Issue 5 June 2014
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Refugee Elder Program The Summer months have come quickly upon us all, and we started June with a beautiful get-together at Willow Park, where we were meeting up with the Family Center and had a tremendous blast! We wrapped up classes before starting a two-week break celebrating with great enjoyment everyone’s presence during the World Refugee Day activities at the main office location! Beautiful get-together with the Family Center for a great picnic at Willow Park Exercises with Lettie! Birthdays June!
1140 Cherokee Rd (Highland United Methodist Church) Program Coordinator: Abby Webb
Art therapy with Joyce Ogden - Bhutanese Group
World Refugee Day
Ph.: 292-9899 or 479-9180 x 56 Tues & Thurs: 10.00 am-12. 00 pm Exercises begin 9.30 am Early birds are welcome as early as 8.30 am !!
Volunteers with the Locust Grove Baptist Church Youth Group, Alabama In this issue Art therapy sessions—Bhutanese group
2
Willow Park picnic
3-23
Locust Grove Baptist Church Youth Group, Alabama
24-28
World Refugee Day
29
Exercises with Lettie
30
Birthday celebrations June
31-32 1
Issue 5 June 2014
Art therapy classes Some exhibits of our Bhutanese group...
Refugee Elder Program
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Bhakta (Bhutan) showing off her art piece during the art sessions
Tara (Bhutan) lifting proudly his drawing and rejoicing in the attention it gets
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Issue 5 June 2014
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Willow Park Picnic Allison Smithkier & Abby Webb, respective Coordinators of the Family Center and the Elder Program, brought together more than 55 participants from both programs to enjoy a recreational break from ESL classes at Willow Park. Assisted by additional staff and volunteers from KRM and Catholic Charities, elders, children and young mothers alike relaxed in an atmosphere full of fun and laughter, connecting with each other through entertaining games, fellowship and the sharing of deliciously prepared ethnic dishes! The weather conditions were more than gracious, the spirits were high and a pinata blow-out concluded a beautifully spent day!
Left: Wiaam (Iraq) Allison & Anwar, a former refugee client and now toddler teacher at the Family Center, relaxing for a photo-op before getting to the picnic table!
Right: Maombi, Esperance and Benjamin (DR Congo) with Allison right before getting into all the fun
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Chancelline & Benjamin (DR Congo) having buckets of fun on the slide—and obviously a safe arrival! Their smiles are unmatchable!
Refugee Elder Program
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Left: Child care staff Frances keeping little Esperance (DR Congo) safe as she is watching what’s going on around her
Right: Benjamin (DR Congo) feels quite comfortable in the playing tube and just chilling out!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Francoise and Maombi (DR Congo) with intern Natasha quieting down after leaving the children in safe care
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: Ratna (Bhutan) holding her little infant Arina, who hasn’t decided yet if she is liking what she’s seeing :)
Below: Francoise (DR Congo) with her son Emmanuel and intern Natasha
Above: Esperance, Maombi & little Esperance (DR Congo) with volunteer Kristen and intern Natasha 5
Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
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Left: Aries (Bhutan) at the piñata blow-out, looking on where the best candy might be—other Elders gathered some for their grandchildren or themselves, as there was more than sufficient for everyone—and some!
Right: Chancelline (DR Congo) didn’t need a prompt—she gladly exhibited her joy and happiness for everyone to see!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Cubans Delia, Jose P. Jose V., Emma, Isabel and E.—a little group chat before heading to the table
Refugee Elder Program
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Right in the front: Cubans Delia, Jose Emma, Zoilo & Jose P. enjoying Isabel’s chat with her good friend Hong (Vietnam) in front of her— In the back: Elmira (Azerbaijan) -a formidable baker
Left: Enjoying lunch! Cubans Francisco, Delia, Isabel and Jose P. with Elmira (Azerbaijan), V. (Ukraine) and Husham (Iraq) in the background
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Delia (Cuba), Teacher Michaela, Jolyanna (Austria/ Iraq) and Elmira (Azerbaijan) smiling up a hello for the camera!
