Nathan and his family were first introduced to Leng Mang’s family after an urgent email was sent out late one Friday night from World Relief Durham asking for brief housing while a refugee family’s apartment was being prepared.

“My wife and I decided this would be a great opportunity to serve refugees and to use our home that God has blessed us with as a ministry tool,” Nathan said. “I have been involved with World Relief Durham in the past, but have wanted to find other ways to be involved.”

Leng Mang’s family arrived to the U.S. on May 6^th and stayed with Nathan and his family until May 10^th. By the end of the week, the two families had bonded over meals and watching their kids play outside.

On May 10^th Nathan helped the family move into their new apartment. Since then, the entire family has been enrolled in ESL classes and they are settling in nicely.

“Aung Win has a two hour commute to ESL classes each day, but he has such a great attitude about it,” Nathan said, “It’s evident that he is grateful that he has the opportunity to learn English, even though it may require riding on 3 different buses to get there. I could learn a lot from his perspective on life, particularly during times when I am prone to complain while sitting in my car in traffic.”

Nathan says that he believes that his family was very blessed by the experience of hosting Leng Mang’s family, “We are so thankful that the Lord has allowed our family to develop a friendship with them.”The two families loved getting to know each other, and their friendship is concrete proof of the connections and work being done here at World Relief Durham. For anyone that is interested in finding other ways to serve, hosting a family is an excellent way.

Throughout their stay and as their friendship continues, the two families find ways to communicate despite language discrepancies.

“Though there is a language barrier,” Nathan said, “we have been able to communicate through broken English, the iBurmese app, and lots of sign language.”

Out of all the things that the two families did together, what Nathan and his wife enjoyed most was watching Leng Mang and his family interact with their children, two of which are 8-month-old twins.

“Leng Mang, Aung Win and Len Len Aung are always fighting over who gets to hold them! We often heard Leng Mang singing to the babies while he was holding them. It was so precious.”

Nathan and his wife plan to continue serving in this way. However, next time a similar situation occurs, the family may do a few things differently.

In particular concerning their preparation of typical American dishes.

“We’ll have to remember the next time we host a Burmese family not to cook pork chops…”

If you are interested in finding ways to serve, including hosting a family, contact Kaylee Baker at kbaker@wr.org for more information.

However, Saba and her husband Ammar would face the challenges of this task with open arms.

Their family came to the U.S. from Egypt in February as refugees resettled by World Relief Durham. As a family, they began to make the same adjustments as any other newcomer refugee family: they connected with a Good Neighbor Team (GNT), they moved into an apartment, and they began ESL classes, to name a few.

 Despite these challenges of entering into a new culture, only four months later this family would bring a whole new meaning to the idea of self-sufficiency that WRD strives for.

Saba, Ammar’s wife, decided to start her own catering company, similar to one that she had when she was in Egypt. Her catering company serves Arabic and Middle Eastern dishes, including their celebrated chicken fataa with salad and hummus.

“It is exciting to start a family business,” Ammar said, “I want to encourage [Saba] to go ahead. I want her to have her own job and confidence.”

On May 19^th World Relief Durham helped the family host a kick-off event for their catering business: Fataa Catering. The kick-off eventwas a tasting in the Hargraves Picnic Shelter in Chapel Hill.

Twenty-five people showed up, and of course Ammar was there, along with many volunteers from the family’s GNT and from World Relief Durham.

“Of course World Relief Durham helped us so much,” Ammar said, “Marissa was a good helper, and of course Sam and Christina Benton. All of the volunteers helped us out a lot. ”

Fortunately, this event is not the last; the next event is planned for some time in June. As for now, a group of volunteers through  World Relief Durham surprised Saba with donations of various baking and cake decorating supplies to further her business and learning, which leaves Ammar feeling optimistic about the future.

“I hope this business will be a new start for us.”

On Friday, April 5th, World Relief Durham refugees and volunteers gathered together for an appreciation event. Volunteers were able to eat, hear and share stories, and meet other volunteers. The night was full of examples of how God is working through refugee resettlement to impact the lives of refugees and volunteers.

We were thrilled to have Stephan Bauman, World Relief CEO, come from Home Office in Baltimore to support our ministry. Bauman opened the evening by encouraging our staff and volunteers and urging us to continue to love refugees as a measure of showing the Lord’s love to them.

Following Bauman’s opening, we heard stories from several of our volunteers and a couple refugees. The volunteers we heard from were each a part of a Good Neighbor Team and spoke about how the Lord is personally working through their relationships with refugees to teach them about His love.

