RESPECT EZINE Issue 5

June 2, 2003

Issue 5

An Afghanistan Refugee Story

My name is Hafza. It is 1998 and I am living in Islamabad where we arrived in 1992 after three weeks of travelling from Kabul in Afghanistan. My father was a civil engineer who worked for a German company before the Russians changed my life forever. We had a beautiful house, servants; we spent our summer vacations in Germany or France. Mummy used to go to parties and Daddy knew many people, now they are both dead and I am living with relatives in a small house.

Everyone told my father that things were getting out of hand and he should leave Kabul; with his connections he could easily live in Europe and get any job that he wanted. He replied that if he had wanted to settle in Europe he would have stayed in Germany as he had graduated from Munich University. He thought that since he had a technical education and was foreign educated the Russians would let him stay. They did let him stay; both he and my mother were killed in a mortar attack. I was an only child, thirteen years old, when the Russians attacked in 1991. <<more>>

Not a Passing Impact

Rachel MacDonald writes about how the untimely death of Kilama Geoffrey Oyik in Uganda has left a mark on the lives of Whitmore Park United Church in Regina.

"At Whitmore Park United Church in Regina, Canada, we are thankful that we have been able to take part in this wonderful programme, RESPECT. Our students, teachers and congregation have really benefitted through our participation. Fourteen of our Sunday School students have exchanged one set of letters with fourteen students in Agoro Refugee Settlement, Uganda, and we have done several things to learn about refugees, refugee life, and Uganda. As our minister said recently, sending these letters is about sending love across the world, and sharing our lives with people far away. Our faith calls us to love our neighbours, and we have found out sometimes this can be painful.

In previous e-zines, you have read of the recent, tragic death of Kilama Geoffrey Oyik, from Agoro Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Our group was heartbroken to read of this, most especially because we realized he was one of our pen pals. His life touched ours, and we grieve with you, his friends and family, for such a kind person, to die by such violence. There is no need for this in this world. And we will keep working to make things better. <<more>>

Here is a collection of some of the new RESPECT country logos.

Did you know?

A refugee has the right to safe asylum. However, international protection comprises more than physical safety. Refugees should receive at least the same rights and basic help as any other foreigner who is a legal resident, including freedom of thought, of movement and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. Economic and social rights are equally applicable. Refugees should have access to medical care, schooling and the right to work. Source: UNHCR

Winnipeg Refugee Education Network (WREN), the parent organization of RESPECT, has volunteered to act as Country Coordinator for RESPECT Canada. RESPECT International is very pleased to have such a dynamic and dedicated organization as WREN acting on behalf of RESPECT in Canada.

All persons interested in getting involved with RESPECT Canada, please contact Robyn Mossman: wren@winnipegrefugee.org

Please check out WREN's website for more information about this organization: www.winnipegrefugee.org

The RESPECT website has been updated! Come explore the new features such as the Forum, University, Ezine, E-cards, and the Refugee Schools. The features are making the website more and more an resouce entrepot for the RESPECT community. <<website>>

As in any newsletter or magazine, RESPECT ezine is committed to striving for interesting articles and annoucements concerning refugee issues all around the world. If you have any suggestions or would like to contribute an article, contact the ezine editor, Joey Comeau at respectezine@respectrefugees.org

The Winnipeg Refugee Education Network (WREN) is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of issues affecting refugees.

WREN provides ongoing support for refugees in Winnipeg and works in partnership with other groups to raise awareness and assist with refugee sponsorship. <<WREN>>.