Describes the mission of the Somali Bantu Community Organization Inc. (SOBCO) and the programs it undertakes on behalf of Somali Bantu refugees living in the United States. Headquartered in Clarkston, Georgia, SOBCO provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services for these refugees and helps them develop essential language and employment skills. Affiliate offices are located in California, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. SOBCO’s website contains background information about the organization as well as contact information for its main and affiliate offices; a brief history of the Somali Bantu; current news and events from various media sources, including a number of African publications; links to United Nations agencies, international organizations, and U.S. federal agencies that address refugee and resettlement issues; a listing of employment opportunities; descriptions of services available from SOBCO, including translation and interpretation as well as mediation; and information about special programs, such as the Somali Bantu Children’s Foundation (SBCF), dedicated to raising awareness of and funds to meet the needs of the thousands of Somali Bantu children in Somalia and in refugee camps in Kenya.
