ISSN 1710-6931 May 30, 2008 Issue 126
FEATURE ARTICLES

Advice For Non-refugee Student Pen pals

by Marc Schaeffer
International Coordinator
RESPECT International

I received the following letter at the end of April 2008 with a package of letters from refugee students in N'Zerekore, Guinea. It was written by Pastor Seth Kumi the contact person for the Pentecostal International School. Pastor Kumi has important advice about including the full name of refugee pen pals in letters.

The letter is dated December 7, 2007, and is an example of the length of time it can take for mail, to and from refugees, to reach its destination.

Dear Contact Person,

I am Pastor Seth Kumi the contact person for [Pentecostal International School] in N'Zerekore, Guinea. Advice

Letter Exchange: A Practicum Student's Experience

by Suzanne St. Yves

My name is Suzanne St. Yves and I am taking an amazing university course, entitled Creative Tools for Social Change, as part of my undergraduate degree at Menno Simmons College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

I had to select a social justice organization with which to do a 16-hour practicum to fulfill the course requirements and I chose RESPECT International. Next year, I hope to travel to Northern Uganda as part of a longer practicum to assist another peace and justice organization. This shorter practicum is helping me to prepare for that one. Letter Exchange

Internet Access at Mohomou Refugee School

by Luba Salam

Alex KA Adjei, born to a tribe called Kru in Liberia, is now director of Respect Vocational School and coordinator for RESPECT International in Guinea N'Zrekore Forest Region.

He was doing his third year of university study when war broke out in his country. The war took away his parents, siblings and other relatives. Even after his supreme loss he moved on, migrating to Boussou, Guinea. There he helped to set up a refugee school and has since been actively involved in refugee children education. Internet Access

AFFILIATES

RESPECT University Opens Doors For Refugees

by Lindsay Bayham

Last summer, as a volunteer for RESPECT Ghana in the Buduburam Refugee Camp, I taught Creative Writing and Peace Education at a local primary school. Although I was working mostly with children, I developed an interest in issues beyond those of just primary education.

After participating in meetings of the RESPECT Intellectual Club (RIC), I became interested in the post-secondary educational opportunities that were available to refugees, particularly those in protracted refugee situations.

RIC is a group of young men and women (approximately aged 15 to 26) who meet to discuss current issues and development on the camp. For those who have difficulty attending university, RIC offers young adults an opportunity to use their intelligence and creativity, both in discussions and through community projects.

During my stay, for example, RIC members participated in the One World Africa Youth Summit, where they planned a community resource center which is now under construction at the camp.

RIC's mission sparked my interest in university education. How could young adult refugees access post-secondary education, I wondered? Where could they get the knowledge and skills needed for an increasing number of jobs? RESPECT University

As in any newsletter or magazine, RESPECT e-zine is committed to striving for interesting articles and announcements concerning refugee issues all around the world.

If you have any suggestions or would like to contribute an article, contact the e-Zine editor, Angela Carter, at editor@respectrefugees.org.

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