Comments for Refugee Outreach

Comment on The Recyclery: Interested Volunteers? by Daniel Amick

Daniel Amick — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:47:10 +0000

We should solicit a few refugee community members to participate also. Many already know something about bicycle mechanics and they would benefit from the experience and be able to share it within their community. I think that might help increase the level of sustainability required for this great initiative. I would be glad to work with you in helping this aspect of community development.

Comment on Our Visit by Daniel Amick

Daniel Amick — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:42:48 +0000

I can’t believe how often visitors get a homecooked meal during these visits! It is a gesture that we could learn to emulate as a way of making visitors feel welcome to our homes.

Let us know what you learn about Christmas light displays or other holiday perks for possible cultural outings.

Comment on Progress by Daniel Amick

Daniel Amick — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:37:19 +0000

Yes, it does sound like progress even if you have to learn to crawl before you can walk. The idea of using things like flash cards is a great one. Many of the kinds of learning aids we use in America may be unfamiliar to our newcomers. Furthermore, the kind of rote memorization and recitation some of these tools use are more in line with the kinds of pedagogy used in resource-poor schools of developing countries.

Comment on baby names by Margaret Paulson

Margaret Paulson — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:41:31 +0000

you’re naming the baby?!

Comment on Treated Like Prodigals by Sarah Masri

Sarah Masri — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:44:49 +0000

I definitely want to try playing scrabble with my family sometime after reading this; it sounds like a great way to learn spelling.

Thanks!

Comment on by Daniel Amick

Daniel Amick — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:31:20 +0000

I hope you mean boiled water and not boiling water

Comment on High School Chaos by Thanh Ngo

Thanh Ngo — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:51:03 +0000

Oh my! No kidding, you must have been a great help! I remember taking my family for their flu shots. It was so hectic i was beginning to get confused with all the yelling going on. I could not imagine my family going by themselves. And what you stated is true, much courage and determination they have, and what a great friend too!

Comment on Religion by Daniel Amick

Daniel Amick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:40:13 +0000

I had a similar conversation with the muslim family I visit. It happened early on in our relationship and I was a bit hesitant to say much because I am kind of private about my religious philosphies and worried they would be confused or worse. Instead, they have been far more open-minded about discussion of religious diversity than most Americans are. Perhaps another good lesson for us to learn from our newcomers…

Comment on The Spanish Channel? by Daniel Amick

Daniel Amick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:34:31 +0000

Oh there are some great African salsa and mambo bands from Congo and Senegal — some of my favorite music — usually sung in Spanish. Those strong connections were increased during the exportation of many Cuban revolutionaries and mercenaries to Africa during the 60s and 70s. It also reflects the shared musical heritage of Latin America and West Africa.

Comment on High School Chaos by Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:21:37 +0000

wow, this is a really crazy story! this is so great that you are able to help the girls out so much. I am not having any experiences like this, so its really interesting to hear the kind of small things that are a huge deal for a refugee family to handle and how we as students can be the key to helping them out, even if it does cause us stress along the way. looking at the end result, and how much you have helped these girls, i hope your stress can fade a little!