What is The Refugee Experience

Refugees Refugee: one outside his/her country, unable to return, due to well-founded fear of violence, injury, torture, death … …because of social group, race, religion, nationality, political opinion or environmental disaster 23 Million in Million in 2009 Half are Children

Escape “Night runs across borders unknown… From violence to shark-infested waters… …to arrival into unfamiliar lands”

What the Experts Say Leaving behind all familiar and knownLeaving behind all familiar and known Confused, frightened, overwhelmedConfused, frightened, overwhelmed Creates medical and psychological issuesCreates medical and psychological issues Fear of government and social agenciesFear of government and social agencies Little or no formal schoolingLittle or no formal schooling Language difficultiesLanguage difficulties NOTHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE since the “HOLOCAUST”NOTHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE since the “HOLOCAUST”

Survivors of Torture & Trauma ending up in “… dangerous, crowded camps of despair and hopelessness… with physical & psychological traumas of war, torture, disappearance or death of family members and friends…”

Syrian refugee boy at refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border March 25, 2012

Life in a Refugee Camp 4gtJTUhttps:// 4gtJTU

Coming to America Wanting A Safe, New Start In New Hampshire In 2005, approximately 72,000 foreign-born persons out of 1,309,940 total (18%)In 2005, approximately 72,000 foreign-born persons out of 1,309,940 total (18%) Over 5,000 refugees resettled since 1997Over 5,000 refugees resettled since 1997 Over 10 % of population refugees and immigrantsOver 10 % of population refugees and immigrants Over 64 different languages spokenOver 64 different languages spoken

Young People Believe in a Better Tomorrow

Why WITH OPEN MINDS Refugees & immigrants want to have American friendsRefugees & immigrants want to have American friends Isolated and separated not knowing American cultureIsolated and separated not knowing American culture Americans need to learn other cultures because our country is getting more diverseAmericans need to learn other cultures because our country is getting more diverse

What WITH OPEN MINDS Does Prevents acts of hate and violencePrevents acts of hate and violence Teaches positive methods of dealing with conflict, such as racism and religious persecutionTeaches positive methods of dealing with conflict, such as racism and religious persecution Facilitates meaningful, intercultural friendshipsFacilitates meaningful, intercultural friendships

How WITH OPEN MINDS does it Caring, Honest CommunicationCaring, Honest Communication Respect and Affirmation Respect and Affirmation Understanding through Connections Understanding through Connections Discovery through Fun Discovery through Fun Leaders as Role Models for Diversity Leaders as Role Models for Diversity Advocating Peace and Harmony Advocating Peace and Harmony

WITH OPEN MINDS Year-Round

WITH OPEN MINDS Prepares strong, compassionate leaders, comfortable in a multicultural society who respect and honor diversity.

Changing the world in NH Over 45 countries have been represented