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Burmese group gathers to address concerns
Published 6/22/2009 in Local News
By SHAJIA AHMAD
Members of a burgeoning Burmese community are hoping their efforts to band together in spite of their multiple ethnic backgrounds, dialects and religions will aid them in their hopes to assimilate to life in southwest Kansas.
Several families of Burman, Karen and Chin background have formed the Burmese Refugee Community of Southwest Kansas and met for the first time with local officials Sunday night in the shade of an apartment building at Garden Spot Rentals, 305 W. Mary St., where an estimated 40 of Garden City's Burmese families live, said Zuali Lal, one of the group's leaders.
"A lot of the families are struggling," said Zuali, who moved to Garden City last month with her husband and two children. "Some do not have chairs to sit in their homes, and some men do not have enough money to feed their pregnant wives."
Most all of the Burmese residents, many of whom work at the Tyson Fresh Meats Holcomb plant, do not speak more than broken English, Zuali explained, which exacerbates cultural and social barriers.
For the short time she has been a Kansan, the former case manager for the Refugee Women's Alliance, based in Seattle, has voluntarily served as an interpreter and advocate for her neighbors, she said.
Many of the leaders of the Burmese community echoed her sentiments during Sunday's gathering, where many of the adult men sat in their longyis, traditional sheets of cloth worn around the waist and running to the feet, in the folding chairs sprawled across the lawn.
The leaders expressed their consternation about how and where to go for help for concerns such as putting food on the table and assistance with their immigration statuses.
In an effort to adapt to new policing laws, understand the educational system, and be good tenants, Zuali and several other leaders in the community organized what they hope is the first of several meetings with representatives of local agencies, including the Garden City Police Department, Garden City Community College, Grace Bible Church, other social service agencies, and even their landlord.
"Back in our country, we have many different ethnic groups, but here we are coming together. This community is accepting us slowly, and we really appreciate that," Soe Lwin, also a leader of the refugee community, said through Zuali's translation. "We want to work with them for the benefit of everyone in Garden City."
Steven Burgess, the apartment complex's property owner, expressed his welcome for the community but drew attention to many of his concerns, including damage to property and his fear that children who run and play in the apartment's parking lot often climb on roofs and cars and could get hurt, he said.
Burgess and the families present agreed to designate a portion of the property that previously served as a parking lot to allow children to play where there would be no threat of moving vehicles.
The United States has been accepting a growing number of Burmese refugees relocating from places such as Malaysia and the Burmese-Thailand border since mid-2006.
Many of the refugees had been displaced by their support of political rebellions and rampant human trafficking in Myanmar, the militarily-ruled southeast Asian country of about 50 million that was formerly known as Burma and which has been under military rule in one form or another since 1962.
One of Sunday's guests was Robert La, a member of the Vietnamese Refugee Association, who said the similarities facing his community in previous decades and that of the newest refugee community run deep.
La, a Garden City resident since 1983, stressed the need for members of the Burmese community to actively engage with the local community by educating themselves about local laws and supporting their children in their education endeavors.
"When I came to the U.S. in 1979, I knew no English. When I pass by your community, many people do not speak English and it is very familiar," La said. "We live close-knit and tight, but we need patience and we need to help each other if we want to be a part of the community."
How to help
The Burmese Refugee Community of Southwest Kansas is seeking donations for refugee families residing in Garden City. To make a donation, please contact Zuali Lal at (206) 458-4349.
Found 4 comment(s)!
I am confused
Does she know about what refugees really need?
Posted by: yathaw on 6/24/2009
GCCC is the only KS State recongnized organization entrusted to serve refugee in the counties of Finney, Seward and Ford
There are several people claiming to represent the Burmese refugees, we now have 2 different individuals each claiming to head a separate “Burmese association”. The other group is organizing their own meeting in the near future. These individuals have no experience and the means to run an association. They do not have prior experience managing funds, writing reports, direct assistance to needy families, etc. Donations to these individuals or groups might not reach the intended people, the Burmese refugees. Different ethnic groups should be encouraged to meet and discuss issues related to their culture and heritage but when it comes to direct service these so called associations can not meet the ever increasing day-to-day service demands of these newcomers. Besides, Burmese or even Somali refugees do not need any monetary assistance. The reason they are moving to GC is because they are getting jobs at Tyson. Most of them in fact get employed within 2 weeks after arriving GC. Some refugees might need furniture or other household items, such in-kind donations can be given through GCCC refugee center. An ethnically diverse community such as the Burmese or the Somali community where there are many ethnic, clan and religion groups, there is always mistrust between the various groups, therefore we have to be careful when someone claims to represent the whole community or wants to establish an organization in the name of all Burmese refugees. Historically, an association set up to serve ethnically diverse communities such as the Burmese or the Somali community seldom succeeds. Many such organizations set up in other parts of the US have all failed within few months because of in-fighting between various ethnic groups and mismanagement of funds. As far as we know the only agency entrusted to serving refugees in the counties of Finney, Ford and Seward is Garden City Community College (GCCC) refugee center. GCCC is receiving funds from the state and the federal government to serve all refugees with case management, job search activities, ESL, driving lessons etc. GCCC has Somali and Burmese caseworkers ready to assist refugees. Also representatives from various community organizations come to GCCC to teach refugees essential life skills they need to reach early self-sufficiency. Refugees sit in a proper classroom setting and take those lessons. Refugees DO NOT have to pay anything to receive any of GCCC services. In these tough economic times with scarce funding resources, the last thing we want to do is to duplicate services when we already have an agency serving refugees, GCCC. If the community wants to help the refugees not only the Burmese but all refugees in GC, we encourage referring them to GCCC. Any GC community agency or individual who wants to assist refugees is requested to contact and coordinate with GCCC. GCCC is an established organization and has the required knowledge, infrastructure and funding to serve the refugees as soon as they move into our community. Let’s not confuse the very same refugees we want to help by giving legitimacy to all these other people claiming to represent them. Thank you,
Posted by: A refugee on 6/24/2009
i am not soppose to beg for my living
As we step to the land of united states we have the same rights as the other people . If we are eager to stuggle for our future we have full of aportunities. Tyson and PBI are the places that offer a good job and pay high salary. We were refugees but we are not refugees any more. This is very obvious that why asking money. Where the money will go to? Will it be like in Malayasia?
Posted by: richard htun on 6/24/2009
An incredible thought
I had a thought when I read this article. I have been living in the United States for two years. I had voluntarily served as an interpreter and a Karen group leader when I was living in Oklahoma State. All we need for our community is how to apply for social benefits such as Food Stamps, Cash Assistance, Medical Card for children and pregenant wives as well as participating in the workshop of living style of America and seeking a flexible and appropiate way for our refugees. It is not our aim seeking a donation via internet website and ads in the local telegram and paper. We also have another conerns for our refugees about giving their vital documentation such as SSC, I-94, and things like that. I will not consent to her getting their documentation door to door. I do not think it is a good things for our community. If I were her, I am seeking the way to solve the problem each of refugee is facing without expecting any donation. I am glad she got an incredible thought for refugees, but it is not the way to solve the problem. As a refugee, we are not here ( U.S.) to seek the donation. Our goal is to gain a better life for our children and to make our own dream.
Posted by: naysix on 6/23/2009