Oops-she won the award ! Well, you deserve one, too.
Does your org. have anyone working on this in N. America, helping immigrants assimilate? They are truly overwhelmed by the social services network here. Language/cultural barriers abound. Plus, the Congolese crisis is eclipsed in the public consciousness by the Darfur genocide.
Congratulations on your well-deserved award. The story I told in 'pidgin English' is one of many I deal with as a French interpreter, obviously on this side of the pond. This one is ongoing; have worked on it for 8 months.
Also assist at births of Congolese women, baffled by the system here.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I would love to help. Will send you my e-mail in a private msg. if you have any ideas.
Now lives hermetically. Files all documentation re: his case, with complete honesty and long before his deadline, to DHS in Chicago, w/help of an interpreter (me) and a pro-bono attorney. We 3 intended an interview at a DHS office in Chicago. Were told by rude officer that an asylum decision would be made within a week. End of week: 'Sorry. Need more time.' 3 months ago. Wife / kids at a camp in an African country. No idea about decision, fate of anyone. He is in absolute despair.
Quick story for you: peacefu father of 5 is emlyed as youth leader of a major (peaceful) oppositions party. Gets to know a gov't official through a mutual frind from Kinshasa. Gov't official later kills aunt of Kabila. Innocent man located, tortured, interrogated...cousin 'pays his way out' thrugh a bribe with another gov't official. Flees through 2 other African countries with a false passport; eventually ends up in Atlanta, then in my town. (cont'd)
and that's putting it mildly, while awaiting the Department of Homeland Security's decision on their fates. It's another form of torture that they face with their families. Most have children, some infants. (cont'd)
Thank you so much for your work! You can see how many people care about the Congolese here...I am not diminishing Darfur's crisis, but the Congolese tragedy is dwarfed by it, even though betwwen 4 and five million have died in the DRC compared with 200,000 in Darfur. I now help Congolese who have bee lucky enough to escape the horror. Many lead difficult lives (cont'd),
Please pardon all of the typos! Typed quickly. 'employed', 'opposition', 'peaceful', etc. Hope you were able to understand the story !
meredumais 4 years ago
Oops-she won the award ! Well, you deserve one, too.
Does your org. have anyone working on this in N. America, helping immigrants assimilate? They are truly overwhelmed by the social services network here. Language/cultural barriers abound. Plus, the Congolese crisis is eclipsed in the public consciousness by the Darfur genocide.
Thanks again,
Jen
meredumais 4 years ago
Congratulations on your well-deserved award. The story I told in 'pidgin English' is one of many I deal with as a French interpreter, obviously on this side of the pond. This one is ongoing; have worked on it for 8 months.
Also assist at births of Congolese women, baffled by the system here.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I would love to help. Will send you my e-mail in a private msg. if you have any ideas.
Peace,
Jen
meredumais 4 years ago
Now lives hermetically. Files all documentation re: his case, with complete honesty and long before his deadline, to DHS in Chicago, w/help of an interpreter (me) and a pro-bono attorney. We 3 intended an interview at a DHS office in Chicago. Were told by rude officer that an asylum decision would be made within a week. End of week: 'Sorry. Need more time.' 3 months ago. Wife / kids at a camp in an African country. No idea about decision, fate of anyone. He is in absolute despair.
meredumais 4 years ago
Quick story for you: peacefu father of 5 is emlyed as youth leader of a major (peaceful) oppositions party. Gets to know a gov't official through a mutual frind from Kinshasa. Gov't official later kills aunt of Kabila. Innocent man located, tortured, interrogated...cousin 'pays his way out' thrugh a bribe with another gov't official. Flees through 2 other African countries with a false passport; eventually ends up in Atlanta, then in my town. (cont'd)
meredumais 4 years ago
and that's putting it mildly, while awaiting the Department of Homeland Security's decision on their fates. It's another form of torture that they face with their families. Most have children, some infants. (cont'd)
meredumais 4 years ago
Thank you so much for your work! You can see how many people care about the Congolese here...I am not diminishing Darfur's crisis, but the Congolese tragedy is dwarfed by it, even though betwwen 4 and five million have died in the DRC compared with 200,000 in Darfur. I now help Congolese who have bee lucky enough to escape the horror. Many lead difficult lives (cont'd),
meredumais 4 years ago