not staying out late. Those gathered still seemed unconvinced so one lady asked him if he was practicing “self care”, by attending to his mental and health wellbeing as he goes about his activism.
“You rest and you die,” he answered to put to rest questions about his safety.
Tribalism in the Diaspora
If Mwangi was in top form in spelling out the ills of Kenya’s ruling elite, he did not spare the diaspora either. He told them to their face on Sunday to stop “ujinga wa ukabila (the stupidity of tribalism)” saying it was holding back the diaspora in making it a powerful force in bringing about change in Kenya. Diaspora Kenyans in the US are known to organize along tribal lines, which has stymied efforts to deal even with local immigrant specific issues that affect all of them.
He shared how during his current visit members of his Kikuyu tribe in the United States have been accosting him and excoriating him on being hard on the president.
“I have had opportunities to sell out but I have no price,” he said in response to whether like Peter Kenneth he will also eventually go back to his tribal cocoon.
Parliament
Mwangi is also a candidate for parliament in the cosmopolitan Starehe constituency in Nairobi. Asked why he is confining himself to running for “just a parliamentary seat” and not the presidency, he said he needs to get the people’s trust first by vying for smaller office.
He urged those present to make an impact where they find themselves and not wait until they are in high office. He described those as some of the values his grandmother who he described as an inspiration taught him.
On the upcoming August elections, Mwangi revealed he plans to not vote for president if there is no third party candidate “I will vote for all the other offices on the ballot but skip the presidency” if only Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta are the two choices.
His autobiography, which is a collection of his personal story and a showcase of some his award-winning work over the years, is available on Amazon.
Somi listens intently during a Q & A as Abdullah Kiatamba of African Immigrant Services speaks during a ceremony to welcome her to Minnesota organized by Mshale and the Ordway on Monday, January 23 2017. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/Mshale
Somi listens intently during a Q & A as Abdullah Kiatamba of African Immigrant Services speaks during a ceremony to welcome her to Minnesota organized by Mshale and the Ordway on Monday, January 23 2017. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/MshaleSomi listens intently during a Q & A as Abdullah Kiatamba of African Immigrant Services speaks during a ceremony to welcome her to Minnesota organized by Mshale and the Ordway on Monday, January 23 2017. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/MshaleSomi performed two songs during a ceremony to welcome her to Minnesota organized by Mshale and the Ordway on Monday, January 23 2017. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/MshaleSomi participated in a Q & A during a ceremony to welcome her to Minnesota organized by Mshale and the Ordway on Monday, January 23 2017. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/Mshale
Jazz vocalist and songwriter, Somi, paid homage to the many places and people she draws inspiration from during a welcome gathering in her honor at the Brooklyn Park community center hosted by Mshale and the Ordway.
She shared her insights on the intersection of anthropology and music, the great influence of musicians like Dianne Reeves, Sarah Vaughan, and Nina Simone on her music, and how the improvisational spirit of jazz has allowed her to be all that she is and share the stories of the African diaspora. She was born in Illinois to parents from Uganda and Rwanda.
She is in the Twin Cities for a weeklong residency at the Ordway which culminates in a Friday evening concert on January 27 at 7:30pm.
At the welcoming ceremony, emceed by Abdullah Kiatamba of African Immigrant Services, she performed two of her songs, “Two Dollar Day,” and “Ingele.”
During a question and answer session, she shared her insights on the intersection of anthropology and music, the great influence of musicians like Dianne Reeves, Sarah Vaughan, and Nina Simone on her music, and how the improvisational spirit of jazz has allowed her to be all that she is and share the stories of the African diaspora.
A one hour panel discussion will precede the concert to explore the intersection of art, activism, and culture in a discussion moderated by Intermedia Arts’ Executive Director Eyenga Bokamba. The panel will feature former Mshale Editor Julia Nekessa Opoti, Eleanor Savage and Ifrah Mansour.
Tickets for Friday’s 7:30pm concert are available at Ordway.org.
Kenya's renowned photojournalist and human rights activist will be in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017 to launch his autobiography. Photo: Courtesy of Boniface Mwangi
Kenya's renowned photojournalist and human rights activist will be in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017 to launch his autobiography. Photo: Courtesy of Boniface Mwangi
Kenya’s renowned photojournalist and human rights activist will be in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22, 2017 to launch his autobiography. Photo: Courtesy of Boniface Mwangi
World renowned Kenyan photojournalist, author and human rights activist Boniface Mwangi who is on a US tour will have a book signing ceremony in Minneapolis on Sunday, January 22 at 3:00pm to launch his autobiography, Unbounded.