Scott and Annie Hirsch, featured in our recent blogpost, spoke about their experience thus far with their refugee neighbor. They’re excited about continuing to build a relationship with him and learn more about his culture and what he likes.

Two of our refugee neighbors also spoke. Eh Paw (above right photo) mentioned the joy and success she’s had through her friends at World Relief, unlike another refugee she knows.

“She has legs, but she cannot work; she cannot drive. She has a mouth, but she cannot speak, she doesn’t know English.But I can. I have friends in World Relief.”

Vic Wallace, one of our long-term volunteers, has worked with several refugee families over the past few years. He shared funny stories of miscommunication and how the Lord has used World Relief Durham to shape his understanding of the gospel.

“Without sharing the gospel, we fall woefully short of God’s mission. …I’ve never been outside of the U.S.; I’ve never been on mission trips, but I’m on mission here in Durham. The nations have come to us.”

The remainder of the evening was spent mingling; giving volunteers and refugees a chance to get to know one and other enjoy fellowship together.

The Great Human Race

Although the next morning was chilly, our faithful volunteers and refugees gathered the following morning, April 6th, in Durham for the Great Human Race 5k. Bauman and his wife also came and ran the race, and 2 Colombian refugees came to walk the race while practicing their English with the help of our translator.

All photos are courtesy of Rebecca Todd.

This Burmese refugee family has experienced all of these aspects of success through the help of World Relief Durham volunteers.

The family of 4 recently arrived in the Triangle after receiving refugee status in Thailand. Success for this family begins with employment, as the father has gotten a job to provide for his family. Transportation to work everyday was a struggle, especially on Sundays when bussing systems differ. To compensate, individuals at Warren’s Grove United Methodist Church raised money to buy a bike for him so that he is self-sufficient in getting to work. Not only is he employed and getting to work, this refugee is also exploring his talents to make ways to further his career and future.

Three volunteers also work with the father on a daily basis to teach, practice with and help him prepare to get a driver’s license.

The entire family is also getting ESL educations, and are developing strong community around them.

Volunteers have also helped the 2 daughters to get enrolled and registered for school. The children have expressed excitement about learning more of American culture and people.

The family is very happy and enjoy spending time together watching Jackie Chan movies.

Success, though varied, has abundantly been found by this family with the help of dedicated volunteers. They are employed, developing community, and establishing new life in America.

Their success is a product of the time and resources given by volunteers, including Food Lion gift cards. For those who have given gift cards, Thank you! Please continue to donate these cards so that refugees can learn how to buy groceries and rebuild their lives in the Triangle.

Their Good Neighbor Team (GNT) formed shortly after Shawn and Annie provided donations for a refugee arrival.

“First we just bought groceries for a family. We dropped them off, but we didn’t get to meet the family,” Annie said.

Currently, the Hirschs are serving a refugee family in Durham, and upon their arrival, they met them at the airport, ate dinner together, and played games.

“This weekend, we’re going to take them to get clothes and hang out with them,” Annie said about the team’s future plans with the family. “I’m also really excited for them to teach us how to play retan ball–it’s a Burmese game. Then we also want to take them to a Durham Bulls game and things like that.”

Annie also said that the refugees are young and active to sports are a must in their time spent together. Because of this, the team is excited to walk with the refugees in the Great Human Race on April 6th. So far, Shawn and Annie and another member of their GNT are committed to walk in the race, and they’re looking forward to getting the refugees signed up as well.

“Volunteering at World Relief Durham is a great opportunity to form a relationship and serve people,” Annie said. “It’s different from serving strangers once that you’ll never meet again; you really do get to know them and the relationship is mutually beneficial.”

Both Shawn and Annie have learned immensely more about other cultures and the people in the Triangle that they wouldn’t otherwise know. The need for volunteer ministry with refugees is obvious to the Hirschs, who are excited to continue working to serve the refugees in Durham.

“These people are from halfway around the world, and now we’re sitting in the same room.”

]]> http://worldreliefdurham.org/ghr-1/feed/ 0 http://worldreliefdurham.org/burmese-refugee-resettlement-deadlines/ http://worldreliefdurham.org/burmese-refugee-resettlement-deadlines/#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:56:56 +0000 RTodd http://worldreliefdurham.org/?p=2953 more]]>

The current status of Burmese refugees in Thailand is changing quickly. The past 7 years have been spent resettling more than 65,000 Burmese refugees from camps in Thailand into the U.S. As a result of the large-scale resettlement project, Burmese refugees eligible for resettlement has decreased significantly.

