International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people. Read more

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IIRI welcomes first Bhutanese Refugees

The Thapa family arrived in Providence in early April with their two sons, ages 14 and 12, from a refugee camp in Nepal.  Originally from the country of Bhutan, the Thapa family is of Nepalese ethnicity, a group known as Lhotsampas. In 1991 the government of Bhutan stripped the Lhotsampas of their citizenship and began a campaign of harassment, discrimination and denial of basic services.  Many were also detained, tortured, and forced to leave their homes.  Over 108,000 refugees flowed out of Bhutan, through India to Nepal where they have been living in seven camps in Eastern Nepal.  

Over 40,000 of these Bhutanese Refugees are children, and like the Thapa boys, have lived their entire lives in refugee camps.  There is education in the camps and classes are available through the high school level.  As with many refugees, there is little hope or opportunity for these young people upon finishing their education.  Both of the Thapa children speak some English although their native tongue is Nepali.   Learning to speak and read English will be one of the first hurdles for the family in their new home.  

IIRI is fortunate to have a native Nepali volunteer who is working with the Thapas and IIRI caseworkers to assist the family with their resettlement.  We expect to have several more families arriving from Nepal in the next month.  Refugee resettlement Volunteer and Donation Coordinator, Mary Ellen Lynch, is hopeful that IIRI supporters will continue to be generous with household goods, non-perishable foods, and other items as we try to create welcoming homes for these newcomers.  If you are interested in donating items contact Mary Ellen Lynch at 401-784-8649 or melynch@iiri.org at or make a financial donation at http://www.iiri.org/donate.htm.

For more information on the Bhutanese refugees: http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2007/05/16/last-hope.