Backpacks for Refugee Children

Working at an organization that helps with refugee resettlement, I see first-hand how bewildering it is to build a new life in the US as a refugee. For example, how do you take the bus (especially if you can't read the road signs)? How do you go grocery shopping? How in the world do you make money if you can't speak English? And how do you learn English, and learn it fast (to make money, so that you can take the bus to go grocery shopping to feed your family)? It's completely overwhelming, even without the traumatic events that led the refugees to be resettled in the first place.

As a refugee child, these challenges are compounded by learning to navigate the public school system, in addition to trying to make friends and "fit-in". With parents who do not understand the system, the children often show up to school without a base-line understanding of how classes work, what is expected of them, and what supplies they need to function.

This is why I am such a big fan of World Relief's Back-2-School Program. They are asking for people to donate backpacks with some essential school supplies (see "What do I pack?" section of the website), which will be given to refugee students. These students can then at least show up to school with the basics, and will hopefully help ease their transition socially and academically.

It's really easy to put together a backpack, especially with the list of supplies provided on the website (just pick an age group--elementary, middle school, or high school and get the appropriate supplies). It makes a world of difference for the refugee child receiving it! If you are in the Boston area, and are interested, drop me a line--I'd be happy to collect and mail them out together.