Khalda Mohieldin
She’s aiding Sudanese newcomers
Khalda Mohieldin understands well the challenges area Sudanese face.
Mohieldin dealt with similar issues when she moved to Iowa City 10 years ago.
The biggest challenges for newcomers are learning the English language, finding decent jobs, getting homes and preserving the Sudanese culture for their children, she said.
As a founder and an advocate of the Sudanese Community Center, Mohieldin is working to make those issues less challenging for Sudanese immigrants into the country.
“The Sudanese need something to bring them together and help solve their problems,” Mohieldin said.
The community center is in the back of Tayeeb Afro Oriental Food & Café in Coralville.
Mohieldin and others are working to raise money to purchase a building for a community center.
Including children, there are about 50 Sudanese people in the Iowa City area, Mohieldin said.
With fighting and turmoil continuing in Sudan, she expects the number to grow.
She hopes the community center also can point out community human right abuses taking place overseas.
“The Iowa City community can put more pressure on the Sudanese government to cooperate with human rights groups and international agencies,” Mohieldin said.
— Deanna Truman-Cook
