Wisconsin Life

- Isaak Mohamed: I'm a man who wants to help, you know.

I feel that no matter where you go in this world that you can at least do something, you know.

And I wanted to give back.

My name is Isaak Mohamed.

My title here in Barron Area Schools is Somali District Liaison.

I was born in Somalia.

A family of six.

Before I came to U.S., I was a refugee in Uganda.

I was part of the refugees still working with the UNHCR.

And then, I finally did my last interview in 20-- 2012 with U.S.

Homeland Security.

I was set to go to United States.

So, I was registered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This was extremely hard for me.

I was-- My face was getting dry.

My lips were dry.

And I'm like, "No, this is not-- This is a different heat."

And I had a friend who lived in Wisconsin, in Barron, Wisconsin.

He told me, "You know what?

"Most Somalis work here at JENNIE-O Turkey Store.

If you want to come here, see, and if you like it..." Started working at JENNIE-O Turkey Store as production on the floor.

So, I was volunteering for the schools while I was working at JENNIE-O and going to school.

And then, I got a full-time position here.

In 2018, I was hired as Somali District Liaison, where I serve all schools.

But I go where I am needed, and I receive all the emails and the work related for the Somali families.

We have children.

We have families here.

Our children look back to us.

Anything that you do will help you give to any human.

Kindness is what's, you know, Muslim faith tells us to be kind, to be a good neighbor, to be nice to your, you know, neighbors, help each other, you know, in the community.

Catfish, yeah, - Woman: How I?

Catfish, follow.

- Flew.

- Flew.

- I'm also a community health worker for Barron County Health and Human Services.

I have a Facebook campaign that I do awareness video.

I briefly say in English and then translate into Somali.

Vaccination in Barron County.

[speaking Somali] Waxaan bulshada ku dhaqan Deganadda Barron (I would like to update the Somali community) u shegeyaa xaladaha ugu danbeyey (about where we are at) ee COVID-19 (with COVID-19 in Barron, Wisconsin) iyo warka ka imanaya Xarunta Cafimaadka.

(and a report from public health.)

And finally, I started running for political office.

Why not give back to the community?

You know, you can do this, Isaak, and you can be a voice for those whose voices are not heard.

And I made it April 20, 2022.

The first Somali elected official in the state of Wisconsin for a local office.

So, I now serve District 3, and continue contribute to Barron City Council.

I propose on the agendas that this is what my community needs, you know.

So, like the housing, you know, part of this community needed.

So, that's been approved.

So, we have 40 units of housing.

I would say that, you know, we are lucky to be in Barron.

This, you know, the Barron community welcomed our community.

That's so nice.

We have seen integration in the community.

We have seen friendship.

We have seen, you know, Somalis known in Northern Wisconsin like they are part of the Wisconsinites.

You know, they're part of this community.

I was one time a refugee with no home, so stateless.

But I'm proud to be a citizen.

It's a great nation.

It's a nation for everyone.

It's a land of opportunity.

You can be anything you want.