FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2008
CONTACT:
Somali Diaspora Network (SDN)
Mr. Roble spoke about the project and presented “The Somali Diaspora: A Journey Away” which includes the story of a family migrating from Dadaab refugee camp to Anaheim, CA and Portland, OR In addition the project has documented the largest and second largest Somali communities in the United States- Minneapolis, MN and Columbus, OH., respectively.
On Sunday, June 2, 2008, a fundraising event for Somali Documentary Project (SDP) was held at Quality Inn hotel in
SDP is a photographical and essay documentary of the post civil war Somali Diaspora in the
The fundraising event attracted over 130 guests from the Somali community and non Somali friends from as far away as 
The event has inspired a clear sense of purpose and unity among the participants; invoking strong sense of belonging and deep reflection among the Somali community members of their rich culture. There was a wide consensus that the project, the first of its kind, should be supported by the Somali community everywhere. SPD is indeed unique in many aspects, chief among them is the fact that the project aims to simply tell a Somali story devoid of political self-interest.
Among the many speakers were Abdirahman Dahir who has worked with refugee families for a long time, Professor Ahmed Nur Sheikh Ali, and photojournalist Sahal Abdulle. Each speaker has emphasized and reiterated the need to support and preserve important and noble projects like SDP. 
The keynote speaker was the founder of SDP, photographer Abdi Roble who has won numerous accolades for his work and activism. His most recent exhibit, “Stories of the Somali Diaspora,” was featured in the Columbus Museum of Art,
He was introduced to the podium by his friend Sahal Abdulle who traveled from
Last summer, SDP has expanded to Europe; countries such as
The audience listened intently as Mr. Roble detailed the painstaking work of his team, involved photography and writing to document the migration of Somalis fleeing from the civil war and the formation of a worldwide Somali Diaspora. The audience enjoyed watching a short film about the project and slides depicting stories of Somali families in the refugee camp and in the Diaspora.
Mr. Roble told the stories of Somalis who are still in migration and are in desperate need of help, and other Somalis who have succeeded in life after they re-settled in
The event was planned and coordinated by the Somali Diaspora Network (SDN) in collaboration with the Somali American Peace Council (SAPC) and many other members of the Somali community in the
For more information about the Somali Documentary Project, please learn and contact through the following: www.somaliproject.org or send an email to [email protected].