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: Abby with Dharmananda and Kamalapati (Bhutan) on their way to find a seat and enjoy their meal
Left: Volunteer Dennis discussing with E. what the ethnic dishes might be called while Bhakta (Bhutan) is observing quietly the playful debate
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Issue 5 June 2014
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Willow Park Picnic Right: Teacher Michaela and excellent baker & cook Elmira (Azerbaijan) stopping for a little photo-up after helping set up the tables and the different games
Left: Dharmananda, Gobinda and Hari Maya (Bhutan) on the field, waiting for the game to begin
Right: Elmira (Azerbaijan) put so much work and time in this strikingly looking and delicious cake—laughing she goes at it to cut the perfect slices!! Thank you, Elmira, for sharing your skills with our taste buds!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Below: Maombi (DR Congo) with Kristen, little Esperance on the left and Chancelline on the right—Benjamin in the front has already finished his lunch and will be getting ready to bolt playing again!
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: Ratna (Bhutan) enjoying lunch with her children Arina and Aries
Left: FC staff Frances holding little Esperance while Maombi is trying to have her taste some of the delicious food served
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Above: Interns Dennis and Yongqian discussing with Abdulrazzaq (Iraq) several topics of interest and pausing for a big smile!
Right: Sabeeh (Iraq), Sekhar (Bhutan) and Nzanzibandi (DR Congo) gathered already on the field and wait for the game to begin
Left: Durga (Bhutan) is still undecided, and Wafiqa opts to watch, while Sabeeh (Iraq) appears ready to get on with it
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Issue 5 June 2014
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Willow Park Picnic Left: What a blast! Salvador (Cuba) is giving it a shot, while Hari (Bhutan) is still figuring it out and Martin (Cuba) watching curiously—while Jose P. (Cuba) is getting his camera ready, Delia (Cuba) is already enjoying the whole deal
Below: While others are playing, we see Hong (Vietnam), Hari Maya, Durgha, Bhakta and Hari (Bhutan) still peacefully enjoying their meals—there’s still time to play!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Dharmananda, Gobinda, Hari Maya and Man (Bhutan), Martin (Cuba) in between, watching what’s happening on the field— something amusing?
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: So what are we waiting for? Man (Bhutan), Husham (Iraq), Francisco (Cuba) and Kamalapati (Bhutan) with his back in the front….where is the ball?
Left: OK! Here we are! Sabeeh (Iraq) has taken his shot and Chris (Catholic Charities) and Francisco (Cuba) are watching the course of the boomerang up high! Do they
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Left: Hong (Vietnam) deciding to come away from the crowd for a little while and pose nicely for a great memorable picture
Right: Husham and Wafiqa (Iraq) trying to figure the camera options out while Abdulrazzaq (Iraq) is quite engaged in the game
Left: Jolyanna (Austria/Iraq) and Elmira (Azerbaijan) finished their lunch and prepare to sit down and relax a while
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Isabel (Cuba) decided that women can dish out good baseball hits as well— and went on to prove it while having quite some fun with it!
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: Joseph (Iraq), Shree (Bhutan) and Nzanzibandi (DR Congo) needing somewhat a rest and shared a bench to do so.
Left: Jolyanna (Austria/Iraq) and V (Ukraine). —getting ready to pack up and prepare for the walk to the bus stop
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
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Above: The Karen group shared generously very tasty, and some quite spicy, dishes—here Pae Dah, Ah Pay, Ler Htooni, Saw Sunday and Hit Ler Below: Pae Dah asking Ler Htoni for some desert and Saw grinning happily while digesting his lunch
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Still enjoying leisurely ethnic food: Saw Sunday, Hit Ler, Pae Dah and Ah Pay (Karen state)
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Sabeeh (Iraq), Musa (Sudan), Husham (Iraq) and Nzanzibandi (DR Congo) - some break appears appealing
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: seems that Wafiqa (Iraq) gets everyone to break a smile despite tiredness setting in
Left: Joseph (Iraq) stepping out to get a water and pose for a single pic
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Elder Program longtime Volunteer Beth is quite amused about Martin’s (Cuba) and Chris’ (Catholic Charities) efforts’ to get the piñata ready —the children are wondering what’s taking so long!
Refugee Elder Program
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Left: Isabel (Cuba) and E. showing the children how to blow best and get the most out of - in the background Musa (Sudan), Nzanzibandi (DR Congo), Maombi & Francoise and Esperance (DR Congo) are watching curiously the situation
Right: The piñata is about to be blown out, but where is the focus of everyone?
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Issue 5 June 2014
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Willow Park Picnic Left: Everyone has enjoyed lunch, games and fellowship—now it’s time to digest and rest— Elmira (Azerbaijan), V., and Cubans Delia, Jose
Below: Wafiqa (Iraq) rejoicing after finally figuring out the camera options!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org Left: Wafiqa (lraq) laughing at being caught on the camera and Sabeeh (Iraq) with his back wrapping up the game— Sekhar (Bhutan) seems to be already done!
