Project Refuge
Project Status
Welcome
A Poem by Mohamed Sahid
A transition to perhaps coincide
And Put The Past And Future, Side-by-Side,
No Words Can Possibly Describe
The Mixed Emotions in Motion Inside
Separated from a child, your wife, or tribe
Bullets and Missiles A lighting the Sky
Rations Irrational, Swarmed with Flies
Fashionable Nationals, Hope's in Disguise
A young Girl Runs And Passes By
Surrounded by neighbors who live yet still die
A Sorrowful Sign, Hope's In Her Eyes
What Happens When The Young Girl Begins to Cry
And Tears Flow Endlessly, Until They Are Dry
Does Hope Escape?, It's Hard To Pray When All Your Ambitions Have Been Washed Away
Your Chance Has Arrived. You've Been Allowed to Settle in America.
What's In Store in America?
Shocked By The Way People Stare-Atcha
Unaccustomed to Your Customs And Your Fine-tuned Character
Welcome to The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave
To Know You Can Make A Home Of This Place
And Work The Same Labor And Know That It Pays
If Life Is A Spiritual Journey We Take Then With That I Welcome You To The Brighter Phase
So Welcome!
As You Enter Your Flooded With Memories
Memories Of One's You've Lost
You Need Redirection, You're Lost in Thoughts
But You Trusted In God, In God We Trust
I Wish You And All Others The Best of Luck
And Like A Peasant Who Was Just Offered the Throne, I'd Like To Welcome You to Your New Home.
December 2011 Update:
Jewelry Making Classes Offer "Win/Win" for Clients and Project Refuge As Project Refuge celebrates a successful inaugural year, we also must be mindful of future sustainability. Over the past several months we have explored several strategies for client-based small businesses. During this time we were fortunate to meet Dr. Marjorie Blanchard, a compelling motivational speaker, management consultant, best-selling author and entrepreneur. Dr. Blanchard has also co-authored several books with her husband, Ken Blanchard (known internationally for his "One Minute Manager" program).
Marjorie Blanchard is an accomplished designer of beautiful jewelry; and she also has a strong interest in helping refugees. She has generously donated her artistic expertise to Project Refuge by teaching jewelry-making to our clients. This exciting and rewarding venture is a potential "win/win" for everyone involved: Clients make beautiful jewelry, build self-esteem, learn basic business practices and earn a wage -- and proceeds from the jewelry sales will help support Project Refuge.
Several Rotary members and other volunteers have joined the venture; and thus far we have begun the highly enjoyable and productive classes.
Thank you Dr. Blanchard and volunteers!
If you are interested in helping with any aspect of the jewelry-making venture, contact Project Refuge Co-Director Dory Beatrice: dbeatrice@san.rr.com
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Project Refuge Client Testimonials
"The program made a major impact on my life. I am working and have found an apartment. This progress would not be possible without the help of Project Refuge."
"Every service I receive from Project Refuge has improved my life and given me hope."
"When I first arrived at the apartment I felt small in this huge world and lost. But now I can say I belong in it and that I am surviving day by day in adjusting to American lifestyle." (This client now lives in Denver and is employed as a translator at a school.)
"When I first arrived at the apartment I was lost and hopeless...Project Refuge has made a huge difference in my life. It gave me a place to call home and helped me establish myself into an independent man who wants a great future." (This client has found employment in the meat processing industry in Texas.)
Did You Know?
Upon completion of their final hearing, refugees who have been granted legal asylum are released that evening or the next -- at night, without notification to anyone. They are taken to the San Ysidro trolley station or the Federal Building downtown and dropped off, alone, in the dark of night. Project Refuge is making arrangements to meet the asylees, give them a warm welcome and introduce them to the supportive services that can help them make a successful transition to our community.
Upon completion of their final hearing, refugees who have been granted legal asylum are released that evening or the next -- at night, without notification to anyone. They are taken to the San Ysidro trolley station or the Federal Building downtown and dropped off, alone, in the dark of night. Project Refuge is making arrangements to meet the asylees, give them a warm welcome and introduce them to the supportive services that can help them make a successful transition to our community.
