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Grandmother & granddaughter, arrived March 2007

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A refugee is a person fleeing his or her country because of g p g ypersecution or a well‐founded fear of persecution on 

account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or b hi i i l i lmembership in a particular social group

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Refugees – A group of people from a certain g g p p pdemographic being persecuted; status is determined outside of the U.S. and they are resettled with the help of an agencyg y

Asylee/Asylum Seeker – Individual being persecuted; an asylee is already in the U.S. when s/he applies for y y / ppprotection and must prove they have reason to fear persecution in their home country 

Internally Displaced Persons – Have not crossed a border, but have been forced out of their home area

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42.5 million forcibly displaced people 42.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide

4 3 million newly displaced 4.3 million newly displaced

7.1 million warehoused 10+ years

46% of refugees are under 18 years old

5.5% of Omaha’s population is refugees

Source: UNHCR trends at a glance‐ Source:  UNHCR trends at a glance ‐

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R f fi d i iti l l i i hb i t Th ll i ith Refugees find initial asylum in a neighboring country. They usually arrive with no possessions having fled for their lives.

UNHCR provides basic shelter and food. UNHCR provides basic shelter and food.

There is no opportunity for employment or generating income.

Refugees often are met with hostility from members of the host country which is frequently poor and ill‐equipped to sustain an influx of refugees.

Camps are often fenced and refugees may not leave the confines of the camp Camps are often fenced, and refugees may not leave the confines of the camp.

Camps are often dangerous places which are still subject to attack.

The average stay in a refugee camp is 15‐20 years prior to resettlement.

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You have to flee your home tonightYou have to flee your home tonight. You must run on foot.You will never return.

What one thing would you carry with you?What one thing would you carry with you?

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Repatriation ‐ Returning to their home country if it is Repatriation Returning to their home country if it is deemed safe and secure

Naturalization/First Asylum – Settling in the country to which they have fledto which they have fled

Resettlement ‐Moving to a third country for permanent resettlement; less than 1% of the total refugee population is accepted for resettlemente ugee popu at o s accepted o esett e e t

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1 A f il1.  A person or family must enter a United Nations 

supported refugee camp or contact a UNHCR office in an urban area to register and become a documented 

2 A person or family submits an application with UNHCR to seek

refugee. 

2.  A person or family submits an application with UNHCR to seek resettlement.

3 IF d i f i t i h lth h k d i t t3.  IF approved, a series of interviews, health checks, and appointments follow to determine final eligibility.

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Australia Canada DenmarkAustralia Canada DenmarkFinland Ireland New ZealandNorway  Sweden United Kingdom United States The Netherlands

I h U S P id i l D i i d id hIn the U.S., a Presidential Determination decides the number  of refugees admitted to the U.S. each year

Fiscal Year 2012 ceiling = 76,000Fiscal Year 2012 ceiling   76,000

There are 450 local resettlement agencies in the U.S.

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Pre‐arrival ServicesPre arrival Services• Preparation of housing, utilities, finances, and food

Post‐arrival Services• Airport pickup• Housing orientationHousing orientation• Cultural orientation (3 sessions)• Clothing• HHS application• Medical care (3 sessions)• Enrollment in ESL & school Caseworker teaching about the stoveEnrollment in ESL & school• Employment search

Caseworker teaching about the stove

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Refugees come to the U.S. with an I‐94.Refugees come to the U.S. with an I 94.They are legal and allowed to work the minute they arrive.

‐ Refugee I‐94s do not expire‐ Refugee I‐94s do not expire

‐ Refugees may stay in the U.S.  their whole lives with an I 94their whole lives  with an I‐94, but the will miss out on benefits if they do not pursue a path to citizenshipa path to citizenship

‐ Substitute birth certificate

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After one year, refugees should apply for Legal Permanent Residence.

They should renew their “green card” every 10 years and remain crime free.

They can now petition for a y pspouse and/or unmarried children to join them in the U.S.The path to citizenship is expensive p p p

and time consuming

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After 5 years in the U.S. a refugee should apply for 

P li i f

y g pp ycitizenship.

Pay an application fee Pass the interview in 

EnglishEnglish Pass the citizenship test  Take the Oath Be of good moral 

character (no serious crimes)crimes)

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BURMA Karen, Karenni, Chin, Kachin, Arkanese, Shan Christian, Muslim, & Buddhist Total “population of concern”: 1,147,275 About 6000 in Omaha Say full name

Refugee Camp on the Thailand-Burma Border

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O 135 th i li iOver 135 ethnic groups live in Burma. They are divided into eight major categories.

107 languages are spoken in BBurma.

World’s longest running civil warWorld s longest running civil war (since 1949)

The situation in Burma is considered the worst human rights issue ever in the worldrights issue ever in the world.

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Burned VillageTypical camp classroom

Child with Refugees fleeing through junglegunshot wounds

g g g j g

Landmine victim

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BHUTAN Over 100,000 Bhutanese of Nepali descent were expelled from Bhutan in the early 1990s  “One Nation” PolicyC t t Caste system

Approximately 1500 in Omaha

Bhutanese family in refugee camp in Nepal

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There are many ethnic groups in Bhutan and no one group is the majority. The government refuses to release exact numbers.

Many languages are spoken in Bhutan. The government refuses to release exactly how many. There are at least 12 known languages

k i Bh tspoken in Bhutan.

Beginning in 1988 the Bhutanese governmentBeginning in 1988 the Bhutanese government refused to allow other languages to be spoken, religions to be followed, or cultures to be represented than what was official.

Genocide tactics were used to scare the people in the south to follow the culture of the northnorth.

