Working with USCRI

I've had a desire to do something for refugees ever since the General Women's Session of General Conference a couple years ago when we were told of the sufferings of refugees and admonished to find ways to help. I could never figure out how to get involved in Idaho, but a few months ago I heard that there was a branch of USCRI (U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants) in Albany and I got really excited. Soon after my visit to the United Nations with Megan, I finally made it to USCRI's information meeting along with a few friends from my ward. I was thrilled to learn that there are many ways that I can get involved here! I am particularly interested in tutoring, teaching English, and eventually mentoring families to help them navigate their new home in America, and I love that Jon and my kids can be involved in this and we can serve together as a family! At the meeting we heard about the need for help setting up apartments for some incoming families, and some brave ladies in my ward volunteered to help. I decided to join them, so on Sunday Jon, Jacob, and I found ourselves at a run-down apartment in Albany scrubbing floors, walls, cupboards, and everything else in sight while others cleaned bedrooms and bathrooms and set up furniture. The other families there helping us from our ward decided that they wanted to do more to get the apartment really ready for the family  of 8 that would be coming from Afghanistan soon. So they began coordinating efforts and Jon and I were able to go back two more times to clean, paint, and decorate. By the end of 10 days, over 207 hours had been spent on the project and almost the entire apartment was repainted, more furniture was brought in, pictures hung on walls, curtains put on windows, toys filled the playroom, and more!

I got excited about the opportunity to prepare a welcome meal for the family, so I began searching recipes from Afghanistan and practicing how to make them. Then, along with two other families from our ward, my family was able to meet the Rahmani family at the airport, welcome them to America, and bring them to their new apartment! That was such a wonderful experience! As soon as I met the sweet mother I felt a connection to her and a desire to help her feel welcome and safe in this new life. I got to be there to let her and some of her kids into the apartment for the first time and see their smiles and gratitude. The mother (I still need to learn her name!) kept saying "thank you!" I'm pretty sure that is all the English she knows. My favorite memories of that day are seeing the smile on the 11 year old daughter's face when I showed her her new room, when the mother motioned for me to stand beside her and put her arm around me during a group picture, and when the mom give me 3 kisses as we left. It felt so good to leave them with a warm meal in the oven; I hope they enjoyed it and that it gave them a taste of home in this new land.

I left not knowing when or how I would see them again but hoping that I could! Just a couple days later my friend Cindy mentioned that she was going to bring them a few things and I asked if Katie and I could join her. It was great to see the family settling into their new home. While Cindy and I were helping the father assemble a toddler bed, the sweet mom made us tea and dishes of pistachios and almonds. Cindy shared (through their friend who could translate for us and who just happened to come by while we were there!) that we didn't drink tea as part of our religion but we thanked her profusely and enjoyed the nuts brought from Afghanistan! I also got to deliver them a T.V. a few days later and see the family again. Now I am hoping to find a way to keep in touch and maybe bring my family to talk with them and help them with their English.

Setting up the apartment:

Practicing the meal: Lubia Challow with Qorma-e-Lubai (Afghan spiced rice with kidney bean curry) and Coconut Lentil Curry with plain rice. Yum! I also brought fresh pineapple and mango when I gave the meal to the Rahmani's.

The finished apartment! I'm most proud of the kitchen since that is where Jon and I spent most of our time, but it all turned out so great!

Meeting the Rahmani Family!