Metro Area's African Community Quelling Ebola Fears
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- For the sizable African population in the Twin Cities, Ebola fears are never far out of mind.
Abdi Bihi, executive director of Somali education and social activities at the Brian Coyle Center, said they have formed a partnership with the Liberian community and are working with them to bring awareness to how the Ebola virus is spread.
Bihi said that when something happens and it affects one specific people group, leaders work very hard behind the scenes to educate members of that community, who depend each other for resources and support.
Good communication about Ebola seems to be paying off within the community. Bihi said he is not aware of anyone being overly worried about contracting Ebola, but they are concerned just like everyone else.
He said he doesn't know of any West African-owned businesses seeing any negative economic impacts since Ebola was discovered in the U.S.
Bihi says the biggest challenge they are facing is the lack of resources for social activities and other programs to keep young people engaged and active. He said you can help out on that count by donating to their GoFundMe page.