The award winning photojournalist is also an aspiring legislator for the Kenyan parliament having declared his intention to vie for Starehe constituency in the capital city of Nairobi.
The deputy president of Kenya sued him for defamation last october following a tweet Mwangi sent out on September 28 accusing the country’s deputy leader of corruption, murder and land grabbing. You can read the tweet here.
The autobiography was launched officially in Nairobi last November and the Minneapolis event is part of activities around the United States to promote it and his parliamentary aspirations.
He is the winner of numerous global press awards and was a TED Fellow in 2010.
In reviewing Unbounded, the Nation, a leading newspaper in Kenya said “Mr Mwangi presents himself as a boy so radical that both his grandmother and mother gave up on him at some point in his life.”
Mshale Photojournalist Richard Ooga who has known him from his days in Kenya and considers him a friend said people should come out and meet his good friend as “he is a very inspiring speaker.”
You can view his TED Talk below.The Amazon link for the autobiography is here.
Boniface Mwangi Book Launch & Signing
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2017 @ 3:00 P.M. (Doors open at 2:00 P.M.) Venue: 27 Event Center, 2709 East lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406 (entrance is on the 27th Ave side of the building) Food: Kenyan food will be available for purchase including Kenyan tea, nyama choma and sausages.
Students during a mile-long march from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 16, 2017. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale
Students during a mile-long march from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 16, 2017. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleStudents during a mile-long march from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 16, 2017. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleMinnesota’s Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness performed at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 16, 2017. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleTarget executive and Kenyan native, Caroline Wanga, was the keynote speaker at the state celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday held at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, January 16, 2017. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleKSTP anchor and reporter, Brandi Powell and Chief Inclusion Officer, State of Minnesota, James Burroughs were the hosts of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebration held at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, January 16, 2017. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale
Minnesota students and legislators held a mile-long demonstration from the State Capitol to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to mark the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
As the face of the civil rights movement, Dr. King advocated for nonviolence in the fight for justice and equality for all Americans. His most famous speech “I have a dream” can be heard echoing to this day as the march towards justice, which began centuries before the civil rights movement continues to this day.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar delivered the opening speech, focusing on the legacy that Dr. King left behind. “Few people have left a positive impact on this country as Dr. King ” said Klobuchar. The senator urged individuals to keep taking action in the community to fight for educational and healthcare equality.
St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman who has announced his intentions to run for governor in 2018 said recent events in the country reveal “the depth of oppression and racism in this country that has scared it from the beginning”. He urged the public to march and take action for social change to continue the march for justice.
The state celebration of the MLK holiday which is put together by the Governor’s Council on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday since 1986 also honored individuals for their service to the community. Jaylani Hussein of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), and Luis Moreno, VP of marketing for Synchrony Financial were recipients of the Governor’s Distinguished Service awards. Benjamin Mchie who is the Executive Director of the African American Registry was the recipient of the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout the program three time Grammy award winning group Sounds of Blackness performed some of their renowned songs.
Keynote speaker and Kenyan native, Caroline Wanga, delivered closing remarks for the ceremony. Wanga the VP of diversity and inclusion at Target Corporation encouraged individuals to take active change in their communities by providing a simple formula. “The elevator to justice is malfunctioning and we have to take the stairs,” said Wanga as she spoke of the difficulties that individuals have when taking action to initiate change.
Wanga’s personal activism formula begins with self-authentication and awareness of the need for change in a particular area. She then urged individuals to talk about the problem with potential allies whom she refers to as systemic participants, as they take full action to promote change. Finally Ms. Wanga urges individuals to be humble and self compassionate. It is important for individuals to have humility in their course of action and movements should be led out of genuine concern to be fully effective and influential.
