After a long and harrowing journey from horrific camps, Bhutanese refugees have found a haven in Houston through Sewa International.
An article on life as a Bhutanese refugee written by Lok Nath Bastola, which appeared on Sewa’s Web site, estimated that 100,000 Bhutanese were exiled to Nepalese refugee camps by their own government.
Bastola said life in these camps ‘is really miserable and monotonous’ because of numerous problems, including rampant rape and robberies. To make matters worse, the refugees had no electricity, no clean water, no communication with the outside world and minimal food, Bastrola said.
Those who fell ill were forced to rely on untrained health workers who sometimes provided improper treatment.
‘They’ve been living in refugee camps. They’ve had limited access to health care, education, and just coming to America and having to find jobs. If you’ve never had to work, it’s different to have to need to work,’ Sewa International public relations intern Melissa Ramdass said. ‘We help them with computer skills, resumes and job interview etiquette.’
Refugees attend English and computer classes to study grammar and spelling as well as how to make resumes.
Ramdass said Sewa International helps younger refugees by coordinating art activity days. The organization is also starting a buddy program that will match refugees with high school students, according to common interests.
‘We’re’ always looking for more volunteers, especially youth. We’re looking for high school students to mentor the Bhutanese high school students,’ Ramdass said.
Ramdass said Sewa International coordinates several activities to help female refugees support each other, such as a women’s knitting circle.
‘It’s part of their culture. They’re very good. I think the first week, they made three hats and a scarf,’ Ramdass said. ‘They had four skeins of yarn and they made beautiful pieces.’
The initial results of the knitting circle were discouraging. Some of the women were afraid to be alone with volunteers or other refugees without a man present.
‘They wouldn’t even be alone with the volunteers, but now they have trust, and that’s amazing,’ Ramdass said.
