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Bhutanese Refugees leaving Nepal. Source: Correspondent Adelaide Chen
Facing a world map, most Americans would not be able to point to the Himalayan country of Bhutan. But thousands of Nepali-speaking refugees from this Buddhist-majority nation are arriving on North American soil, and soon will be part of the rich cultural fabric of U.S. society.
On this edition, correspondent Adelaide Chen brings us sounds from the journey of these new arrivals. From saying goodbye to the refugee camps, to settling into Oakland, California, their story of starting a new life is full of hard times, especially in this economy.
Featuring:
Ananta Gurung, Bhutanese American Community Center director; Don Climent, International Rescue Committee director; Tul Bahadur Tiwari, father and Bhutanese refugee; Gopal, Tiwari’s brother; Rianawati Rianawati, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Damak Office director; Padam Kumar Ghimirey, cultural orientation class participant; Januka Upreti, grandmother; Peter Newbegin, International Rescue Committee staff member; Damanta Kharel, Bhutanese refugee who went from graduate studies to serving fast food; Binod Gurung, Bhutanese refugee; Sushila, Gurung’s sister; Ann Strandoo, International Organization for Migration cultural orientation coordinator; Deepak Gurung, waiter and Bhutanese refugee; Bir Thapa, President of the Bhutanese American cultural center and taxi
driver; Phurba Tshering Tamang, Bhutanese refugee.
For more information:
Bhutanese American Community Center (BACC)
PO Box 3120
Alameda, CA 94501
Catholic Charities USA – Refugee Resettlement
International Organization for Migration
International Rescue Committee (San Francisco office)
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
U.S. Dept of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Additional information:
Amnesty International – Bhutan report
Banki, Susan. (2008). Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal: Anticipating the Impact of Resettlement. Australian Research Council Linkage Research Project.
Bhutanese Refugee Support Group
Bhutanese Refugees: The Story of a Forgotten People.
This Web site is a product of the Bhutanese Refugee Children’s Forum (BRCF).
Cultural Orientation Resource Center
Doria Bramante’s Blog : Documentary filmmaker who traveled to the refugee camps
IRC’s Misha Cohen blog : About a refugee family’s adjustment to New York City
Tags: immigration, refugees
Hi Radioproject.org thank you for sharing our story. I am one of that group who stayed in Refugee camp for 17 years and came Kentucky USA in january 2009 and now working hard to sharing the story from Different story in Nepal and in Bhutan through a National Radio station in Nepal we can hear that station in usa in http://www.unn.com.np I am working as a correspondent in this radio station since 8 years. if this Radio station of any radio station give me opportunity I will be glad to work to share more informative documentary and other news please. Please feel free to ask me if u have any question or email or call me in 8592702985 please
Devi