It wasn’t long after the call was made seeking sponsorship for a
family of refugees from Burma , that a Welcome Team was assembled
consisting of members from First Congregational Church and Emmaus
Ecumenical Catholic Community, both of Oshkosh.
With
guidance from World Relief International, the team launched the mission
of setting up an appropriate apartment for the family of four who are
“coming to America”.
The volunteer team asked fellow
congregation members, friends, family and other groups who might have
something to donate, to assist with supplying items from the long list
of needs. Further assistance came on Saturday when 6 members of the
Oshkosh North Student Council arrived at the apartment to wash windows,
floors and woodwork.
The response from the community has
been uplifting to the workers. The home that is being created will be
uplifting to the new residents.
The family relocating to
Oshkosh has been living as refugees in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia since 2006
when they fled their homeland, Myanmar (formerly Burma) to escape
persecution by militaristic, authoritarian regimes. When they arrive in
America they will have undergone an extensive screening process by the
U.S. government to ensure that they pose no security or health risk, and
to confirm that their personal situation warrants relocation. They will
be legally eligible to apply for a Green Card and ultimately for U.S.
Citizenship.
The task of preparing the home will be
finished with just a little more organization and embellishment. The
family will be leaving Malaysia soon and the anticipation of their
arrival brings to mind the words of a favorite singer/songwriter: “
Far, we’ve been traveling far. Without a home, but not without a star.
Got a dream to take us there. We’re coming to America. Got a dream we
come to share. We’re coming to America.
We’re coming to America.
Source : http://www.thenorthwestern.com
No comments:
Post a Comment