December 2009

 

 

Ethnically cleansed and exiled to Nepal where they lived for 17 years in squalid refugee camps, Lhotsampas - Bhutanese Hindus (of Nepali origin) are arriving into the United States. Between 2008 and 2012, over 60000 refugees will be settled by the US under a UN-approved legal migration plan. Rent subsidies and food stamps from the US government last four to eight months after which they are expected to fend for themselves. Sewa International along with like-minded partner groups is working with these Bhutanese refugees in 24 cities including San Diego.

 

Several hundred Bhutanese refugees have been arriving in San Diego over the past year. The families have been assigned apartments spread over a few miles near the SDSU college area. The recent arrivals (< 8 months) receive a monthly stipend to cover rent and utilities, food stamps and medical care from government-approved relief agencies. However, many families who have been here longer than 8 months are struggling to support themselves and are desperately in need of jobs. In the current economic situation, they are struggling to find employment. Quite a few of them (especially older folks) are in need of medical help too and have no insurance coverage. Transportation within San Diego is also a problem since none of them have cars.

 

Average size of a family is six (usually grandparents, parents and 2 or 3 children). Their native language is Nepali but some of them speak little Hindi and English. Some of them attend ESL classes to try to improve their English skills. Education levels vary, some middle-aged and older folks are uneducated, many of them attended school in the UN refugee camps (Nepal curriculum), and a very small number have bachelor degrees. Some of them have worked in Bhutan, Nepal and India as farmers, construction workers, cashiers, teachers, etc. They are here in legal refugee immigration status and possess valid work authorization. Despite their struggles for nearly two decades, they are a decent and hospitable people who look forward to a better life in the US while seeking to preserve their culture, religion and heritage.

 

Following are some immediate needs for which we are seeking help:

 

- Job search assistance (this is an urgent need!!!)

    - Contacting Indian and other local businesses (stores, restaurants, motels, etc)

    - Resume preparation and job search help

- Medical help

    - Contacting Doctors/nurses who can provide free consultation/treatment when needed

    - Procure Medical/hygiene kits for each family

- Teaching, counseling and mentoring

    - Adopt-a-family: mentor and assist them in settling in their new lives in US

    - Computer skills, PC troubleshooting, software installation help, etc

    - Car driving

    - Vocational, English and skills training

- Giving rides to temples, grocery stores and other places on some weekends

- Assist in procuring library cards and using library, DMV, immigration paperwork, etc

- Contact your local Indian/other associations to garner community support

- Help procure household items and day-to-day materials based on family needs (through craigslist, freecycle, etc)

- Volunteer management, project record keeping, publicity, running errands, etc

- Nepali speaking volunteers for translation help

 

1. Computers, monitors, printers, peripherals and other accessories

2. Used cars and bicycles

3. Basic medicines and first aid items

4. Kitchen appliances (blender, juicer, microwave, etc) and utensils

5. TVs, DTV converter boxes, antennas, etc

6. School books, children’s activity books, English immersion tools, etc

7. Devotional books for adults and children (English/Nepali), bhajan CDs, DVDs, etc

8. Musical instruments (Indian/other)

Note: Due to overwhelming response, we are not accepting any donations of clothes at this time.

Monetary Donations:

Cash donations will help us purchase the above items, conduct different activities for them and support their other needs. Following are some ways to donate.
- Donate online at via Paypal or Google Checkout at http://www.sewausa.org/contribute-sewa-usa. Please mention the purpose of donation as 'BRE San Diego'
- Check payable to "Sewa International USA" and mailed to Sewa International USA, PO Box 14622, Fremont, CA 94539. Please mention 'BRE San Diego' in memo line.
- Periodic monthly withdrawal. Please fill and send this form.
- If you are donating, please email to sandiego {at} sewausa (dot) org with your pledge and method of donation.

Note: Receipts will be provided for both cash and in-kind contributions.

 

- Volunteers started visiting the families and building rapport with them, and created a profile database of the refugee families

- Donation drives to collect essentials like food, clothes, home appliances, books etc

- Puja-Kit drive to provide basic religious items and pictures of Gods for the families to continue their religious practices

- Facilitated the Bhutanese participation in Indian Cultural events and Hindu festivals by providing rides, sponsoring tickets etc

- Held Bhajan Sandhyas, Satsangs and other fun activities with them

- Sponsored Helping a few of the Bhutanese obtain get driving licenses

- Helping them find jobs by talking to prospective employers, resume preparation help, and taking them to the interviews

- Getting them access to local healthcare facilities such as the County Medical health plan

- Providing practical tools to deal with their day to day stress and keeping up their confidence through Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation sessions
- Conducted a 4-day health and wellness camp including free medical check-up (by Art of Living Foundation, San Diego)

 

Our contributions so far have been modest but we hope to do more. Their immediate needs are employment and medical help. We have been attempting to contact local businesses to find jobs for them and we look forward to any assistance in this regard from individuals, groups or organizations. We request temples and spiritual groups to join us in our efforts and look forward to working together to serve our Bhutanese Hindu brothers and sisters in San Diego.

 

1. Art of Living Foundation, San Diego

2. Chinmaya Mission, San Diego
3. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), San Diego
4. Sewa International USA

5. Shiva Vishnu Temple of San Diego

6. Sikh Foundation of San Diego Gurudwara

 

 

For volunteering/donation inquiries in San Diego, please contact:

Photo albums of our activities are available here and here.