Sagal Radio Service and Oakhurst Medical Center Annual International Health Fair

Pictures from the Day!

On October 10, 2009 Sagal Radio Service, an native language broadcast for New Americans, and Oakhurst Medical Center, a local health clinic that provides affordable, culturally appropriate and quality health care to South Dekalb County, teamed up again for their annual Health Fair to serve and celebrate with the refugee community. While the official count is not out yet, the county Department of Health brought 400 flu shots to sell and we sold out with a long line remaining! This year's health fair was different in years past as Sagal Radio's newest broadcasting language, Nepali, brought out volumes of the many Nepali descended Bhutanese refugees that have resettled into the area in the two years. Add to their number the four East African language groups represented by Sagal Radio's broadcasts and a diverse and enjoyable crowd appeared to celebrate and enjoy the cloudy but otherwise beautiful day. 

Children and parents were entertained by the antics of a very talented clown, with magic tricks and balloon animals at every turn.  Face painting and an inflatable slide along with a moon bounce ensured that long lines for flu shots caused little dismay. The Red Cross and Oakhurst Staff presented native language media on all manner of public health topics ranging from handwashing to bloodpressure control, while nurses performed free health evaluations. CDC nurses were on hand to meet and celebrate with residents in anticipation of their greater involvement in the refugee community in the coming year. 

Several local ethnic vendors sold handcrafts and imported goods from around the world while Aster, a local Ethiopian restaurant, provided a free lunch of every delicacy one would expect of fine East African cuisine! 

All in all, it was a memorable and fine day and we look forward to seeing the presence and quality service of these community organizations increase among the refugee and immigrant community in the coming year. 

Tags: bhutan, bhutanese, east african, Ethiopian, festival, Health, radio, red cross, refugee, sagal, Somali, vaccines
Topics: Building Community, Community Health, Ethnic Media, Immigrant Integration, Non-profit, Public Health, Refugees