This is the core of what we do.
South Sudanese in the Greater Omaha Community
South Sudanese immigrants began arriving in Omaha back in 1995. To date there are currently over 15,000 living in the greater metropolitan are making Omaha home to the largest South Sudanese populations in the US and the largest South Sudanese population outside of South Sudan—or the South Sudanese “Diaspora Capitol.” As a result, Omaha was selected in 2011 as the US voting location for the South Sudan independence vote.
Among those who live in our community, a number are professionals in banking, accounting, social work, and other fields. However, most have low-paying, 60-72 hours/week jobs and have not been able to integrate effectively into the U.S. economy and culture. South Sudanese face tremendous challenges integrating into US society. Many were not literate in their own language and have not been able to learn English. Most are employed in low-income jobs with bi-lingual Sudanese supervisors. They work 10-12 hours/day, 5-6 days/week, so they have virtually no time for parenting. There is often great conflict within families.
They don’t have time to learn English unless ESL classes are held on Sundays. They have not used employment resources effectively, so need to be connected into employment systems. They have unbelievable problems with transportation, loans for cars and homes, medical and dental care, domestic abuse, gangs, schools, budgeting, substance abuse, etc. There are also tremendous divisions among the many South Sudan tribes (64 tribes in South Sudan, but only about 8-10 with substantial numbers in Omaha), including anger and distrust from the past and present wars/killings in their country.
Omaha and the surrounding area are home to the largest population of South Sudanese in the US and in 2011 was selected as the US location for the South Sudan independence vote. Despite their presence, many of the 15,000+ South Sudanese living in the greater Omaha area have not been able to effectively integrate into western culture.
While some of those in our community maintain professional careers for too many others working 10-12 hour days at low-paying jobs leaves little time to confront the overwhelming challenges and struggles they face. Compounded by these challenges are deep divisions between the tribes from a history of war in their home country.