The Refugee Resettlement Program at Catholic Charities is a lifeline for persons fleeing oppression around the world. We have the wonderful opportunity of working alongside hundreds of refugees each year, watching families rebuild their lives as they start over in a new country. We would like to share the story of one family that arrived into our program last year as a small glimpse into the resiliency and hope that lies within the many refugee families we help.
Muse and his wife, Asil arrived with their three children into Rochester in 2006. Prior to their arrival, the family had been living in a refugee camp in Kenya, Africa. Muse and Asil have three older children who live in the United States, having fled here as asylees at an earlier date. These older children asked our agency to assist them in having their parents and siblings join them so that their family could be all together again in a safe country.
Muse and his family originally lived in the capital city of Somalia until 1991, when their family fled to escape persecution due to the country’s civil war. While Muse lived in Somalia, he was a professional in the accounting and management field and worked for several government organizations. Muse has excellent communication skills and speaks three languages, including: Arabic, Somali, and English. Because of these skills, Muse also worked as an interpreter in Somalia. The family values education and hard work, and they generously supported their community and country while they lived there.
Even in the midst of hardship and living in the refugee camp for fifteen years, Muse and his family were kind and compassionate to others. Muse volunteered to help others who had fewer resources and continued to stress education for his family and himself, both formally and in self-guided ways.
Since arriving in America, Muse and his family have been optimistic and hard working. They are dedicated to rebuilding their lives and helping other refugee arrivals and the larger community. Muse joined the agency’s Match Grant program, an intensive employment-based program immediately upon arriving. He applied for and had interviews at many places, and ended up accepting employment with the Rochester Schools three months after arriving. He obtained his driver’s license recently after practicing with a program volunteer to learn how to drive in America. Additionally, Muse has a large heart and wants to reach out to others. He volunteers in our program several hours each week to help other refugees move into and set up their households. Muse is always cheerful and optimistic, hopeful about what will happen next.
Muse’s family thrives under his quiet leadership. His wife was unable to speak English when she arrived. However, she attends adult learning classes every day, has a strong desire to learn the language well and will continue attending classes until this occurs. Muse’s three children are goal oriented and intelligent. His 22 year old son who came with the family moved to Wisconsin to live near friends who have offered to help him find a job. Muse’s 18 year old daughter attends the technical college in Rochester and is interested in the medical field. Her grades are very good and she feels fortunate for the opportunity to receive higher education. Muse’s youngest son attends high school. He started out in the Newcomers class, specially designed for students who speak English as a secondary language. However, within a few months he graduated out of that class and is now mainstreamed with other students. He is receiving A’s and B’s.
The resettlement program is committed to helping refugees like Muse and his family find creative, flexible ways to start over and find success. Every refugee has a unique story of suffering and survival, hopes for happiness and security, and strengths and skills to offer their new community. We invite everyone to join us in welcoming refugees to America…our country and theirs. |
