#refugee

MUST WATCH– Breaking the Silence: women soldiers talking about abuse in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 

4/11

Portrait of a young refugee from Évian, France. Picture taken circa 1915.

Original image source: Bibliotheque nationale de France


GWICwill be posting one portrait each day until November 11th.

-សេរីភាព-
-Khmer Freedom-

-Just want to show some love to my Khmer brothers and their families . April 17th 1975 is a day that started a nightmare that ravaged and destroyed so many lives in Cambodia. So many people were forced to flee the country they loved. Forced to travel through war torn areas with nothing and doing whatever they could to survive. So many traveled through hell to bring their families to America in pursuit of a better life. If youve heard the stories this day started and what followed itd wreck your heart. So much respect to those that made it, lost everything so that their families could live and see brighter days and also to those who are no longer with us. NEVER FORGET. LOVE PEACE AND FREEDOM TO THE KMHER PEOPLE. #refugee #khmer #cambodia #freedom

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#bakemono0504 #calligraphy #fraktur #50words #typography #tattoo #calligraphygang #letteringart #calligraffiti #lettering #kaligrafi #artistsoninstagram #blackletter #handmadefont #moderncalligraphy #handtype #blackexcellence #blackartist #colorado #denverartist #coloradoartist #tattooidea #芸術 (at Aurora, Denver , Colorado , USA)
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We spoke to refugees and aid workers in and around Milan’s Central Station — one of Europe’s largest railway hubs which has now become a thriving marketplace for people smugglers.

These are the young refugees who have fled Burundi’s violence.

“I promise to be the strongest, wisest leader I can be. I will do my best to echo your loyalty to RiverClan and your courage to speak out on our behalf, and I will learn from your mistakes. I know that I don’t need to prove to the other Clans that RiverClan is the strongest or most powerful. I just want my Clanmates to be happy and at peace.” — Mistystar

“Trouble has already been stirred up! Do you want to stand by while this impostor banishes some poor cat forever, or tries to send more of his Clanmates to their deaths?” — Spotfur

Abdulkadir Faragab was born in Kismayo, Somalia in 1982. Growing up was tough for Abdulkadir, but he made the most of it. After graduating high school he began working as a mechanic, largely due to his life-long interest in cars. He also worked as construction worker and eventually started a family.

In his free time he enjoyed caring for his family and playing soccer with friends. However, turmoil erupted in the country and a civil war broke out. “The Somalia people started to just take what they needed. There was no order or somebody to tell them no.” Abdulkadir had to make a tough decision; he left his wife and children to pursue a better life in America. He understood that he needed to make money and support his family, ultimately giving his family a better life in the long run.

Abdulkadir first traveled by car and bus with a group of other refugees to Libya. Here, he spent some time in a refugee camp where life was difficult.

“People discriminated against people from my part of Africa. Sometimes, we would perform jobs and they would give us no money for it. It was a tough way to live. I worked for 12 hours a day and made only $20 dollars.”

In March 2013, after about a year in Libya, Abdulkadir was resettled to Rhode Island and immediately began seeking resources to personally advance so he could support his family back in Somalia.

“At first, I barely knew English and needed to learn how start a new life. I missed my family back home, but it was my responsibility to care of them, even if I would not see them for a while.”

He started to go to Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island to learn English, make connections, and adjust to American culture. He admits that learning English has been a struggle thus far. “At first I had no idea what was going on; people were talking fast and no one could understand me. Otherwise, I am really starting to understand the language.”

Before coming to the United States, Abdulkadir had to learn of variety of different languages– Arabic and three native Somalian languages– to adjust to all the moving in Africa he did to find work during the war, so he considered mastering English as only a minor challenge. With help from Dorcas International Institute, Abdulkadir was able to find housing with three other refugees he worked with in Libya. He also began a job at a hotel in room service. Although he wasn’t working as he did in Somalia as a mechanic, Abdulkadir took the work to send some money back to his family.

Adjusting to American culture was also a challenge for Abdulkadir. “At first, when my English wasn’t so good, it was hard to ask people for help. Sometimes, if people didn’t understand me, they would just ignore me.”

Other than adjusting to the language barrier, Abdulkadir has slowly been integrating into American culture. He enjoys learning more about the English language and helps out other Somali and Arabic speaking refugees when they first arrive here.

He keeps some of his local traditions, however, and enjoys shopping at a local African market, God is Able African Market in Providence that sells foods and spices native to Somalia. Someday, Abdulkadir would like to also learn Spanish, just to expand his knowledge and communicate with Spanish-speakers in his community.

