Hey everyone! What’s new out here? I am FINALLY volunteering with the International Rescue Committee. I’ve mentioned this tons of times. I’ve been in touch with the IRC since before we even moved to Arizona. I went to an orientation with them in August 2007! At that time there was a long waiting list. Then when I followed up I had somehow been skipped on the list. Then I was leaving to Africa, and when I came back I started my second job. (I don’t think I mentioned that I quit the 2nd job, did I? I needed a break for school, wedding planning, and there are just other things I want to do, like volunteering). I contacted the coordinator back in September to see where they were with placing volunteers. Once again there was a waiting list so she said maybe in December. Well the other day it just happened to cross my mind again so I emailed her and sure enough, she was matching the last of her families for this year that weekend (last weekend). It was short notice but I didn’t have anything going on that Saturday so I was matched!
Quick refresher, my title is “American Friend.” I was matched with a family who I will help adjust to life in America in whatever way they need. Learning English, socializing, shopping, cleaning the house, etc. Basically just being there for them as needed. So I meet with them weekly and kind of go over different things with them and build a relationship.
Saturday the volunteer coordinator and I went to the family’s apartment to meet them. My family is from Iraq and it is just Mom, Dad, and a 20 year old daughter, who thankfully is fluent in English. Unfortunately the parents were not home when I was there but I got to meet the daughter who is the sweetest person. I knew that she knew English but I didn’t expect her to be so good at it either. She’s very talkative, warm, and so open and friendly. Her nickname is Sun because she just has that warm, sunny personality. That day the coordinator just went over my role with Sun, basically what I can and can’t help with them—financial and job questions need to go to their case managers. It was also decided that my focus will be primarily on Mom. She does not know English and is hesitant about trying it because she’s worried she will sound stupid and people will laugh at her. As is typical in the Muslim culture she tends to take a back seat to her husband and so they want me to help empower her. Work on English, getting her out of the house, learning to do some things for herself so she doesn’t feel so isolated and becomes more confident here. So I will spend a few hours (minimum) with them a week. I’m going back tonight and this time I will be on my own and will be meeting the parents. So I’m still a little nervous, although after meeting Sun that calmed a lot of my nerves. She can help to translate and you can’t help but feel easy around her. Tonight I’m thinking we will work on getting to know each other a bit and maybe start on some English by labeling things in the house. I know mom’s confidence is low when it comes to speaking English so I’m hoping if she can practice on household items, in her own home she will be more open to it and feel more comfortable with it. We’ll see! Some other examples/ideas the coordinator gave me is helping them learn the area around their house (which I first need to learn!) or cutting out coupons in the paper. Which Sun mentioned “we’ve seen these but we don’t know how to use them.” So simple things like this that we all take for granted but would be great to learn for people new to the area and on a budget. Someday Sun will get a job which will leave Mom more on her own which is where I can help too.
I’m thinking you might be having some of the typical questions, which I don’t have all the answers to yet. Such as, why are they here? As we all know, the situation in Iraq is not stable. It’s dangerous to the innocent people and not safe to be there right now. Which brings up a quick point to make--- the difference between refugees and immigrants. Immigrants willingly leave their country to move somewhere else. Refugees are basically forced to leave their homes because the conditions are not good to live in. Some of them end up fleeing to other countries and/or refugee camps. The people being placed from refugee camps into other countries go through quite a process. It’s not like the people are just picked up one day and dropped off in Phoenix. They apply, they have background checks, etc.
There are other organizations like the IRC and they all have similar processes. Once the people are brought over they are provided with housing, furniture, basic needs, and monthly money to help them settle in. With the IRC that lasts for 6 months, I’m not sure what it is for other places. The refugees have to pay back the expenses it takes to travel to the U.S. I can’t remember if they have to pay back everything from their first 6 months though…But they have to be working and supporting themselves within 6 months. They also have case managers to help with them finding jobs, etc. They have a very high success rate of refugees paying back the money and keeping up their end of the bargain. The people are gracious for the help and the opportunities and very willing to do their part.
The IRC has branches all over the U.S. where people are relocated to, and all over the world too. Phoenix just happens to be one place. So what happens once they are here? Often the goal is for refugees to be able to return to their homeland once it is stable, this doesn’t always happen, and it often takes years and years for a place to be stable again. I don’t know the exact numbers but after a certain amount of time they can start the process of becoming a citizen if that is what they choose. That should answer a lot of the questions that come up I think!
Saturday when I pulled into their apartment complex it was the most lively place I’ve seen in a long time, and it reminded me of the townships in South Africa. There are a few different complexes where many refugees are placed, so mos of the people at this complex are refugees. The people are all out talking to their neighbors and the kids are playing outside together. Very un-American! Lively is the best word I can think of. It was a nice feeling. And when I got to the apartment door you could hear Sun inside blasting Arabic music and vacuuming. Several neighbors stopped by while I was there.
I’ve wanted to do this for so long so I’m very excited it’s finally happened and I’m anxious to see where this goes. For me it will satisfy that international bug I have, while staying right here in Phoenix. I think my long term international traveling days are over for a bit but this feels just as good to me. I get to help people, but I also get to help a population I care about a lot and am very interested in, I get to raise awareness about the organization, the people, and the situations going on, which is one of my favorite things to do, and why I talk so much about the volunteering. I’d love for everyone else to try something, whatever it is that speaks to them. You know I always talk about a career change so volunteering has become my way of seeing what I’m interested in, and if I never change careers it gives me the fill I need that I don’t always feel for my own job. For me volunteering is almost selfish, haha. Of course it’s helping someone else which I like, but I like the good feeling I get, the people I meet, and the experiences. Anyway, I’ll let you know how this goes!! Wish me luck!!
