If you think you have problems, meet Daniel Nyabenda, an African refugee who has never had a home in his 32 years of life.

Nyabenda's first home is a two-bedroom apartment in one of the humblest areas of Nashua, NH, West Hollis Street.

He is among 39 refugees who arrived in Nashua from Burundi, a central African country devastated by 36 years of a civil war that has killed 300,000 people.

Nyabenda's two young daughters represent the second generation of Burundians who were born in refugee camps in the neighboring countries of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first wave of Burundian refugees arrived in Manchester, NH, in August of 2007, through the assistance of the International Institute, one of 450 resettlement agencies that work with the U.S. State Department.

Before they arrived in New Hampshire, the International Institute had received just a five-day notice from the State Department to be ready for their arrival.

"In a short period of time, we had to start preparing everything, from gathering clothing and finding shelters, to talking to school and health officials, and later assisting [the Burundian refugees] with getting Social Security numbers," said Anne Sanderson, the International Institute's Manchester director.

Nyabenda's father, Esiron Nyandwi, 76, recalls with a wide smile the moment he fled his home in Burundi on May 16, 1972, to protect his family.

The confusing scene was much like the one he entered when he arrived in America. Except that when he arrived in America, the confusion included a battalion of helpers.

The International Institute provided food stamps, clothing, an overview of life in New Hampshire, and arranged housing and health screening for the Burundians.

But the actual difference was made by the solidarity of church groups in Nashua who felt a compelling urge to help turn around a human crisis.

Grace Fellowship provided English classes, Nashua Presbyterian distributed Shaw's supermarket gift cards, and United Methodist Church members donated coats and clothes, blankets, bicycles and other items. Seventh Day Adventist provided assistance, too.

"I sought the (Methodist) church first for spiritual help, then for any help we could get," said Daniel, recalling his first freezing snow days.

Church activist Wendy Sommer says United Methodist volunteers spent 25 hours storing donations from members and friends.

"Some worked until 11 p.m. on weekdays, others cleaned refugees' apartments or rebuilt closet shelves," she said.

Health Screening

Once the Burundians arrived in Nashua, the International Institute was responsible for finding them a health care provider.

"For the most part, they looked pretty healthy," said Bobbie Bagley, chief nurse for the Division of Public Health and Community Services of Nashua, NH.

The primary health care provider selected, the Nashua Area Health Center, received their patient histories from U.S. Immigration services.

In general, refugees are tested for any endemic diseases, such as malaria, that might be typical in their country of origin.

But with the Burundians, that was not the case, said Bagley.

They then received full immunizations, including for hepatitis, and screenings for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.

The adults received eight months of Medicaid coverage. The children's coverage was indefinite or until their parents could get health insurance through employment.

Medical interpretation was an immediate issue in the health care of the Burundians, who spoke Swahili and, for some, French.

The International Institute had French-speaking caseworkers from Somalia who facilitated communication between the Burundians and their health care providers.

Nashua's Public Health Department relied on various bilingual sources: nurses who spoke French, Nashua-area refugees who had lived in Somalia and spoke Swahili, and on a service called Language Line, which provides interpreters over the phone.

"Health care does not stop at the first screening. Anybody who went through a traumatic situation like [they did would] require psychological assistance, nutrition, et cetera. Now, their challenge will be learning how to navigate our system, from how to set up a doctor's appointment to accessing medication," said Mariellen Durso, director of the Nashua Area Health Center.

Job Seeking

After getting their health care straightened out, the Burundian refugees turned next to learning English.

In the classrooms, they showed their strong desire to grasp a good life once and for all. Of the 14 Burundians who enrolled at the Adult Learning Center in Nashua, three jumped from level 1 to level 4 within four months.

Many Burundians - because of frequent movement between refugee camps or countries - have not had any formal education.

"Even though four of the oldest [Burundian refugees] have never attended school, they are faithful students. They never miss a class, and [they] work very hard," said Joan Gibson, an English teacher.

Still, learning English has been a major obstacle for the Burundians in finding jobs.

But an agreement with the U.S. State Department requires that, to qualify for federal funding for four months, refugees must attend English classes and accept the first employment offer.

The clock is ticking for many of them. As of May 19, only three of the nine adults from Nyabenda's extended family were employed, said Nyabenda.

"I don't know what I am going to do in June. The last $625 rent will be paid (with resources from the International Institute) on May 29," said Nyabenda.

Financial aid goes to the refugees from federal funding that the International Institute receives from the State Department.

Anne Sanderson, the International Institute director, explains that when the fourth month of financial support is up, the refugees may qualify to receive public assistance.

But public assistance for rent has yet to reach the family of Nate Bampakariyo, another Burundian refugee, who arrived in New Hampshire with his wife and their four children.

His wife paid $900 for the fifth month of rent with her hourly wages as a housekeeper at a local hotel.

But her wages will pay only partially for the Barnpakariyos' sixth month of rent. Donors from the United Methodist Church will pay the remainder of the rent.

"It's been hard finding jobs for the refugees in Nashua. In Manchester, we have contacted over 150 employers," said Sanderson.

The International Institute employs a full-time employment director who, said Sanderson, has to meet with refugees on a weekly basis.

Transferable Skills

It takes time for new refugees to become self-sufficient, but transferable job skills can help speed up the wait.

Daniel Nyabenda was a nursing assistant in Tanzania. Mate Bampakariyo taught French in the refugee camps there, too.

Jean Paul Manirageza, 28, still daydreams about his two years as a reporter for the Refugee Informational Gaps Bulletin, a biweekly newspaper published in three languages, that connected refugee camps in Tanzania with the UN, government officials and the outside world.

"I used to go around asking people (camp residents) what questions they would ask officials," said Manirageza.

The interviewed residents were some of the 40,000 people living in the substandard conditions of the 15 camps amongst themselves.

Manirageza would then announce the questions on the radio and publish the responses in the Refugee Informational Gaps Bulletin.

He didn't have a newspaper byline, but he got to read all the families' inquiries on air, providing some comfort for his people.

Some of their questions were both confrontational and patriotic:
As we prepare to return to Burundi, we hear about weapons which are circulating without any control. Do they [the UN and Burundian government officials] think we love Tanzania more than Burundi?
There are reasons we are reluctant [to go back to Burundi, if living conditions there are not safe].

Manirageza has a long way to go in learning English before he can become a reporter in America.

Despite the challenges, he as well as the other refugees are glad to call Nashua home.

"I love America. Americans are a very good people, and we finally find peace here," said Mate Bampakariyo.

For the 35 Burundians living in Nashua (four moved to Manchester), dodging bullets and getting 300 grams (10.5 ounces) of biweekly food rations are past history.

Now, having a roof over their heads is the ultimate expression of happiness.

But life has changed for the Burundians' good samaritans, too.

"I've been very blessed to have known these people. They are positive despite having so little and [they] opened my eyes. I decided to reduce my grocery bill by 25 percent. They taught me I can live happily with less," said Wendy Sommer, a stay-at-home-mom of two boys, in Brookline, NH, who has been helping the refugees. "To be honest, I don't think my family noticed any difference."

Source: EthnicNewz.org

Copyright 2008 New England Ethnic News, EthnicNewz.org. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express permission of the news source. Contact Newz for more information.

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