by Bonnie Rukin
A stellar summer day provided the backdrop for a visit to the Kasheekee Summer Youth Program at Liberation Farms in Wales, Maine. Sponsored by the Somali Bantu Community Association (SBCA), the summer program is one of several youth programs offered by SBCA. The mission of all these programs is “to empower youth through cultural pride, agriculture, and community connections.”
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Led by Isha Kasai, who has developed and managed the summer program since 2023, a group of 30 Somali Bantu children, ages 6-12, came from Lewiston to the community farm in Wales one day each week to experience farm life, and to gain skills in cooking, gardening, and goat care.
During the farm visits, the children shared English with community elders, many of whom do not speak English. Meanwhile, the elders passed along heritage farming skills and shared family histories and Somali with the children.
The children were divided into two groups – one group prepared new, raised garden beds and weeded established beds of collard greens and lettuce, while the second group of children spent time in the goat barn with livestock manager Jacob Morton, where they learned about goat anatomy and hoof trimming.
Six high school students served as summer youth program leaders, and two adults were summer youth program consultants. In the pavilion, children enjoyed snacks and art activities related to farm projects.