When asked what he was most proud of, Abdulkadir stated, “I’m feeling good. I’m happy that I was able to make it to Rhode Island and still support my family back home.” However, he keeps one goal on his mind at all times, which is to bring his family to Rhode Island.

“I know they would love it here. I always tell them Rhode Island is a great place. My kids can go to good schools, and I can finally spend time with the people I miss so much.”

Written and compiled by Zachary Brown and Niko Rufo

Ting Barnard was born in Vientiane, Laos and moved to the United States when she was one year old. Her family left Laos due to political issues and war strife between Cambodia and their homeland, braving a journey that wasn’t for the faint of heart.

After a gruesome boat trip to Thailand they were fortunate to survive, Ting and her family were brought to the United States as refugees, landing in Boston.  A giving family sponsored them and provided assistance with food, clothing, and day trips for Ting and her three siblings.  It was her beginnings in the United States that showed Ting the importance of helping others, which soon became her mission in life.

Upon arriving in Rhode Island, her new home, Ting felt alienated due to the differences between her and other kids.  She and her family were unable to have “nice” and “fancy” things, but she was happy and healthy with the bare essentials.

Ting refused to let the bullies get in the way of her dreams.  She earned a degree in Sociology and English at Boston University in 2002.  Soon after, Ting was working her way up the corporate ladder in a prestigious hedge fund company and later for Lehman Brothers in New York City.   After a trip with her husband, Ian, to her home country, she realized her fast paced lifestyle needed to change.

“We lived with no water, no electricity, and my husband and I loved every minute of it; it’s important to live a simple life. After this experience, I decided to come back to Rhode Island and settle down to be closer to family.”

Ting’s current lifestyle utilizes every minute of every day, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.  She has a finance career in downtown Providence, works as a fashion designer for her own custom line, dedicates time to being a philanthropic leader, and, most importantly, focuses on her role as a mother and wife.  As amazing as her accomplishments are, she is most proud of her daughter, Victory, her little “fashionista” at the age of four.

Ting’s inspiration comes from many role models, all of whom urge her to continue to be charitable and to stay humble. Among those, are Ting’s parents who taught her the importance of hard work and community service.  Her father, Viengkhone, has been the president of the Laotian Association of Rhode Island for 5 years.  Her mother, Tong, volunteers and provides services to women in Rhode Island, especially those struggling economically.

Ting’s mother-in-law and father-in-law also have had a significant impact on her success both professionally and personally. They have encouraged her to be the best she can be and the value of teamwork. The Barnard’s favorite saying is, “We are all in this together.”  This is the motto she lives by and shares with her daughter.

“Growing up sleeping on the floor and worrying about where the next meal was coming from gave me an understanding that I never want anyone to live like that, and inspires my mission to give back.  I even worked at a jewelry factory growing up, earning money for my family just to make ends meet.   I want to teach my daughter the importance of helping others and hope that she continues the community outreach.”

Ting is a visionary leader and is actively involved in YearUp, Center for Southeast Asians Rhode Island, StyleWeek, Children’s Friend, Mayor’s Southeast Asian Council, Lincoln School Parent Association, and the Welcoming Rhode Island Advisory Committee.  In the future Ting would like to assist with job creation, as she sees it as her mission to help the unemployed get back to work for the community to thrive.

“I want a thriving Rhode Island filled with innovative thinkers, a state fueled with ideas, passion, culture, heritage and unlimited opportunities for everyone. I wish for a level playing field for everyone, where one is not limited to his dreams because of financial situations.  A state where one is welcomed to dream and to dream BIG.”

Ting unites the community in unsurpassed ways, always looking to better Rhode Island while staying true to her Laotian roots.

“As a Rhode Islander and a citizen of the United States, I feel an obligation to assist those that share this “journey to America for a better life” story. Initially, I felt the importance and almost the need for my family to assimilate into Western culture.  But now, I understand how crucial it is for us to share our customs and traditions with those that are native to America.  We live in a much different world where being one nationality or race is not the norm.    We are indeed a melting pot of multicultural awesomeness with a myriad of languages, customs, traditions and food!”

