The Refugee The Refugee ExperienceExperience

Marilyn Fellows KelloggMarilyn Fellows Kellogg Revised 10/01/2007Revised 10/01/2007

RefugeesRefugees

Manchester, NH• Over 72 different languages spoken Over 72 different languages spoken • Over 10 % of population refugees and Over 10 % of population refugees and

immigrantsimmigrants• 3-month moratorium in 20043-month moratorium in 2004

Refugee: one outside his/her country, Refugee: one outside his/her country, unable to return, due to well-founded fear unable to return, due to well-founded fear of violence, injury, torture, death……of violence, injury, torture, death……because of social group, race, religion, because of social group, race, religion, nationality, political opinion or nationality, political opinion or environmental disasterenvironmental disaster

23 Million 23 Million

11. 5 Million are Children11. 5 Million are Children

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

del Valle – Boswell – Daycare del Valle – Boswell – Daycare TrustTrust

• ““Nothing of this magnitude since Nothing of this magnitude since the Holocaust”the Holocaust”

• Leaving behind all familiar and Leaving behind all familiar and knownknown

• Confused, frightened, overwhelmedConfused, frightened, overwhelmed• Major medical and psychological Major medical and psychological

issuesissues• Fear of government and social Fear of government and social

agenciesagencies• Little or no formal schoolingLittle or no formal schooling• Language difficultiesLanguage difficulties

EscapeEscape

““From violence to shark-infested From violence to shark-infested waters …night runs across borders waters …night runs across borders unknown… tounknown… to

arrival into unfamiliar lands”arrival into unfamiliar lands”

Survivors of TortureSurvivors of Torture

& Trauma & Trauma

……to dangerous, to dangerous, crowded camps of crowded camps of despair and despair and hopelessness…hopelessness… physical & psychological traumas of war, torture, disappearance or death of family members and friends…

Happy, Healthy, Well-adjusted Happy, Healthy, Well-adjusted ChildrenChildren

• Role of parent – protect children physically Role of parent – protect children physically & psychologically, provide resources, & psychologically, provide resources, advocate, connect with the community, advocate, connect with the community, spiritual fulfillmentspiritual fulfillment

• ““Family unit” – responsible for the Family unit” – responsible for the transmission of culturetransmission of culture

Best practices: Best practices: Bronfenbrenner –Bronfenbrenner –Adler –Adler –

Bowlby & Ainsworth – Glasser - Walker & Bowlby & Ainsworth – Glasser - Walker & RileyRiley

With all these ChallengesWith all these Challenges

• Are those who Are those who believe in a better believe in a better tomorrowtomorrow

Opportunities:Opportunities:A Safe Haven & A New A Safe Haven & A New StartStart

New opportunities New opportunities and challenges and challenges for us allfor us all