Juba Vision conference in St. Cloud to focus on Somalia

SC Times
Friday, July 06, 2012

A group described by its leaders as a nonprofit working to aid famine-ravaged Somalia will host an international conference in St. Cloud this weekend.

Juba Vision will host supporters from across the U.S. and Canada at a conference at River’s Edge Convention Center Saturday and Sunday. About 100 attendees are expected, according to convention center staff.

Juba Vision raises money to improve living conditions in Somalia by building schools and hospitals, according to its president, Mohamed Mahad. According to its website, jubavision.org, the group is working to aid the Juba region of Somalia along the country’s southern border.

Somalia and other East African nations faced a catastrophic drought and famine last year that affected more than 13 million people, according to United Nations estimates. Somalia has struggled with internal violence and dire poverty since 1991, when its central government effectively collapsed.

The group’s secretary, Mohamud Ali, said Juba Vision is hosting its conference in Minnesota because of the state’s large Somali population. Ali said his group has a proposal to build a school in the Juba region and is seeking support and donations to make it happen.

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