Nanda, his wife Pabitra and their three children recently arrived in Dallas through the U.S. refugee program. The Sunday after their arrival, they received a warm welcome to Dallas as they participated with more than 40 other families in Northridge Presbyterian Church’s inaugural “Day Out” event for newly arrived refugees.
In coordination with the IRC, on May 20th the church hired a school bus to pick up participants from their homes and took refugees for a day out that included a nutrition workshop, some delicious American food, soccer, and a tour of downtown Dallas!
Sitting in the IRC office after the event, Nanda and Pabitra describe what was “a very exciting day” for them. They met new people, ate new food, and saw new places.
Having only been in the United States for five days, Nanda was not sure what to expect when meeting an American for the first time. In the end, he felt well received. “They’re very polite and willing to help,” he said.
He remembers well what one volunteer said to him. “This is a place for opportunities,” he recalls. “If you work hard, you can succeed,” she told him.
Nanda was 18 years old when he arrived in the refugee camp in eastern Nepal. Pabitra was 14. For 19 years, they lived in the refugee camp before they received the opportunity to apply for resettlement in the U.S.
When asked why they decided to apply for resettlement, they spoke of being unable to return to their home country and the uncertainty that comes with living in a refugee camp. Resettlement was their only option. For them, coming to America is freedom. Most importantly, here, their children have opportunities to learn.
When asked what he hopes for his children, Nanda says, “I don’t know what they will be, but if they study and work hard, the future is bright.”
For information on volunteering with a refugee family in Dallas or Abilene, please email VolunteerDallas@Rescue.org or VolunteerAbilene@Rescue.org
