Melanie Trainor
Writing 321
Courtesy of Ben Painter
9.19.16 Refugee Background Reading
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The background reading about refugees explain what makes someone a refugee by definition and the legal processes that have to be complete in order to be considered a refugee in the eyes of international law. Before reading I had a very vague definition of someone who is a refugee; and I was unaware of the extensive process that they go through to become a refugee. The reading states “A refugee is someone determined to have “a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion” and who therefore cannot return to his or her country of origin.” In reading this definition I realized the definition is much more extensive than most people realize. The United Nations High Commission on Refugees was created to protect refugees that come to other countries seeking protection. The readings state that the process in becoming a refugee included interview process and background checks on their country of origin. These readings were very informative, easy to follow and they contain a lot of information
This article talk about the many devastating fact about the refugee crisis. This issue has been taking place for years; these Syrians have had to deal with many violent acts such as killings and bombings. These refugees are fleeing to places such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. This causes problems for those countries as well because they don’t necessarily have room for these refugees. The refugees escape at night walking miles and avoiding being injured by snipers. When they get where they are going they have very limited means, some live in camps and shelters. One large problem for these refugees is the large youth population. The article states that more than half of the Syrian refugees are under the age of eighteen. Education is a problem in this situation because schools cant fit this many children and some have stopped attending school altogether. These individuals need our help in whatever we can do for them.
9.22.16 Quick Facts Review
9.29.16 6
Designs to Help Refugees Live a Better Life
There are so many ways to help refugees that people should be taking advantage of. This article talks about 6 products and inventions that will help refugees. The first product is a solar powered better shelter made by IKEA. The shelters and tents that they are staying in don’t last long and idea made a better more durable shelter. The next product is “solar powered-solar stuff” which is a solar powered light designed for disaster solutions made of recycled material that is a safer alternative to kerosene lamps. The third product mentioned is a water purifier, which will help prevent disease in refugee camps, which is a problem for the large concentration of refugees. A portable charger would also be a great contribution to the camps which is another product designed to run on solar power. A Dutch company Wakawaka designed this. The charger is necessary for safety and communication. The last product mentioned is an inflatable portable incubator for premature babies. Because of the high infant mortality rate in refugee camps this should relive some of the stress if having children. I think that these products would be very helpful in refugee camps for the wellbeing of the members.
This article is about a present day crisis of refugee children who do not have a home let alone someone to take care of them. The person who wrote this article is writing about his purchase of four Syrian children under the age of five for $600 dollars. The author is very aware of the different terrible situations that happen, such as the selling of children and vulnerable woman, the prostitution of young children in order for them to help provide for their families and the marrying off of young girls in hopes that the husband will take care of the wife’s family as well. The author took the children in and took care of them with his friend; they taught them to cook and bake, how to be a kid and play children games. The author states that we must do what we can to help these children, he suggest that if anyone is ever in a similar situation, buy the children and figure out care for them later because saving them in that moment is important.
10.3.16
People Living "In Sheer Terror" Around Lake Chad
Violence is a large problem in Africa; attacks are coming from Boko Haram, and they are driving members of the community from their homes. Dr’s without boarders are attempting to help countries like Chad. This article shares the story of a medical dr. who is traveling there. Health care facilities are scarce in the countries surrounding lake chad, these people who were forced to flee and therefore don’t have supplies or man power to help those who need it. Dr’s without boarders come in and many different types of medical care for those who need it as well as providing clean water to those in need. Although many people who were forced to flee cannot be reached they still strive to provide assistance to the host communities they may be residing in because they have limited means. The terror the people are facing causing them to flee their home countries is a larger issue that hopefully this medical project will help.
10.3.16
THE FORGOTTEN BORDER IN THE SOUTH
This article is about the many dangerous and cruel factors that immigrants have faced when trying to find a better life for themselves. The article starts with a story of a man with his sons and his mute deaf brother who are being mugged and abused in a rice field. The article shows the routs people travel when trying to get to the United States or somewhere that is better for them. The article explains that many woman who travel are sexual assaulted and abused on their journeys whether it is to extort them, for ransom, or sexual favors provided for coyotes in exchange for their guidance. The MSF coordinator in Mexico believes that these people should have the right to asylum because although they may not be armed conflict the abuse still has the same results. I agree with this, the assaults on those fleeing their countries are still detrimental. I found the statistics and mentions in this article very alarming, and it is sad that many of the people being assaulted are unaware of their rights when these issues arise.
10.6.016
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The video the I viewed is of a man and his wife and their story of how they escaped the Congo and the struggles that they endured that still exist today. The man starts out the video speaking about the terrible conditions in the Congo you can tell by the tone in his voice he is upset with the situation. One of the big topics he discussed are the restrictions and violations against woman in his country. His wife then speaks about the abuse women receive and how they would like to help them by providing education and any needs they have. This family was attacked in their home. The man was tied up while the attackers abused and violated his wife. This story was very powerful and the mans voice got serious and sad as he began to tell it. The congo speaks 4 languages, the main one being French but without education on the language the separate communities are not able to communicate. This family wants to help those still in the position they once were in. I thought this video was very powerful even though it was simply just a man and his wife speaking about their past experiences.
10.6.2016
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40 years after the Cambodian Genocide, One thing my parents still talk about.
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I found an article online about a boy who grew up with parents who survived the Cambodian genocide. The author grew up not knowing much about their experience but decided to ask them. Their story begins in Cambodia where his father worked a high class job. His mother and father left when the KR came and there was an evacuation of their city. The father took him, his wife, and their close family (parents) to a place called Puk-Russei where his aunt lived. The travel was long and hard but they made It and settled in. there they were interviewed everyday about who they are and where they were from by the government and in this case the father lied; claiming he was illiterate and worked selling bread. The wife eventually had a baby girl but had to spend time in the hospital while the father was being transferred and taken with the baby girl. He had gotten out of his departure and waited for his wife, when she returned sadly the baby died of sickness. The couple also had 3 other children at this time who had also perished which wasn’t uncommon for the situation. When the war ended the family settled and had three other children who are currently living healthy lives.
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