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Food ration chart from camp Typical classroom

Typical kitchen/eating area

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SUDAN and SOUTH SUDAN(South Sudan gained independence in July, 2011)

Conflict over resources and religion

Total “population of concern”: 2,898,246

Estimated number in Omaha: 10,000‐15,000

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Sudan has more than 597 ethnicities. They can be split into two major categories: Arab or Nilote.

More than 400 languages are spoken.

Britain colonized Sudan until 1956.

From 1956 – 2004 civil war dominated the country.

The government continues to terrorize and use genocide tactics against the Darfur region.

Southern Sudan officially voted to become its own nation in January 2011 Theyits own nation in January 2011. They became their own country in July 2011.

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Sudanese refugees fleeing homeland

Darfurirefugee camp

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SOMALIA Somali & Somali‐Bantu(Somali‐Bantus brought as slaves; continue to be discriminated against) Without a central government since 1991 Without a central government since 1991 Famine Polygamous; women inadequately protected Total “population of concern”: 1,365,183 Estimate in Omaha: 1600‐2000

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There are four “major” cultures in S li th t th tSomalia that the government recognizes. The rest are lumped together as the “.5”s.

Civil war in Somalia started in 1991 and they have been without a functioning government ever since. They are the only country in the world without a recognized government.

Violence has spread to theViolence has spread to the refugee camps, so people are not even safe in the camps. This is especially true if you are not oneespecially true if you are not one of the four major ethnic groups.

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Typical classroom

Somali Refugee Camps

Ration line; woman with bag of rice

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Typical classroom situation in a refugee campTypical classroom situation in a refugee camp Often taught outside 1 teacher to 50‐100 students common Teachers are volunteers Teachers are volunteers IF there are books, students share them Walk a far distance Rote memorization Education is a luxury

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Different cultural groups place different levels of importance d ion education

Parents may be illiterate in ANY language; very common for parents not to read English (places power with the child)

h l d l l Parents are very overwhelmed: new culture, new language, new laws

May be working “full‐time” for the first time; often 3rd shift or d d b k f d h kdad may be working out of town during the week

What is considered accepted discipline in their culture might not fly here; confusion regarding what they are allowed to do may lead to not disciplining at all

May be dealing with the loss of loved ones and/or mental health issues: PTSD, depression, etc. (same goes for the student)

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Cultural differences can be very distracting for a refugee.  W A i b d i thi th t id d dWe, as Americans, may be doing things that are considered very rude 

in the student’s culture

• Wearing shoes indoors• Wearing shoes indoors• Pointing feet at someone• Touching someone’s head• Walking in front of a seated person• Walking in front of a seated person• Making eye contact• Handing things to someone with the left hand or without touching left hand to right elbowtouching left hand to right elbow

Imagine if you are in a room full of people doing something considered very rude in American culture – how hard would it beconsidered very rude in American culture  how hard would it be 

for you to pay attention to what is being taught?

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Body language varies greatly culture to culture.  

There are also gender role differences.  Certain male/female interaction may be 

strange for some refugees.  

Things we take for granted may be brand new for a newly arrived refugee.  Scissors, crayons, cafeterias…Restroom use is the best 

example of this.  Please take the time to show EACH refugee student the bathroom, how to use it, and how to ask to go.  

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Location: 3260 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE, 68131 Location: 3260 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE, 68131

Class time: 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30

Days open:We follow the OPS Elementary calendar Days open: We follow the OPS Elementary calendar

Registration: Daily

Att d A d il tt d 200 Attendance: Average daily attendance= 200

Funding: Funded through the OPS Migrant program

and a State Refugee Grant

Contact: Coordinator Veronica Hill at:

402-898-9145 ext 1012 or veronica.hill@ops.org

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English ClassesEnglish ClassesComputer ClassComputer LabCo pute abSewing ClassDriving ClassgKnitting CircleCommunity GardenyCitizenship ClassSaturday SchoolyLeadership Academy

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Social Worker on site Coordination with Resettlement Agencies

• (LFS and SSCA) Health Seminars Health Seminars Parenting Seminars Family Room New Arrival Support Coordination with OPS schools and programs Saturday School Saturday School Refugee Leadership Academy Coordination with GED programs, job training, and

higher education institutions

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New students can register anytime between :New students can register anytime between :9:00am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday

Classes are FREE and open to ANYONE

You do not need ID documents to enroll

• (we will make you a student ID badge)

Come in the main entrance and ask for VERONICACo e t e a e t a ce a d as o V ON C

Take a quick English test to determine your level

You can start the same day! You can start the same day!

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Karen Arabic

Burmese

N li

French

S liNepali

Dzongkha

Somali

KiswahiliDzongkha

Spanish

Kiswahili

Maay MaaySpanish Maay Maay

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Mexico Puerto Rico Benin Vietnam

Guatemala

El Salvador

Haiti

Somalia

Togo

Ethiopia

Nepal

India

Honduras

Nicaragua

Southern Sudan

Kenya

p

Burundi China

JapanSudanNicaragua

Peru

Cuba

Kenya

Uganda

Nigeria Bhutan

Japan

Iraq

Egypt

Sudan

Ghana

Cuba Nigeria

Argentina

Chil

Congo

Th D ti R bli

Bhutan

Burma

Th il d

Egypt

Canada

Chile The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thailand

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R f L d hi A dRefugee Leadership Academy

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“Refugees are not statistics They are menRefugees are not statistics. They are men,women and children. They are families. They have

unused or undeveloped skills, unfulfilled aspirations,p pfrustrated needs. In their present circumstances,they are a needless loss to the rest of humanity, ad h h fdrain, rather than a creative force in our society.

Their potential lies untapped.”

‐ Edward B. Marks, lifelong advocate for refugees