Target executive Caroline Wanga, a citizen of Kenya, will be the keynote speaker at the official State of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2016 in St. Paul. Photo: Courtesy of Target Corporation
Target executive Caroline Wanga, a citizen of Kenya, will be the keynote speaker at the official State of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2016 in St. Paul. Photo: Courtesy of Target Corporation
Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Target Corporation will keynote this year’s Martin Luther King celebration at the Ordway Center for the performing Arts in St. Paul on Monday, January 16. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is observed on the third Monday of January, is a federal holiday to celebrate the birthday of the civil rights leader and is designated as a “Day of Service” around the country.
In Minnesota, the official state celebration is presented by the Governor’s Council on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday since 1986 as a statewide event. The celebration at the Ordway will also feature remarks by Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
A Kenyan citizen, Wanga has served in youth development positions as a non-profit professional prior to her executive position at Target. This year’s theme for the celebration is “The time is always right to do what is right.”
The event at the Ordway which starts at 10:00am will be preceded by a mile-long youth rally and march which will begin at the Minnesota State Capitol at 9:30am. Assembling for the march to the Ordway begins at 9:00am.
“We must continue the work that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began over 60 years ago. It begins with a reaffirmation of our commitment to equal rights, opportunities, and justice for all,” said Governor Mark Dayton in his statement.
The governor urged all Minnesotans to join together on January 16 to “honor past civil rights leaders and renew our commitment to a better future.”
Brandi Powell, KSTP-TV Anchor will be the host and Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble, Sounds of Blackness will present a musical tribute in honor of Dr. King.
Other event highlights according to the governor’s office will include performances by high school students, diverse groups from around the state, and the presentation of colors by the Minnesota National Guard. There will be live American Sign Language Interpretation.
The event is free and open to the public.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration in Minnesota Monday,January 16, 2017
9:00am – Youth Rally and March @ Minnesota State Capitol (Address: 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155 9:15am – Assemble for March Re-Enactment 9:30am – March begins from Minnesota State Capitol 10:00am – Celebration Program – Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (Address: 345 Washington St, St Paul, MN 55102) 12:00pm – Event ends
Seth Eggessa, Uganda-American Rotarian in the Twin Cities died on Friday, January 6, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Eggessa Family
Seth Eggessa, Uganda-American Rotarian in the Twin Cities died on Friday, January 6, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Eggessa FamilySeth Eggessa, Uganda-American Rotarian in the Twin Cities died on Friday, January 6, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Eggessa FamilySeth Eggessa, Ugandan-American Rotarian in the Twin Cities at the ground breaking of a building to house a library sponsored by the Rotary Club of Roseville. He died on Friday, January 6, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Rotary Club of RosevilleSeth Eggessa (right), Ugandan-American Rotarian in the Twin Cities poses with Ambassador Oliver Wonekha (middle) of Uganda and Books for Africa founder Tom Warth at the Uganda embassy in Washington, DC on April 2016 when the ambassador hosted a reception in honor of Books for Africa supporters. Mr. Eggessa died on Friday, January 6, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Books for Africa.
Seth Eggessa, whose wide smile and infectious laugh was a fixture at Twin Cities community and charitable events and who was very articulate in explaining the challenges Africa faced to prospective donors and supporters, died on Friday, January 6. He was 67.
His death was confirmed by Paul Musherure, a Twin Cities dentist and fellow Ugandan. The cause was abdominal cancer.
After a brief banking career in Uganda, he arrived in Minnesota in 1977 to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth where he graduated with a BA in Business Administration. After graduation, he pursued a career in the financial services industry where he found success.
The financial services sector with its emphasis on having one’s affairs in order before you die certainly had an impact on the late Eggessa.
For many years he worked for Ameriprise Financial, the successor to American Express Financial Advisors which was a subsidiary of American Express Company. He would exhort fellow community members to set up retirement plans for themselves and college funds for their children.
“We have not had to do any fundraising within the community to give him a proper send-off,” his friend of 17 years Dr.Musherure told Mshale. Musherure said the late Eggessa had set up his affairs in order with proper instructions on how to access his funds and accounts to ensure a proper burial. “He certainly lived what he preached.” He never wished to be a burden to anyone especially after death.
Despite his many years in America he never forgot the people he left behind in his native Uganda. He would lead what he used to call book missions there as he sought to improve literacy among the youth. He was a longtime board member at Books for Africa, the largest shipper of donated school textbooks to the African continent.
