After arrival, refugees receive a medical check at the local health department. This inevitably led to a lot of referrals and even ER visits in many cases since the kids were initially malnoursed.

There was a learning curve for everyone. I remember having to intervene and explain a bit of biology when one parent became quite distraught as it seemed to him the medical staff were draining way too much blood from his little one. I also had to explain to doctors that some things we consider common knowledge here may not be for people from a different background. Despite some initial fears from unfamiliarity with medical practices, the Somali Bantu were glad to know that they and their families could be made healthy.