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NYC: From exile to refuge [Photos]


March 3, 2009
By Misha Cohen

PHOTO ESSAY

Click image to start slideshow

After nearly two decades in a refugee camp in Nepal, Chet Nath Timsina and his Bhutanese family were resettled by the International Rescue Committee in New York City, where they marvel at skyscrapers and ride the subway to new jobs in their new homeland.

First published in the Huffington Post

Story and photographs by IRC volunteer Misha Cohen.
 
For almost two decades, over 100,000 Bhutanese have been living in camps in Nepal, without a home or a country to call their own. These refugees are ethnic Nepalese who lived peacefully, as did five generations of their ancestors, in the southern lowlands of Bhutan. But in the early 1980s, the king of Bhutan introduced a policy known as Bhutanization intended  to preserve the cultural purity of the northern Druk Buddhist majority, their anthem, “One Nation, One People.” The ethnic Nepalese were persecuted, stripped of Bhutanese citizenship, classified as illegal immigrants, and banished from their homes.

Chet Nath and Uma remember when their families were ordered to leave their country. Confused and afraid, they fled to refugee camps that had been established by the Nepalese government and the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “There is a constant insecurity that you have inside of you when you are a refugee,” says Chet Nath. “You can see depression in the faces of refugees. At least I can speak of the Bhutanese refugees. They have lost their charm. I think I look like that.”

Forced to live in temporary camps in Nepal and denied the right to work, they were unable to earn money to provide for their needs. “Education was the only wealth we could accumulate while in exile,” says Chet Nath. He and Uma received bachelor’s degrees while in the camp, traveling by bus to attend classes in neighboring India.

After living in the camp for 12 years, limited to the rice and potatoes provided by nonprofit agencies and without money to support their siblings’ education, Chet Nath and Uma vacated their 8x15-foot double hut, shared by 13 people, in search of forbidden work. The couple found jobs as English-speaking teachers in private schools, which they kept for five years, undetected by authorities. Had they been discovered, they would have been sent back to the refugee camp indefinitely.

All this time, Chet Nath and Uma hoped to return to their native country. But in 2007, with no reparation in sight, they applied for resettlement in a country that could offer them basic human rights. Following a year-long application process with the UNHCR, they were granted resettlement in the United States—which had agreed to accept 60,000 refugees. They were informed of their departure date, Feb. 3, 2009, only two days before their plane would take off for New York.

In those two brief days, they resigned from their jobs, bid farewell to their family and friends, and shifted through their personal belongings and precious family mementos, taking only what they could squeeze into three 50-pound bags. They left without seeing so much as a photograph of their adopted home.

Arriving at JFK airport, they were welcomed by the International Rescue Committee. Their case manager, along with IRC staff and volunteers, would help them find jobs and make the transition to life in the West. The IRC has partnered with the U.S. Department of State to resettle 1,000 Bhutanese refugees in fiscal year 2009. Although Chet Nath and Uma have arrived during difficult economic times, they are overjoyed to have the chance to live and work freely … for the first time in their lives.

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33 comments

Comments

Wow...so looking forward to

Submitted by Megan Mills (not verified) on October 20, 2009 - 1:00am.

Wow...so looking forward to reading the rest of their story. We have so much to learn from them- I can see that already. Thank you for your willingness, excitement and passion to share their story with us Misha!

yes, they have been done

Submitted by abbas khan (not verified) on September 25, 2009 - 6:50am.

yes,

they have been done great.
i would also thanks IRC to support them.

great!

go head for this nice of ur achivement.

thanks

There hundered thousand of

Submitted by neelam (not verified) on September 24, 2009 - 8:49pm.

There hundered thousand of refugee are in different parts of word
inneed of help and support as like Chet and uma. so who can help them so we can have hear real life of them

This is a great story that

Submitted by margaret tate (not verified) on September 21, 2009 - 4:35pm.

This is a great story that shows how when people come together to help each other, God smiles down on them. I am so happy for this is a happy ending story and for this family, my heart goes out to them for there determination. IRC is a great organization, that is loving and caring, keep up the good work.

What a journey. I wish them

Submitted by Kwali (not verified) on September 21, 2009 - 1:52am.

What a journey. I wish them all the best with their new life in the U.S. and thank IRC for helping them. Just a reminder that as refugees they will have to apply to adjust their status at exactly one year after entering or they may be detained. Best of luck with everything.

This is humanity this is true

Submitted by Imran Ali (not verified) on September 17, 2009 - 2:20pm.

This is humanity this is true spirit.will done.
Doing like this we can make the world a piece of peace,happyness,sympathy and love.

Yes, volunteers should report

Submitted by Abulgasim (not verified) on September 17, 2009 - 1:24am.

Yes, volunteers should report and write about such stories, Misha and the IRC Organization, excelent work done. IRC is known over decades of good and professional work. Welcome back for the family, have a good stay. We need to hear good news from the family.

This is a heartwarming story

Submitted by Ehrton (not verified) on September 16, 2009 - 2:38pm.

This is a heartwarming story of a beautiful family. Naomi and I welcome them to the U.S. The photos and comments brought tears to my eyes, partially for the pain they must have endured but happiness to see they have arrive with the help of IRC. They will make wonderful citizens of this country.

Chet Nath is my friend, and

Submitted by DJKhaling (not verified) on September 16, 2009 - 1:51pm.

Chet Nath is my friend, and Uma my ever remembered sister/student. Thanks IRC for doing everything to this family. Love to Kushal.

Great work by IRC. I have

Submitted by Mushtaq (not verified) on September 16, 2009 - 1:31pm.

Great work by IRC. I have applied for this Org and hope to work soon for this great Org.

