40 African refugees have started their new lives in Chattanooga. They have never seen a stove or refrigerator or TV and now have to learn to use them, everything is new to them. DP
By Perla Trevizo, Staff Writer, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
msnbc.msn.com: Chattanooga, TN - Life in an unfamiliar place has brought the blessings of safety and friendship along with the trials of isolation and adjustment for 40 people who began arriving in Chattanooga three months ago from their homes a world away.
"The beginning is always hard," said Isaac Toyi, an African refugee, through interpreter Monira Gicakara. "But I'm grateful to be in America, and I want to study really hard to speak good English."
As many as 10,000 Burundian refugees from a Hutu camp in Tanzania are being resettled in the United States this year. About 40 of them, 14 families with 17 children, have moved to Chattanooga, according to resettlement officials.
"Considering that they didn't know any English when they came to the U.S., or modern technology, I think they are doing great in resettling," said Angel Berry, case manager with Bridge Refugee Services.
The refugees have had to learn how to use things most of them never had seen before such as a television, a stove and a refrigerator. Ms. Berry said finding employment for the refugees has been the biggest challenge so far, "but it seems to be getting better."
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2 comments:
Hello, iam DrKwizera,living in Mbarara,Uganda.I would like to get in touch with a burundian believed to be living in the USA,whose maiden name is ANNETTE MINANE.She is now believed to be married to Bernard.Contact me on papakwiz@gmail.com.
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