In 2010 in a feature in a St. Paul suburban newspaper Lillie News, after a successful delivery of a container of 22,000 textbooks from Books for Africa to Uganda that he helped organized through a grant from the Roseville Rotary Club, he said “(I am) just a servant with a passion based on the immense poverty that still exists in Uganda”
He would make numerous such trips to Uganda to supervise the delivery and distribution of books.
By the time of his passing he was instrumental in the shipping of well over 70,000 textbooks to the Tororo region of Uganda where he hailed from and to the capital city Kampala through a project with the United States Peace Corps.
He was an active Rotarian and a member of the Roseville Rotary Club, according to Bradley Kirscher, president of the Roseville Rotary Club.
“When I joined the club back in 2010, he was the membership director,” Kirscher said underscoring the importance Eggessa attached to the sustenance of the club by recruiting new members. During his time as the membership director, he became very active in Rotaract, the Rotary-sponsored service club for young professionals and an important pipeline for future Rotarians.
Together with the club, they built a multi-use building in Tororo that housed both a clinic and library.
Another Rotarian, Dave Schafer of the Rotary Club of Woodbury worked closely with Eggessa when his Woodbury Rotary Club joined forces with the Roseville Rotarians to sponsor the Tororo project through the Rotary Global Grant. With electricity a challenge in most of Africa, Seth was innovative with a plan to install solar lighting.
“Seth was good about asking for contributions,” said Schafer.
A kidney transplant in the early 2000s gave him a renewed appreciation for life and spurred him to live life to the fullest. He went on to marry the woman that gave him the kidney. The marriage did not last and he never remarried but in conversations he would describe in affectionate terms the “woman that gave me some more years.”
Rosemond Owens, the jocular former president of the board at Books for Africa from Ghana would normally rib him on how she was going to find him a wife. On receiving news of his death, she deadpanned in an email that “I thought this will be the year(in finding him a wife).”
The beneficiaries of that energy after the kidney transplant were the children of Uganda through his involvement with Books for Africa and the Rotary Club of Roseville. Tom Warth, founder of Books for Africa described him as an indefatigable worker for his community and that “nothing slowed him.” Mr. Warth got the inspiration to start Books for Africa in 1988 during a visit to Uganda.
He had one estranged son from a previous marriage. He would dot over the many nephews and nieces he had, proudly sharing their accomplishments with friends like a proud father would. He is survived by his four sisters Lydia A. Jones, Faith J. Tumwebaze and her husband James, Judith N. Ojambo, Mary Rager and her husband Jimmy. Seth is also survived by his brother Clement O. Ojambo and Clement’s wife Margaret as well as many nieces and nephews.
Patrick Plonski, the current executive director at Books for Africa described him as a valued and dedicated member of the Books for Africa family that everyone liked.
“His dedication to education in Africa and especially his home country of Uganda was inspirational to us all. He will be sorely missed,” Plonski said.
Books for Africa, where the late Eggessa was a board member for five years, has established the Seth Eggessa Memorial Libraries project in honor of his service to the organization and children of Uganda. You can read more about it in the organization’s Uganda project page here.
Details for a memorial service are below.
Memorial Service
Seth Eggessa Memorial Service Date: Saturday, January 14, 2017 Location: North Heights Lutheran Church
2701 Rice Street, Roseville, MN 55113 Time: Visitation @ 10:00am Memorial Service @ 11:00am
Note: The author served with the late Seth Eggessa on the board of Books for Africa and parts of this obituary are based on details shared between the two.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated Mr. Eggessa’s age as 67. Mshale has since learnt that he was 65. The story has also been corrected to state that indeed the deceased had a son and was not childless as previously stated in the story.
Student performers at the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale
Student performers at the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleStudent performers at the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleYoung Somali-Americans showcase their heritage at the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleStudents perform a play at the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleA board member of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) speak’s at the organization’s Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/MshaleKevin Lindsey, Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner gives the keynote address at the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) Year End celebration in Minneapolis. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale
The Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) held its end of year celebration last month to highlight the achievements of the organization for the year. Founded in 1994 the CSCM works to strengthen the capacity of Somalis in Minnesota to become contributing members of society. The nonprofit works to improve the lives of Somali refugees by promoting education, entrepreneurship and providing personal assistance to individuals in need.