Misha, my friend, your photos

Submitted by Amanda (not verified) on April 26, 2009 - 2:16pm.

Misha, my friend, your photos and the visual chronicalling of this family is AWESOME! I truly hope that this is a very awesome beginning for you and Chet Nath's family being so interconnected. I know that both you and they may stay tired, but please continue to work tirelessly as I truly believe that this story will inspire others. Peace - Amanda.

I am happy that IRC is making

Submitted by santosh sharma (not verified) on April 8, 2009 - 4:29am.

I am happy that IRC is making the Life of Chetnath and his family easier. Best of luck to the family.

I wanted to say "welcome" to

Submitted by Eva (not verified) on March 31, 2009 - 7:41pm.

I wanted to say "welcome" to the family and all those who are given an opportunity to begin again. The road might not always be easy, but they can begin again and build their new life. Thank you, IRC, for making this possible!

Dear Chet, Uma, and

Submitted by Ruthie (not verified) on March 31, 2009 - 6:43pm.

Dear Chet, Uma, and Kushal,

Just today I read your heart-touching story. Welcome to your new home!!! I wish you peace, joy, and abundant blessings in your new life here. You are in my heart and in my prayers.

Shazia--thanks for your

Submitted by admin (not verified) on March 18, 2009 - 5:05pm.

Shazia--thanks for your interest in working with the IRC. You can learn about IRC career opportunities on our Web site at www.IRCjobs.org.

Thanks, everyone for your

Submitted by admin (not verified) on March 18, 2009 - 5:04pm.

Thanks, everyone for your comments and for following the family's story. We're excited to share part 2 with you, coming this week.

intersted to work for irc pls

Submitted by shazia (not verified) on March 15, 2009 - 6:54pm.

intersted to work for irc pls give me chance to work under ur kind control

I look forward to reading

Submitted by Joslyn (not verified) on March 11, 2009 - 10:18pm.

I look forward to reading more about this story and seeing additional photos. It's an awesome opportunity to learn about this issue and I hope more people are exposed to this family's story.

What a wonderful story of

Submitted by Kaitlyn (not verified) on March 11, 2009 - 4:53pm.

What a wonderful story of hope and perseverance. The photo of Kushal is beautiful. Looking forward to hearing more about the family as they transition to life here in NYC. Welcome and warm wishes!!

Great story and pictures! I

Submitted by aura (not verified) on March 9, 2009 - 1:16am.

Great story and pictures! I have never read about the life of refuges in the world. Thank you IRC for such and amazing work and for sharing the stories. I am looking foward to learn more about this amazing family. Their life story is very encouraging. I will have them in my prayers as they adapt to their new life.

It was very disheartening to

Submitted by Rohit Rai (not verified) on March 7, 2009 - 1:34am.

It was very disheartening to see many Nepalis being kicked out from their house and property. Their lives were very difficult and uncertain in the refugee camps. So, it is a good idea to resettle them in the first world nations to give them a chance to live their life. As a Nepali, I'm happy to see them glad in the pictures.

A realistic and touchy story,

Submitted by ADHIKARI,Parash(Damak,Nepal) (not verified) on March 6, 2009 - 6:46am.

A realistic and touchy story, which will encourage living a happy life thinking that "Light comes after every darkness" for the refugees around the world. Best of luck, to Chet Nath and his family for the new world which is full of light and will lead them to prosperous future.

I am ChetNath's youngest

Submitted by Manav (not verified) on March 6, 2009 - 4:21am.

I am ChetNath's youngest brother from refugee camp in Nepal and was overenjoyed to see all the photos about their life in US.I think i will know more about them through this web.I wish I were there with them.

What great work the IRC is

Submitted by Wendy (not verified) on March 5, 2009 - 1:58am.

What great work the IRC is doing and how I am rooting for this Bhutanese family to do well in my hometown, New York. Great story-telling and photos. I'd love to hear more about what happens to these refugees and others from the "Shangri-La" of Bhutan.

What a great project! I look

Submitted by Jill (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 9:22pm.

What a great project! I look forward to reading more about this family as their journey continues.

Powerful photos and story. I

Submitted by Kelly (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 9:12pm.

Powerful photos and story. I felt like I met them at the airport. I am eager to hear more about this family and I pray for a peaceful adjustment to their new home.

Well told in a way to provide

Submitted by Anna (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 6:55pm.

Well told in a way to provide historical context and overlayed with intricate & personal thoughts and experiences! Interested to hear more about the family's mental + emotional preparation with only 2 days notice before their life change in America.

It sounds like IRC is an

Submitted by Barbie (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 6:52pm.

It sounds like IRC is an amazing organization that strives to help those who truly need it. This family seems to have an enduring spirit, and I'm praying that they will find the sense of stability they are looking for in their new country.

This is amazing! All the

Submitted by Caleb (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 6:00pm.

This is amazing! All the blessings to Chet Nath and his family.

Thought provoking! I feel

Submitted by Penny King (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 5:10pm.

Thought provoking! I feel like I have met Chet Nath and his family. The photos drew me into the story of these refuges. The words allowed me entrance into their world. I am looking forward to learning more about them as they transition into a whole new way of life.

This is only a story among

Submitted by som kafley (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 2:38pm.

This is only a story among many stories.Thanks for rewriting.

Heartwarming story and well

Submitted by Teri (not verified) on March 4, 2009 - 12:36pm.

Heartwarming story and well told. Pictures also conveyed a sense of intimacy with this brave and tireless family.

The pictures are gorgeous!

Submitted by Kelly (not verified) on March 3, 2009 - 11:01pm.

The pictures are gorgeous! Chet Nath and his family have not lost any of their charm.

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