Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Angry and Helpless
Thats how I'm feeling today. My friend Julie posted this article in the comments of my last post. It is about the African family living across the street who we are trying to help find a house for. After reading this article I feel so angry at the situation this and many other refugee families are in. We go over and "rescue" them in their home countries, just to bring them here and abandon them. When they asked us for help finding a house I thought, isn't there a system for this? Don't they have a case worker who helps them with these things? Well, we found out that they do have a case worker. We have called her many times, but have never been able to get a hold of her. This family is on their own. We are trying to help them, but its hard to find a house for rent, with 5 bedrooms, in a walkable community, and who is owned by someone who wouldn't mind a refugee family of 9 living there. We are still looking though, and will see it through until they have secured a place to live. I'm embarrassed that we haven't done more to help this family. We took them dinner once. Once in the year that they have lived there! Jacob fixes their bike tires, I have given one of the boys a ride to school a few times when he missed his bus. That's it. That is the sum of the service and help we have offered this family in the past year. I don't know what the solution is. I know that I can do more personally - but what needs to change is the government systems we have already in place for them. They need assistance for at least 2 years after they are brought here. They need to be taught English. The kids are speaking English quite well, but the mother knows almost no English. I feel so sad and helpless and at as loss as to what to do. Maybe I need to go to school and get a job in social work. But what do I do right now, for this beautiful family? They need much more help that I am capable of giving them, and it breaks my heart.
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8 comments:
Wow Mush. That breaks my heart too. I honestly don't know what to tell you, except that I admire your willingness to help these people. You have such a big heart Mush.
I'm sorry you feel helpless but you are helping them. You just need to do what you can do. They are lucky to have you. The system is frustrating though. Let me know what I can do. I will keep my eyes out.
How about the Jarrard's old house. Is that taken?
Oh wait downtown, sorry.
that would be so cute if they lived in the jarrards old house. They would love my mom and dad. It doesn't necessarily have to be downtown - just in salt lake county and in a walkable community. Which, in sojo they can walk to schools, church, grocery store and buses - so maybe that could work.
I hate it how the government will just leave some people hanging. Like you said they brought them here and they need to step-up. Especially in regards to the case worker. And I'm sure you have helped out a lot more than other people have. Don't beat yourself up. You are doing a good deed by helping them look for a house. Most people wouldn't do that.
You are very kind and I know the family appreciates it. I love that they come to you and ask for things like a bandaide. I think you are doing more than you realize. :)
Wow, it really is them. I thought it was strange when I opened the newspaper and this story was on the cover (just after I read your post). I'm glad that the news is writing about this.
That's really neat that they are from Burundi. I learned a little about their culture and the genocide that happened a while back. Things here are so much better then there, but there is a trade off. It's very hard for refugees, especially if they don't speak english. The Burundi student's that were here were involved in a film project through spyhop and the salt lake city film center. http://www.burundifilmcenter.org/
It was interesting to see into their world. I think that's so neat that you want to help them so much. It so nice to see some diversity to know life outside of our own. Making others aware of it, is just as important. Thanks for doing that.
Maybe you could have a boutique or yard sale and have the proceeds go to help them pay their $8,615.56 bill and take them to a bees game. I've seen it done before and alot of people would be willing to pitch in and help. Just a thought. One thing with the economy going bad, is that we can't forget those who are poor now. They are the worse affected. I'd be willing to help you if you do anything like that. You're so talented. Also Especially with the news coverage, it might make a big impact.
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