Sheeko Sheeko is a Somali cultural storytelling program that connects families with their roots and engages them with dialogic reading. In Sheeko Sheeko, the mother starts the exchange with her child by saying, “Sheeko, Sheeko” (story, story). The child responds, “Sheeko Xariir” (what is the story?). The mother and child go back and forth and build a story made up of Somali rhymes. The program builds upon this existing cultural tradition to encourage mothers and family members to increase their child’s language exposure through singing lullabies and sharing stories. Sheeko, Sheeko program includes weekly home visits from practitioners, establishes a network of families, and hires staff culturally and linguistically matched to families. 

In June 2019, The Sheeko, Sheeko Xariir home visiting, was launched into the community. The program promotes maternal health to help the mother find a set schedule to get her children, reduces stress by having our monthly parents lead conversations that allow participants to share what is working for them and their de-stress methods. This program also monitors the progress of children’s development by providing parent advising, referrals, screenings, and guidance to navigate parenting.