Dube Ganamo is very attached to his cell phone because he is the person people turn to for help within his Cedar Riverside community in Minneapolis. Described by a friend as “a blessing,” Dube’s kindness and encouragement have led East African immigrants to better health and wellness, including getting COVID-19 vaccines and testing.
Unbreakable man with a big heart
How did a man who experienced the brutality of the communist government in Ethiopia keep his spirit from breaking, travel across the world and immerse himself in uplifting the spirits of others? How does he move on from the memories of the communists killing his first-born son and confiscating his tractor and farm equipment, preventing him from making a living? The answer is clear. Dube is an unbreakable man with a big heart and a voice that can’t be silenced. “It’s more expensive to live in Minnesota than in Ethiopia,” he says. “But it’s worth it to be free. The communist dictator government in Ethiopia just takes you away if you don’t agree with their politics.”
Sharing his life and championing health
Awol Windissa is the director of community health with Pillsbury United communities at the Brian Coyle Center, located directly across the street from Riverside Plaza where Dube lives and serves others. Awol connected Trellis with volunteers like Dube. Awol says, “We have a lot of activities to support people’s physical and emotional health and well-being. There are mental health issues in our community, especially since COVID. Dube serves as a community health champion. He leads people to us for the support they need to stay healthy and happy. He brought more than 50 people to a COVID clinic that we hosted in February with the help of M Health Fairview..”
Dube was a mentor to students at Lincoln International High School, sharing his life experience and providing encouragement for succeeding in life. He’s also a frequent visitor to three area mosques where he enjoys meeting new people and leading them to the Brian Coyle Center. But if you want to see Dube’s true joy, ask him about the community garden he tends to on the campus of Augsburg University. His farmer’s hands were made for the soil, and his passion for growing flowers and vegetables is deep. “I work in the garden with five other seniors,” he says. “Some of us pull weeds, some of us water. We grow onions, hot peppers, black cabbage and other vegetables and flowers that we share with people in our community.” It’s common for Dube to knock on a door and surprise a resident of Riverside Plaza with the gift of an onion or a tomato.
Approximately 7,000 people live in Riverside Plaza and about 1,000 of them are older adults. A Juniper chronic disease class at the Brian Coyle Center is helping them with social needs, group health workshops and coaching on healthy eating and better sleep. Participants develop a weekly action plan with a list of things to accomplish within seven days. “African families prefer to be at home with each other,” says Awol. “Our health classes bring them out.”
Multilingual support
Dube is an outgoing person who makes friends wherever he goes. Because he understands Somali and Amharic languages in addition to his native Oromo, he is able to help anyone in his community. He directs people with housing, emergency assistance, healthcare and unemployment issues to the Brian Coyle Center for help.
As a trusted Muslim leader, Dube is one of the first people families call when someone passes away because he knows who to call for help. He is also a frequent speaker at weddings and other community events. “Dube wants to make sure people know they have someone to turn to,” says Awol. “He is also still helping people in Ethiopia.”
Helping others appears to be medicinal for Dube. Now in his 80s, daily doses of love and care for others help him stay physically healthy and mentally sharp. He also attends an adult day care program for social interaction, exercise and other activities. He says, “If I don’t do these things, I don’t feel as well.”
Dube’s message to older persons in his immigrant community is simple, “Go outside, explore and get involved in community activities, so you’re not isolated. Move your body and get good sleep.”
This beloved community builder finds joy in his volunteer work. “By supporting others, I feel happy.”
Introducing people to the Senior LinkAge Line
In recent months, Dube has joined Trellis as a volunteer ambassador and is helping people learn about the services of the Senior LinkAge Line®. “Dube is a beautiful human being,” says Jetta Wiedemeier Bower, volunteer and outreach manager at Trellis. “He is helping us cross cultural and language barriers to better serve our neighbors in Cedar Riverside and has helped strengthen our partnership with Brian Coyle.”
Trellis is grateful for Dube, Awol and everyone at the Brian Coyle Center who support older people in their community every day.
If you know someone who would like to be a volunteer ambassador for their community, contact us at volunteer@trellisconnects.org.
