A Refugee For 24 Hours

by Hope

May 11 and May 12, 2007, were life-changing days for 40 youth in Winnipeg who attended the annual 24-hour exile event. They were able to experience first-hand what it is like to be a refugee in a simulated refugee camp.

The youth were exiled from home and had to deal with the intense experiences that refugees go through within 24 hours.

There are millions of refugees around the world who have been forced to leave their homes for different reasons including armed conflict and natural disasters.

Many people do not understand what refugees go through but some groups of organisations which include the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (MIIC), Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), Manitoba Hydro, and RESPECT International, are trying to change that in Winnipeg through this annual, which was first held in 2002. Refugee

International Dinner Raises Funds for Computer Lab

by Annie S. Wesley

Students at the Peter Burrus Memorial Academy located at the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana do not have access to computers right now. However, this situation is going to change, thanks to the students of the Palo Community School, Palo, Michigan, USA, who helped to raise funds through an international dinner.

The inspiration behind the fund-raising and cultural event is Mrs. Judy Huynh, a teacher of the 6th and 7th grades at the Palo Community School which is attended by about 135 students.

Judy's initial knowledge of refugees came from her husband Han Huynh who is originally from Vietnam. Her awareness of other refugee situations around the world was through her contact with Marc Schaeffer, RESPECT International's coordinator. International Dinner