There are many kinds of civic citizenship status in society but none is as painful and disrespectful as that of a Refugee; what I was before America took me as its own. The experience is so traumatic on the very own soil that the identity of the soil dissolves and what is left is the painful urge to seek a self – identity that would, at least, respect my own being and entity. That is the quest that drove me to America and I, eventually, found peace in helping similar refugees out with finding their own identity. Since I suffered, I also found peace in reducing the suffering of others who are like me in a position I once was.
Being rejected by own country, I applied for resettlement in US which is typically almost a year – long process, involving a series of interviews, and assessments. Like every individual refugee in US, I was assigned to an NGO named New American Pathways which introduced me to the incredible humane dedication with which such organizations just dived into the process and into the situation fo the assigned refugees to make their life easier. I was treated exactly as a family. They provided me with food shelter and furniture; and also stayed with me until I became capable to live on my own. I was overwhelmed with the humane nature of their work and could not imagine a job more self – satisfying than that of the one they served. It became a dream for me to work in an organization like this to help out other refugees; and eventually my candidature was considered, and now I work for New American Pathways as Arabic interpreter and help them in transportation. It was my current position in the world that led me to consider the fortunate scope of working with such NGOs that help people like me, and, in fact, help myself most in the process by achieving what is most valuable to me; self satisfaction.
My first assignment was to volunteer for a year – long refugee family services in after- school program and I used to help them out with their homework. I taught them Computer and English, and about life is America. Communication used to be a very big problem for the refugees and I used to teach them that very diligently. Being a refugee myself, I could perceive things from their shoes and so understood their puzzles and dilemma perfectly; and would do my best to solve them. I taught them how America differed in cultural, ethical, ethnic and religious values from those of their own, and how best to cope up in the new environment. Out of my personal experience and way of dealing with them, I still feel personally responsible for each of the refugees I am assigned to. Their success gives me a distinct sense of respect and satisfaction for which I chose this profession; a humane profession. On each of their faces, I can see my own reflection and my own triumph in their success and peace.
I never thought I could even make a place of my own in this world, being thrown out as a refugee; but what I do today is what defines my entire existence now. I feel every moment how prudent and perfect my choice of career has been.
Work Cited
McAdam, Jane. Complementary protection. 2007. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nicholson, Frances; Twomey, Patrick. Refugee rights and realities – evolving international
concepts and regimes. 1999. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kenyon Lischer, Sarah. Dangerous sanctuaries. 2008. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