Above: Zoilo (Cuba) is happy to finally enjoy some fresh fruit as desert!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic Left: Stacey (Catholic Charities) has finally time to enjoy her share of all those delicious dishes !
Refugee Elder Program
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Right: Stacey and Chris (Catholic Charities) with Frances (Family Center staff) getting seconds‌ who can blame them when you look at this overflowing table?
Left: Not quite sure why Chris (Catholic Charities) is about to jump‌. Found some candy???? LOL
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Issue 5 June 2014
Willow Park Picnic
Refugee Elder Program
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Left: Abby and Teacher Michaela with Bhutanese Kamalapati, Dharmananda, Gobinda, Sekhar, Hari Maya and Bhadri for a wrap-up photo
FINAL PICTURE 23
Issue 5 June 2014
Volunteers
from
Alabama
Refugee Elder Program
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The Youth Group from Locust Grove Baptist Church, Alabama, visited the Elder Program and assisted with mock interviews and conversation preparation for the naturalization exam while also getting acquainted with some of the challenges Refugee Elders are facing—the enjoyment of learning about each other was mutual!
Right: Jack, who volunteers regularly at the Elder Program, engaged in discussion with Abdulrazzaq (Iraq)
Left: Jack and Abdulrazzaq (Iraq) still discussing while Maddy is conducting a mock interview with V. (Ukraine) as preparation for the exam 24
Issue 5 June 2014
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Volunteers
from
Alabama
Right: Julia tries to explain Ahmed (Iraq) some of the tougher vocabulary Refugee Elders need to know to pass the exam!
The challenge to do so is sometimes quite great! Chloe studied through some citizenship questions and was amazed that she couldn’t answer some of them, which caused her to admire even more Refugee Elders’ efforts to study for the exam!
Right: Julia is checking if she was able to communicate to Ahmed (Iraq) the right meaning and waits for his corresponding response
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Issue 5 June 2014
Volunteers
Alabama Left: Sekhar (Bhutan) being quizzed by David on citizenship questions while Kaitlyn gives Kamalapati (Bhutan) time to think about his answers while conducting conversational talk preceding the interview
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Refugee Elder Program
from
Right: Sekhar (Bhutan) wants to make sure that he is understanding correctly...
‌ right?
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Issue 5 June 2014
Volunteers
Refugee Elder Program
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
from
Alabama Right: Ler Htooni (Karen state) waiting for questions as Taylor conducts the mock interview
Right: As Taylor continues with questions, Ler Htooni (Karen state) makes sure he understands correctly
Left: Now it’s time to write the answer down
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Issue 5 June 2014
Volunteers
Alabama Left: Kamalapati (Bhutan) listens intently while Kaitlyn is quizzing him on citizenship questions—he has studied hard and wants to make sure he is answering correctly
Look us up on the WEB! www.kyrm.org
Refugee Elder Program
from
Right: Brian engages Gobinda (Bhutan) in some small talk preceding the citizenship exam which is important for Elders to prepare for in order to demonstrate comprehension
Left: Gobinda (Bhutan) makes sure he is understood when he responds
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Issue 5 June 2014
World Refugee Day Talk about fun among tasty dishes and engaging activities:
Refugee Elder Program
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Isabel enjoyed her Cuban salsa that much...that Francisco couldn’t pass up the challenge and joined in! They certainly did not lose their swing and showed amazing passion in their steps & turns!
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Issue 5 June 2014
Exercises with Lettie Exercises continue to be well attended– in this hot weather though it gets sweaty even inside!
Refugee Elder Program
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Punching, stretching, and moving all kinds of muscles—nobody let’s up!
Slowing down to wrap up before class starts...
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Issue 5 June 2014
Birthdays June David
Refugee Elder Program
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Karen State
Delia Cuba
Estelvina Cuba
Salvador Cuba
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Issue 5 June 2014
Refugee Elder Program
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Birthdays June Isabel making sure Delia shows off her delicious cupcake for a nice memorable picture!
Although Estelvina, Salvador and David were not able to be present at the Program when we all celebrated and sang the Happy Birthday song, we presented all with a beautiful card, flag & country/name dedication— Delia (Cuba) however could enjoy her birthday treat and munched happily on it afterward‌
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