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Help those in need with Community Baby Shower

Posted at 8:43 PM, Jun 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-20 22:56:59-04

There's a saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." That is especially true of this year's Community Baby Shower photograph. That's because the story of this year's baby and her refugee family is worth more than a thousand words.

Ilily Kadir lights up a room with her smile. The nine month old was definitely ready for her close up as this year's Community Baby Shower poster child. We met Ilily, her mom Fardus and older brother and sisters at Baby Steps in Caldwell. I's one of four local non-profits Community Baby Shower supports. Fardus started attending the incentive based education program while
pregnant with Ilily.

"I came into the program and they welcomed me right away,” said Fardus Osman, Baby Steps Participant.

Fardus escaped from Somali just before the civil war broke out. Her husband, Sultan grew up in Kenya. Their unlikely journey brought them together in Minnesota where their families settled after being sponsored to come to the United States. Fardus remembers,

"I didn't even know he spoke Somali. He kept it hidden. I'm like you chuckle at your own jokes. Do you speak Somali? Sure enough he speaks five other languages,” said Fardus, Baby Steps Participant.

The couple moved to Idaho for Sultan's job and in five years had their four children. Fardus says Baby Steps gives her family another connection to their community, with play time for the kids and weekly parenting classes for her.

Understandable for busy mom who is raising Idaho's next generation, all while making sure her children never forget their heritage.