NAFA has been asked to help with the influx of Lhotsampas coming to Madison from their camps in eastern Nepal. I've put together some links to resources that explain their story and a little of what to expect.
In an effort to help NAFA will be providing 2 to 3 Mentor/Translators to each family.
What is a Mentor/Translator? Someone the family can call. Act as a translator as the family gets accustomed to its new surroundings. So fluent Nepali language skills are required. They may carry a slip of paper with your name and phone number on it, in case they get stuck in a situation where someone else needs to call for help with translation. So a cell phone would be nice but not required, sincethere will be a few people on team. You can show them how to get around. Best places to shop. Accompany them to Doctor visits. Help fill out job applications that kind of thing. Act as cultural and language liaison with other groups that are helping the families adjust. If you can give your free time to this, please sign-up. As a group, we can help these families. Sign-up today. NAFA Translator Sign-up Sheet
Here are some good informational links: Basic story: http://www.cal.org/co/pdffiles/backgrounder_bhutanese.pdf Up to date info (blog): http://www.friendsofnepal.com/?page_id=273 NPR news story (Refugees and the Recession): http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98591969 Matching grant program: http://www.friendsofnepal.com/bhutaneserefugees/MathingGrantApp.pdf |
Lhotsampas - Bhutanese Refugees |