Written and compiled by Lauren Mullins and Kristen Ferrucci

Komlan Soe was born in Toe Town, Liberia. At the age of three, a civil war broke out forcing Komlan and his family to flee to a refugee camp in Ivory Coast, where his family survived on little rice, cornmeal and flour distributed by UNHCR. At the age of seven, he started first grade at a school established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other non-profit organizations. The school was in unfinished buildings and on under trees, where Komlan and other youngsters would sit and learn their basic Math and ABCs.

In 2002 when civil war erupted in Ivory Coast, Komlan and his family fled to another refugee camp in Ghana. While in the camp in Ghana, Komlan’s curiosity and passion for education grew stronger. Komlan took a high school entrance exam, and he came first out of 70 applicants. He later received a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school, where he was able to sit, for the first time, at comfortable desks and discovered a passion in international affairs.

With his father already settled in Rhode Island, Komlan and his family migrated to Rhode Island in November 2005 as refugees sponsored by Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island.

It was a bittersweet family reunion because his two sisters and a brother remained in Ghana. His welcome into Rhode Island with a sign greeting him and his family was an experience he would never forget.

“It was… I’m finally in the United States. Yes that’s good. It was like a dream.”

As an immigrant, the transition of life in the United States was difficult. The first time Komlan saw snow, he was in disbelief. He was also not accustomed to the American sports, or the food, and did not understand why some people in his new community did not give up their seat to elders on the bus.

In 2008, Komlan began his studies at the Community College of Rhode Island after more than three years of delaying college in order to work and help his family financially. In 2010 he transferred to the University of Rhode Island (URI) where he became heavily involved in different activities while pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Sociology. While at URI, Komlan worked as a Teaching Assistant and held down a full-time job. He graduated in May 2013; a dream he had finally achieved. “I am the first in my family to graduate from college.”

Komlan now works with the African Youth Development Initiative, which he co-founded to empower and engage African and African-American youths around issues such as violence, education, and African culture and history. He not only hopes to engage the youth in Rhode Island in the discussion of what is going on in their state, but also hopes to see more challenging education systems for those young students:

“One day you will be actively involved to bring about change. So the mobilization of young people and then challenging young people… challenging them to get involved is the most important thing I think I can take from that.”

His hope for immigrants is that they should no longer be viewed as victims, rather as survivors. As an immigrant, he saw the ways in which the civil wars affected his family and those he loves, but he says he is very glad he is in America.

“To be an American is to have a story,” says Komlan. He has spent years now getting comfortable sharing his story, and telling people about his past. Komlan believes it is important to remember where you come from, and that having pride in your roots is what makes America so great and unique. It is diverse with many different people, he says, yet everyone shares a common ideal – to make their lives better.

Komlan hopes to attend grad school at Harvard University or Columbia University to continue his passion for education. His biggest goal is to one day become a diplomat to speak, and have a voice for those who don’t. He has since been back to Ghana and Liberia and feels he is needed back in his native homeland, so he plans to help.

“An African proverb which I always refer to says, ‘You are… because we are.’ And that means everything that is done has to be done collectively. One person’s success is everyone’s success and people have to hold together”.

No matter what challenges face him, Komlan smiles and stays determined to get through it.

Written and compiled by Delia Egan and Joseph Thuillier

Passang Chauwan was born in the western half of Bhutan, but at the age of eight she moved to a refugee camp in Nepal where she remained for over 20 years, “In Nepal, we sat in a small house, and had a difficult life in camp.” In the refugee camp, she went to school because only single women were allowed to attend. “If women were married, they could not go to school; they had to stay with the children.”

After 20 years of living in the refugee camp in Nepal, Passang resettled as a refugee in the Unites States with her two daughters, husband and mother-in-law. The refugee resettlement process was not easy.

“It was different from when we left Bhutan to go to Nepal. The United States government had a process for refugees, which involved a form that took two years to get approved. Each family at the camp had different problems. The form asked why we left Bhutan to go to the United States and questions like that.”

On February 12, 2012, Passang left Nepal for the United States with her two daughters. “Yeah, we were worried about leaving our friends in the camp, but we knew we had family in the United States.” The trip from Nepal to the U.S. lasted two days and Passang was only able to bring a suitcase and a couple dresses. Through sponsorship from Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island she settled into a Nepali community in South Providence.

“I am happy to reunite with my husband’s family [who came to Providence first]. I am happy I was able to come here to Providence. Some cases you don’t get any choices where you go so they did me a favor by letting me meet up with my husband’s family. We have a nice community now.”

