From Darfur to Texas
Published June 08, 2009 @ 11:03PM PT
I just returned from San Antonio, where I spent time with a local family of Darfur activists, and the resettled Darfuri refugees they help support. I don't want to say too much about the refugees themselves, so as not t betray confidence (the Sudanese government has been known to keep tabs, even on those who've left) but I will say that, first, I find it amazing that people can go through such horrific --- and to me, unimaginable/completely out of my frame of reference --- experiences and still get out of bed in the morning, much less move to a new country, hold a job, and raise children. I often wonder if I would fair as well, if I ever found myself in a similar situation.
People often ask me for ideas on "what they can do" to contribute to the fight against genocide/mass atrocity/conflict/allthingsbad. Look around you: The links between you, your community, and war may not be as far off as they seem. Imagine what it would be like to flee an attack on your hometown, with your children on your back, live for years on just-above-the-threshold-for-survival rations, and then try to make sense of a life in a new country with a new language, new customs, and a way of life so far removed from everything you find familiar. Who is living right next to you, who might appreciate your support?
Individuals like @goldlis and @goldmeg, along with their family, contribute substantial amounts of their time, out of compassion, to helping Darfuris settle into their new lives in the United States. Refugee support services are scant --- and the efforts of volunteers go a long, long way.
According to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, 698 Sudanese refugees arrived in the U.S. in 2007 alone. Many different organizations, with many volunteer opportunities, support refugees in the U.S.; for a start, check out the IRC, HIAS, and Catholic Charities USA. If you know of others, please leave a note in the comments section.
[Photo from State.gov ]
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Comments (4)
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Michelle became involved in the anti-genocide cause at a young age, and has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns, ever since.
Wounderful role Michelle and it's highly appreciate I support you individually; although must come from official gruop goverment;Parties..) because you're trying to make sense of a life in a new country and so far removed from everything you're find familiars to share the charity there, bless jops.
Your question about Who is living right next to you, who might appreciate your support? this very important question must many stand up to thanks and suppourt anyone or organizations,etc. whom have got a role for helping Darfuris and settled their new live.Ahhhhhhhh who? who?
Valuable is the work you do
Outstanding in how you always come through
Loyal, sincere, and full of good cheer
Untiring in your efforts throughout the year
Notable are the contributions you make
Trustworthy in every project you take
Eager to reach your every goal
Effective in the way you fulfill your role
Ready with a smile like a shining star
Special and wonderful -- that's what you are!!
Posted by Hassan Idriss on 06/09/2009 @ 04:38AM PT
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Michelle, thank you for this post.
I linked to it on my refugee resettlement blog (refugeeresettlementreform.wordpress.com), along with a list of "Practical Ways to Help" also pasted below.
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Practical Ways To Help [Cross-posted at Humanitarian Relief. Thanks, Michael!]
There are resettlement offices in nearly every state. A great many of these offices are hurting badly in the economic downturn, and struggling to provide essential services to the refugees they resettle. Volunteers can make a very big difference.
A few things your local resettlement office can probably use:
1) Mentors, especially for refugee youth.
2) Volunteer English teachers.
3) Community health volunteers to run workshops on nutrition, women’s health, and personal safety.
4) Donations of furniture for use in the office and in refugees’ new homes.
5) Volunteer movers with vans or pick-up trucks.
6) Web-design and general technology volunteers.
7) Volunteer grant-writers. (Note to those of you looking for humanitarian jobs: this can be easily turned into an internship or fellowship.)
8) Lawyers and activists to run civil rights/civil liberties and anti-discrimination workshops, and to do pro bono work on asylum cases.
9) Volunteer interpreters and translators. (Karen, Burmese, Arabic, Farsi, Somali, French, Spanish, Nepalese and Russian are in high demand.)
10) Job development volunteers to help refugees create or edit their resumes, practice interviewing, and look for jobs.
11) Volunteers (ideally but not necessarily clinical psychologists) experienced with providing care to trauma victims.
When you get in touch with a resettlement office, it’s good to be specific about what skills you have and what kind of volunteering you would like to do. That gives volunteer coordinators an idea of what special talents they can call on. That said, you don’t need any special qualifications to be a general support volunteer or a mentor, just the right attitude.
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You can find your local resettlement field office by checking the websites of the following organizations:
International Rescue Committee
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Heartland Alliance for Human Rights and Human Needs
Iowa Department of Human Services
Church World Service
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee Services
World Relief
Posted by Transitionl... . on 06/11/2009 @ 08:54AM PT
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Ah, I remember that post now! Is it ok if I re-cross post, rather than just leaving it here in the comments section?
Posted by Michelle . on 06/11/2009 @ 05:55PM PT
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Yes, by all means!
Posted by Transitionl... . on 06/12/2009 @ 06:33AM PT
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