A Lesson for Us and Progress

Day 21

While unpacking linens that were donated for the family, some napkins were uncovered in the box.  The women in the family were very excited, certainly more excited than we would expect, to see the decorative cloth dinner napkins.  Has it been so long since they’ve had a fine napkin to set on their lap or to wipe their hands?

They quickly started looking for the nicest ones.  Each woman selected her favorite and promptly put her choice on her head.  They also found one for the head of the youngest child.  Oh, now we get the cultural lesson.  The cloth napkins were just the right size for headcovering and much more glamorous than what had been available in a refugee camp.

One of the children had their first medical appointment today.  I won’t go into details because medical information must be kept private.  Let’s just say that it was a difficult process.  The clinic has access to a language line and was able to get a Burmese interpreter.  The mom speaks the Karenni language, not much Burmese.  In the future we’ll have to have the father along to speak to the language line.

After that the entire family went to the public health department for their required TB tests.

And then, a miracle happened.  The telephone was installed today.  I call this a miracle because getting telephone service is often a problem.  What helped simplify the telephone application process this year was that we had a social security number by the time the family moved into the house.  That meant that we didn’t have to jump through some of the usual hoops.

By the end of the day they the telephone number was assigned and the telephone line was working.  This is a great step forward.  It means that if there are any serious issues we can get them on the phone with an interpreter to help move communication forward.  Things are moving forward nicely.

2 Responses to “A Lesson for Us and Progress”

  1. Kelly Haack says:

    I am enjoying reading your updates on the resettlement of the Karenni family. Tonight a Karenni family arrives in my community through Lutheran Refugee Services. Our church is sponsoring the family and I will be a mentor to them. this is the first time I have done something like this so I am both apprehensive and excited. I am especially concerned about their ablitiy to adapt to a modern culture. the family consists of two women and the two young children of one of the women. The women have had no formal education and no work experience. they lived in the refugee camp for 13 years. I will continue to read your updates to learn as much as I can about the resettlement process.

    Kelly Haack

  2. Jeffrey Kirk says:

    Hi Kelly, that’s awesome that you’re going to be helping out! Overall the Burmese refugees as a whole, including Karen and Karenni, have adapted quite well in our area. Generally I think that refugees who make the step to resettle are flexible and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Persons with no education and no work experience can be more of challenge, but there are low-end jobs that don’t take much training or skill. Even when individuals have work experience we’re usually not able to put them in a related field simply because the experience doesn’t apply well, especially not in comparison to someone who has worked in the U.S. and speaks English.

    We have a Goodwill store in our area that has accepted some refugees as clothing sorters for initial jobs. When it comes to employment the strongest thing going for the refugees will be your ability to advocate on their behalf.

    Best wishes to you and the team at your church!

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