Passang and her husband live in Providence, Rhode Island, with their twelve and seven year old daughters. “The community is nice and the neighborhood is good.” Passang jokingly said the only part of Providence she could do without is the snow. “The only difficulty is the snow. In my country (Nepal) we don’t have snow, only the mountains do.”

Passang works at Falvey Linen Supply and is also taking English classes in the morning at Dorcas International Institute. She also works “part-time at another job.” In addition to working and taking English classes, Passang takes care of her husband, her children, and her mother-in-law. Both of her daughters are full time students and have grown accustomed to American culture. Passang hopes that they will still hold on to the traditions the Nepalese have practiced for generations.

Initially Passang was nervous if her children would fit in to American culture. She hoped that they would enjoy school and make friends. “The first day of school they were crying, but after a week they were happy.” During her first days in Rhode Island, Passang felt welcomed by other Nepali refugee families who had moved here previously. The Nepali community is tightly connected and helps support one another.

“Each weekend we go to a different house and get together and discuss and ask questions to each other what is difficult for us in the United States and we try to help everyone out in our community…If somebody passed away, then maybe we get together and discuss how much money we need to raise and donate to the family. Also, we talk about citizenship in the United States. Some have no driver’s license, no car, and that’s difficult in our community.”

Passang is very happy to be in the United States and feels blessed to be out of the refugee camp. “I was born in Bhutan, grew up in Nepal, and now I am in America today. Now I have a story like this, the refugee. I have the life.”

Although Passang is happy to be in the United States, she still said, “I miss my family all in Nepal.” Her family still in Nepal includes her mother, sister, and brother. Unfortunately Passang’s mother is constantly sick and struggles with health problems and remains in a refugee camp. “My mom is always sick; she is in a Nepali refugee camp. My sister and my brother, everybody, is in the refugee camp, but they are all in the process [of coming here].”

Passang’s dream for the future is for her daughters to continue school and attend college. She helps her daughters with their school work and also provides financially for the family. “My big mission is for my two daughters. I will work long, and hard, and pay for good knowledge if they want, I will help them. That’s why I came to the United States”

Written and compiled by Alex Napoli, Matt McDermott and Briana Di Prizio

Song Heng was born on July 7, 1957 in Thailand but grew up in Cambodia. His last name, translated as lucky, is fitting for his journey to where he is now.

As a young child Song’s life revolved around school and music. His father, a traditional Cambodian music master, pushed Song to the limit, forcing him to dislike music. Song’s routine became very mundane and very demanding. From very early in the morning, 7 am, until noon, Song went to school. After he came home, he studied, practiced playing Cambodian traditional music, went to the temple to pray, came back and played some more music. Song never liked music as a young child and he only did it out of respect his father.

In 1970, at the age of 13, Song became a soldier for the Cambodian government because the Khmer Rouge Communist Party was attempting to take over. In 1975, Cambodia fell to the communist forces despite government efforts. Song’s life would drastically change soon after.

The Khmer Rouge Communist Party forced a new way of life through violence and aggression. The Cambodian people were forced to perform agricultural works and Song was enslaved to work on a farm for three years. He lived in a prison-like state, fearing for his life with barely any food and no medical care. Approximately three million Cambodians were killed from 1975 to 1979 as a result of the regime. After meticulous consideration Song decided to escape and made his way to the Khao I Dang refugee camp in Thailand. Song recalls:

“I was really skinny, and I walked day and night.  I had one bag of rice.  I knew that I would die if I stayed in Cambodia. [If I left Cambodia] I might [also] die, but [there was also the chance that] if I [was] lucky enough I would get through.  So I walked little by little.  I am very lucky.”

He escaped through the Vietnam border with his girlfriend, making sure not to step on any of the abundant landmines. He witnessed terrible things: families abandoning their crying babies because the Border Patrol wouldn’t let them through and people becoming savages towards each other. In Thailand, he encountered a United Nations bus that led him to the refugee camp, and then he went to another refugee camp in the Philippines where he attended English classes and learned the art of jewelry making.

In 1985, Song Heng and his girlfriend were finally able to be resettled to the United States as refugees, stopping first at San Francisco then transferring flights to Rhode Island, the place he now calls home.

Song was ecstatic to come to the United States. He arrived on a snowy day in February and was surprised by the cold weather. Although he is still not used to the cold weather, Song is proud to be standing on American soil. He says,

“Since I was young I always thought America was a paradise that was very rich. I [wished to] be in America but I never expected it because only the very rich people could come to the Unites States. So [it] is very, very fortunate that I [was able to come] as a refugee and the American government and the people … that welcomed me. Just like I’m born again. That’s how I feel.”

