Participatory study of Somali
The Somali community in Hamilton is the subject of an in-depth study by a team led by Waikato University academic Bernard Guerin with his wife Pauline Guerin, Fatuma Hussein Elmi, and Abdirizak Abdi. The study, one part of a larger six-year project looking at the family and community impacts of migration, is called Strangers in Town: Enhancing Family and Community in a More Diverse New Zealand Society. It also includes analyses of census data and research on the social effects of Māori mobility.
Bernard's project complements the NZIS Refugee Voices project. "Refugee Voices spans all refugee groups across New Zealand. We have a different methodology – it is community research using participatory methods with one community. So there are a lot of activities in which we help the community. We participate in the community and learn that way. The two research approaches are complementary," Bernard said.
Bernard said the findings of the research had a number of implications for the way policy was implemented, and the findings could be used to develop approaches and intervention strategies that would enhance the wellbeing of families and communities.
For example, one finding so far was that the bureaucracies of western societies could be a major obstacle to refugees.
"At present the community has an average of six children per family, which can create complications with bureaucracies, even with something as simple as filling in forms. Also, we see prejudice and discrimination increasing in government departments and schools. We are working to understand and address these issues without blaming either the Somali or the bureaucrats.”
The research had also identified a need for specialised mental health and advocacy services for migrants and refugees in Hamilton. "Our project is working with others towards achieving this."
He said many Somali were unemployed but still did seasonal and part-time work. While a lack of English language skills was a major obstacle, "innovative initiatives are required since our research has found that many Somali, both men and women, worked successfully as self-employed business people in the Middle East and Africa and could potentially do so here. We are looking at ways of utilising their business experience in the New Zealand context."
For more information contact b.guerin@waikato.ac.nz