Refugees in this resettlement project were registered by the UNHCR and Government of Thailand in 2005.

As a result of the decreasing number of refugees eligible for the resettlement program, the U.S. Bureau of Populations, Refugees, and Migration is setting deadlines for eligible refugees to apply for resettlement. Deadlines were announced in the first camp in 2009, and the remaining 8 camps will receive an announcement throughout 2013 at varying dates based upon the initial commencement of resettlement operations.

Not all Burmese refugees eligible for resettlement consideration in the camps will be interested in resettlement. Keeping this in mind, UNHCR and IRC have created an intensely proactive informational campaign to take to camps in Thailand. Through the campaign, refugees will be encouraged to apply for resettlement by the deadline.

Though the process is ongoing and extensive, the goal of creating and setting deadlines is to complete the large-scale resettlement program and provide resettlement for eligible refugees efficiently and effectively.

What do these deadlines have to do with refugees in the Triangle? Many Burmese refugees in the area are relatives to refugees still in the camps in Thailand. As World Relief Durham continues to meet with the resettled refugees, we are encouraging them to ask questions about the new policy and to urge their family members to apply by the deadlines posted.

This information was provided by Barbara Day, Chief, Domestic Resettlement, Refugee Admissions; Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; U.S. Department of State.

On Saturday, December 8, 2012, more than 200 refugees gathered at our Welcome to the Neighborhood photography event to celebrate their different cultures and build relationships with volunteers.  The afternoon featured free photographs of refugees, food, and a talent show.

As refugees arrived, they were greeted by roughly 60 volunteers.

During the two hours of the event, refugees had their pictures taken by five different photographers, who freely donated their skills and time.

They also performed in the talent show to showcase their cultures. The performances featured traditional Burmese dancing and song and music from Sudanese and other refugees.

The event was more than successful because God did immeasurably more than we anticipated. We planned for only 50 refugees to come, but more than 200 showed up at the event. Refugees were connected to our volunteers, who will help them continue to adapt to American culture, even after World Relief releases them.

Also, Welcome to the Neighborhood served as a tangible example of how World Relief strives to partner with the local church to serve the most vulnerable. This event would not have been possible without the help of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Cresset Baptist Church, and Vintage Church, all who gave their time, resources, and money to serve area refugees. These churches provided transportation for resettled refugees, facilities, door prizes and clothing and supplies donations.

We are so thankful to all of our many volunteers and contributors who made so much of this day possible. Our photographers at the event were phenomenal: Nathan Clendennin, Emily Nycum, Brett Seay, Whitney Ford, and Nathan Mah.

If you would be willing to provide financial assistance, please contact our resettlement director, Lark Walters at lwalters@wr.org.

If you are unable to drop off your donation, please contact Nate Ford at nford@wr.org to set up an appointment for pick-up on Saturday. Please make the appointment by no later than Friday, September 7th.

WHAT TO DONATE: Please note that all donations must be clean and in good repair. We do not accept broken furniture or appliances in need of repair, or anything that is significantly worn.

 Immediate Needs:

• Clean mattresses/box springs
• Couches
• Sitting chairs
• Tables
• Chairs
• Book shelves
• Televisions

• Hygiene products (new only – any size from travel to family size: soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner, razors, deodorant)
• New or gently used towels
• Blankets and comforters for double and twin-size beds
• Everyday glassware, dishes and silverware
• Good quality pots, pans and utensils
• Alarm clocks
• Vacuums
• Rice cookers
• New shower curtains and rings
• Lamps
• Trash cans
• Umbrellas (used is fine)

 Items that are ALWAYS needed:

• Vehicles- please ask us about this tax deductible donation!
• Baby items (new only – diapers, wipes, lotion, clothing)
• Kitchen items (dishes, glasses, silverware, utensils, pots/pans)
• Gift cards to local grocery stores, gas cards

World Relief focuses on providing basic living essentials to our new neighbors. It is for this reason that we do not accept the following items:

• Furniture that is damaged, stained, broken, or pet stained
• Cribs that are not approved by federal guidelines
• Car seats that are not approved by federal guidelines
• Waterbeds (frames or mattresses)
• Radio/stereo/home entertainment equipment
• Appliances that do not work
• Non-functional computer equipment
• Exercise equipment
• Barbeques
• Stuffed animals
• Video games/video game systems
• Books
• Videos
• Chemicals (aerosols, cleaning, automotive, paint)
• Auto parts or tires
• Knickknacks

We hope to see you there!