Its twenty two years of existence has seen the organization positively impacting members of the community. “It is the first place individuals come to for help when they arrive [in Minnesota]” said Mohamed Farah. He arrived in Minneapolis in 1999 after a long treacherous journey that had forced him to flee his war torn country of Somalia and into a refugee camp in northern Kenya. From there, Farah was able to find his way into New York before settling in Minneapolis. Upon arrival he was able to receive assistance from CSCM before establishing himself.
“I want to help people” said Farah. He knows what it was like to be in need and he wants to impact his local community and his new home positively by running for a city council position in Ward 9 of Minneapolis. Farah wants to improve public safety, and support small business to foster economic development and improve quality of life. You can learn more about his campaign here.
To ensure the long-term success for young Somalis in the community, CSCM works to promote education through Newcomer Academy. Based in Wellstone International High School the program has made invaluable contributions to newly arrived refugee students around the state. Program manager Bosteya Jama works to ensure that the students are given the proper assistance they need to be successful and catch up on their academic work. In some instances students are allowed to graduate high school later, up to the age of twenty-one, to ensure they have the proper literacy they need to be successful. The program also has after school programs and extracurricular activities to ensure the students are engaged outside of the classroom. At the December celebration, students from the program presented Somali traditional dances to showcase their heritage.
Young entrepreneurs from the Cedar Riverside Community School spoke to Mshale. Classmates Sayed, Charly, and Hamsa have developed an after school start-up program called Sports- Check It Out. The program aims to create a library check out system for sports equipment and needed quality winter clothing in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood as well as neighborhoods in need around Minnesota and the country. They are building an app for Sports – Check It Out and are looking for other communities to partner with to ensure all kids have a safe place to play with access to proper equipment and resources. To meet their goal the Sports – Check It Out team led by Coach Weber, has entered the National SAP Teen Innovator Competition and are currently national finalists for a $10,000 grant to fund their program. To vote for them, you can visit this link. You can also visit their Facebook Page.
Another milestone for CSCM is the development of the Shaqodoon Employment program. In its first year the program has helped hundreds of young Somalis to find and keep jobs. Through training and education provided by the Shaqodoon Employment program individuals can explore new career options that they might be currently unfamiliar with. Moreover this employment program has been a great way for young members of the community to build relationships with potential employers.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner, Kevin Lindsey, gave a keynote speech on the importance of supporting all communities in Minnesota. We are fighting to “make sure that there is opportunity for all Minnesotans” said Lindsey. Despite facing budget cuts from legislators, the departments 37 employees have worked on more than 2000 cases for justice and equality this past year alone and will continue to work and serve the community.
To learn more and support the efforts of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota you can visit their website.
The fees of various immigrant and non-immigrant petitions and applications have increased after the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) increased the fee structure on 23, December 2016.
The fees of various immigrant and non-immigrant petitions and applications have increased after the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) increased the fee structure on 23, December 2016.The fees of various immigrant and non-immigrant petitions and applications have increased after the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) increased the fee structure on 23, December 2016.
The fees of various immigrant and non-immigrant petitions and applications have increased after the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) increased the fee structure on 23, December 2016.
The new fee structure that was proposed on May 4, 2016, was subsequently adopted as final on Oct. 24, 2016.
USCIS has not made changes to its fee structure since November 2010. The fee structure will come to effect for all new applications. All new applications filed starting from 23rd of December should follow the new fee structure or the application will be rejected by USCIS.
A statement released by USCIS reads “applicants and petitioners to pay our new fees with forms postmarked or filed on or after Dec. 23, 2016, or we will not be able to accept the filings. We will only accept previous fees if they are postmarked Dec. 22 or earlier.”
It also says starting from Dec. 23 no applicant will get a 14-day grace period to correct a failed fee payment.
“USCIS will immediately reject a benefit request for nonpayment. We will also no longer hold benefit requests submitted without the correct biometric services fees. You must pay biometric services fees, if applicable, at the time of filing. We will reject a benefit request if it is received without the correct biometric services fee, as specified in the form instructions,” adds the statement released by USCIS.
In a move to help the low-income naturalization applicants who do not qualify for a fee waiver, the USCIS has reduced their fee.
The statement also says that the USCIS gets a large portion of the fund from the amounts collected through the fee levied from the immigration applicants. It also said that the amount collected from the increased fee will be used for detecting fraud, processing cases and a range of other administrative costs. It says the hike of 21% was an inevitable decision as the fee structure remained the same for the last six years.
