Sahan Journal

“Tani waa su’aashayda” (or “Here’s my question” ): A voice-note newsletter for Somalis living in Minnesota

Aala Abdullahi, Abdirizak Diis, Michael Tortorello

The audio-only newsletter directly connects to and brings Minnesota’s Somali community together, bypassing the complexities of differing dialects and grammar in the Somali language. Delivered via a series of SMS voice notes, the newsletter always closes with an invitation for feedback, which informs subsequent reporting. The newsletter’s 99% subscriber retention rate showcases its effectiveness and creates a blueprint for reaching other oral-based cultures and communities.