World Refugee Day

June 20th is World Refugee Day. Refugees are probably the strongest, most resilient people in the world. While I was in Liberia, I met a woman who fled on foot from Liberia to the Ivory Coast. She had many children, some of the very young, and it took them months to complete this journey. She was terrified all the time, not only for the family's survival, but also about keeping her sons from being kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers. After spending years in the Ivory Coast, they recently returned to Liberia, to their same home, in fact. Her sons are attending school, and life is getting back to normal for them.

Many refugees spend years and sometimes decades, living in foreign countries, separated from their families, with no possessions, and no knowledge of when or if they will ever be able to resume their normal lives again. Those that obtain refugee status in places like the United States leave behind everything and everyone they know. Refugees have three months of government assistance, after which, they must become completely self-sufficient. But refugees must also learn the most basic skills during this time - how to go to the grocery store, how to use public transportation, how to flush a toilet or use a stove, use a telephone, etc. Sometimes they have to learn the language on top of this, and get a job to support themselves. Most refugees have a huge responsibility to support their remaining relatives, and, while they are struggling to make ends meet for themselves, are constantly sending money back home. Refugees are truly amazing people. I don't think I'd have the strength or patience to overcome the tremendous obstacles they face every day.

To commemorate World Refugee Day, I attended an event at the National Geographic Society today. I was lucky enough to hear two refugees speak, both of whom have written excellent memoirs of their struggles as refugees.

Ishmael Beah, author of A Long Way Gone, was a child soldier in Sierra Leone. Today, he asked the audience to understand the culture of refugees, to ensure that people working with refugees know the time that it takes to adjust, that refugees know they shouldn't strip themselves of their culture; it is who they are, and it enriches American culture. He wanted refugees to know there is nothing shameful about being a refugee. Here's a link to his book on Amazon.com I highly recommend it: http://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Gone-Memoirs-Soldier/dp/0374105235/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-8626678-4775048?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182389476&sr=8-1

The other refugee speaker was John Bul Dau, a former Sudanese Lost Boy. The Lost Boys are called this because many of their parents were killed. Groups of thousands of young boys, from toddlers to teenagers traveled on foot from Sudan to Ethiopia, back through Sudan and to Kenya where they finally were able to live in a refugee camp. John Dau's book God Grew Tired Of Us describes his journey from the moment he fled his village as it was attacked, to his travels on foot, living in the refugee camp, and finally, his travel and struggles as he became a refugee in the United States. God Grew Tired of Us has also been made into a film. Here's the link to his book: http://www.amazon.com/God-Grew-Tired-Us-Memoir/dp/1426201141/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-8626678-4775048?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182389871&sr=1-1

Lastly, at this event Tony Bennett received the UNHCR Humanitarian of the Year award for his work in the Aid Darfur campaign. He gave a little talk and then performed a song on stage.

While he was the real celebrity at the event, the true heroes were Ishmael and John who survived atrocities and overcame incredible struggles. But not only this, they have excelled in the United States, and devoted their lives to increasing awareness and helping people back home.

Please take some time to read one of these books. The stories are amazing, and will give you a glimpse into the courageous lives of refugees.