According to immigration experts, the increase in the fee structure will make it difficult for not-so-rich non-Americans to get the American citizenship.
Leon Rodriguez, the Director of USCIS in an October 24 statement said: “This is our first fee increase since November 2010, and we sincerely appreciate the valuable public input we received as we prepared this final rule.”
He added, “We are mindful of the effect fee increases have on many of the customers we serve. That’s why we decided against raising fees as recommended after the fiscal year 2012 and 2014 fee reviews. However, as an agency dependent upon users’ fees to operate, these changes are now necessary to ensure we can continue to serve our customers effectively. We will also offer a reduced filing fee for certain naturalization applicants with limited means.”
CNBC quoted USCIS spokesperson Peter Boogaard, saying: “USCIS will also offer a reduced filing fee for certain naturalization applicants with limited means.”
“These changes are now necessary to ensure USCIS can continue to serve its customers effectively,” he added.
The new fee structure will come as a heavy toll on vast number of immigrant who want to naturalize as US Citizens. Millions of immigrants apply for US Citizenship each year and the USCIS naturalize thousands of them as new citizens.
During the last one decade, the number of immigrants applying for the citizenship have increased from 5,37,00 to 1 million. According to data collected by the Migration Policy Institute, nearly 7 million immigrants having become Americans during the last decade.
In the state of New York alone, more than 650,00 immigrants are eligible for naturalization and close to 110,500 out of them are eligible for the new visa waiver. But according to experts in the field of immigration, despite the waiver, many of the applicants will find it difficult to file their applications.
According to CNBC report, the increase in the fee structure might rise the number of applicants as this has been a trend whenever there has been a hike. The increase in the number of application is attributed to thousands of potential applicants trying to get ahead for the higher costs.
USCIS has received more than 700,000 applications in the last one year.
ees structure uploaded on the USCIS website is as follows:
Courtesy of USCIS website
This chart lists USCIS’ fees effective December 23, 2016. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after December 23, 2016, must include these new fees or USCIS will reject your submission.
Immigration Benefit Request
New Fee ($)
Old Fee ($)
G–1041 Genealogy Index Search Request
65
20
G–1041A Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Microfilm)
65
20
G–1041A Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Textual Record)
65
35
I–90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
455
365
I–102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
445
330
I–129/129CW Petition for a Nonimmigrant worker
460
325
I–129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
535
340
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
535
420
I-131/I-131A Application for Travel Document
575
360
I–140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
700
580
I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
930
585
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant
I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
585
585
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal
930
585
I–290B Notice of Appeal or Motion
675
630
I–360 Petition for Amerasian Widow(er) or Special Immigrant
435
405
I–485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
1,140
985
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (certain applicants under the age of 14 years)
750
635
I–526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
3,675
1,500
I–539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
370
290
I–600/600A Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative/Application for Advance Petition Processing of Orphan Petition
775
720
I-601 Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability
930
585
I–601A Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
630
585
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended)
930
585
I–687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident under Section 245A
of the Immigration and Nationality Act
1,130
1,130
I–690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
715
200
I–694 Notice of Appeal of Decision
890
755
I–698 Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident
(Under Section 245A of the INA)
1,670
1,020
I–751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
595
505
I–765 Application for Employment Authorization
410
380
I-800/800A Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative/Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country
775
720
I–800A Supp. 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I–800A
385
360
I–817 Application for Family Unity Benefits
600
435
I–824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
465
405
I–829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions
3,750
3,750
I–910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation
785
615
I–924 Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant
Investor Program
17,795
6,230
I–924A Annual Certification of Regional Center
3,035
0
I–929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U–1 Nonimmigrant
230
215
N–300 Application to File Declaration of Intention
270
250
N–336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings
The fee for Form I-192 will remain $585 when filed with and processed by CBP.
Certain low-income naturalization applicants may pay a filing fee of $320 plus the $85 biometric services fee. For eligibility details and filing instructions, see Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
The old fee for N-600/N-600K applications filed on behalf of a biological child was $600 and on behalf of an adopted child was $550. There is no fee for a Form N-600 filed by a member or veteran of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces filing on his or her behalf.