Soon after arriving to the United States, Song continued his jewelry-making studies at a jewelry school and applied for jobs. When he came to Rhode Island the steel business was booming, another reason he felt very lucky.  For nine years, he worked for jewelry companies. Today, he has his own jewelry business and lives in Cranston, Rhode Island with the family he formed with his beloved girlfriend.

Regretting the fact that he never valued his father’s teaching of music as a young child, Song now greatly appreciates Cambodian music and playing music brings back good memories for him. In his free time, he enjoys playing music, and teaches people how to play. In fact, Song travels around the United States to perform. Song gives back to his community as much as possible.

“When we come, we come with nothing. When we go, we only go with one [shirt] and one [pair of pants] so not much counts. Whatever you can give away, give away.”

He is most proud of living in the United States and experiencing the American Dream first hand. “I’m so happy. I’m very, very happy, and I’m so proud of myself and so proud that my dignity can be here. I thank, still in my mind, [and] in my life, I thank American people and the government.”

Written and compiled by Elaine Caban and Nick Ellis

Teddi Jallow grew up in a small village in The Gambia. Although education opportunities for women in The Gambia were slim, she walked four miles to and from school every day, in the hot or cold weather.

In her last year of high school, her husband of two months, Omar Bah, faced many threats because of his position as a journalist. A dictator ruled The Gambia and through his power its citizens lacked freedom of speech. Those who went against the dictator’s views faced serious threats and danger including death. Even in the face of this daunting imposition, her husband continued to pursue his career and due to his reporting Bah’s family began receiving threats.

“We don’t call it a war zone but it’s kind of like that. Because whatever you said, if you were opposed to him [the dictator], you were dead. They killed so many people there, and he was the guy who was out there writing whatever he saw.”

Because of the seriousness of the situation, Bah had no choice left but to flee the country. He spent his first year away in Ghana and then was relocated to Rhode Island as a refugee where he spent two more years before reuniting with Jallow. In June of 2009, Jallow began her journey to her new home. Her trip took a day and a half and three different flights: from The Gambia to Belgium, Belgium to Newark, and Newark to Rhode Island.

The decision to come to Rhode Island was out of their hands. However, it ended up being a perfect fit coming from one of the smallest countries in Africa to the smallest state in the United States. Upon arrival, Jallow was welcomed by Bah and some of his colleagues. The adjustment to her new environment posed some challenges that both Jallow and Bah had to overcome, such as getting used to transportation, housing, and new foods.

A memory that Jallow recalls from her first day in Rhode Island was her surprise to see all of the cars in the parking lot, thinking that they were all for sale. Bah had to explain that those were the cars that people drove around every day. This concept was new to her and after some hesitation she was able to recognize the fact that people didn’t walk to places as much as she was used to.

After having some time to adjust to this new way of life, Jallow began studying nursing at the University of Rhode Island during the week, while also working throughout the weekend and raising two young boys, Barry, 3, and Samba, 1 ½. Even with this busy schedule, she continues to look forward with a positive attitude. Jallow is inspired by the independence and motivation that she sees around her.

“You see these seventeen, sixteen year old girls that are working. Like, everyone here is working and independent. And everyone is going to school, so you see that is the life that everybody wants. Being able to be independent: go to school, go to work, be yourself. You don’t have to follow anybody to give you anything. You don’t have to be like ‘Oh you are a woman you have to stay in your house, take care of the children’. No that’s not the case. So you have all of these opportunities; you need to make use of them.”

Jallow understands the importance of education, especially since it wasn’t easy for her obtain in her home country. In Rhode Island, Jallow wants to improve the education system so that youth may see its value. She is also concerned about bullying in schools, regarding the lack of understanding that the children have of each other’s differences.

“Children are our country’s future. When they go to school, they are the [future] presidents, they are the [future] law makers, they are the [future] jobholders; they are everything for us. So if you educate kids to be better, I think that will make a big difference.”

In order to create a more welcoming environment, Jallow believes that it is important for immigrants and refugees not to be the recipients of sympathy.

 “Incorporate them, let them be independent, let them be themselves, [help them] to be able to do things for themselves, because we have so many opportunities here.”

In light of all that Jallow and her family have faced, she continues to work hard to better her future and to teach her kids to take advantage of every opportunity presented to them.

 Written and compiled by Katherine Cantillo and Hannah Sorila