International Rescue Committee (IRC)

US - Salt Lake City, UT

Burmese refugees check in for a flight to the U.S.;the IRC will resettle them
Ismail Arafat is stamped out of the country by Malaysian immigration.
Burmese refugees resettled by the IRC, in the new home, Salt Lake City

"Life is good here"

US - Salt Lake City, UT
10.26.2011

Ismail Arafat and Safirah Omar's refugee journey began in 2003 when they left their conflict-ridden native country of Myanmar for neighboring Thailand. From there smugglers transported them south to Malaysia. The IRC helped the young couple resettle in the United States with their baby daughter. "Life is good here," Ismail says. 

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L to R: Principal Brad Sorenson, student Austin Emch, and IRC's Patrick Poulin
Patrick Poulin and Elyse Yerman at the check presentation event
<p>During the drive, students conducted fundraising activities ranging from odd jobs like shoveling snow, to singing on street corners, holding a kiss a llama event and staging a benefit concert.</p>
<p>&quot;What you have done has literally saved lives over the next several months,&quot; IRC director Patrick Poulin told the students. &quot;Even those of us who are humanitarians, you inspire us.&quot;</p>

Students raise $81,000 for refugees

US - Salt Lake City, UT
04.06.2011

Riverton High School outside Salt Lake City has rallied to the cause of refugees and the IRC with results that would put most professional fundraisers to shame. Students also volunteered with the IRC and went out of their way to learn about the refugee experience.

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