Some Thoughts On Help Needed For Afghan Refugees

Greeting new arrivals at Portland International Airport. Ron made our welcome signs in both languages.

Recently I have not been finding very much time to post and write. One of the reasons why is the volunteer work that my husband and I have been doing with Afghan refugees. This is an update for us and the experiences we are having with those who are arriving and settling in the Portland/Vancouver area. This is also a request for help from those of you who live both locally and nationally, and especially if you can and are called to.

Ron and I have only recently learned that the camps housing the refugees when they first arrive in America from Afghanistan are closing. That will result in an unanticipated large number of individuals and families coming to this area and beyond. And that means that volunteers are deeply needed.

If you or someone you know might want to become involved in our area, please contact the Refugee Resettlement Program/Afghan Placement and Assistance Program through Lutheran Community Services Northwest located at 3600 Main Street here in Vancouver. (https://lcsnw.org/office/vancouver/.) You do not need to live in Vancouver to participate, and anyone from the Vancouver/Portland area is welcome to be of support. Even just greeting and welcoming individuals and families at the airport is a joy to do. Volunteers can set their own pace and do as much or as little as we want.

I’m also finding this link for the refugee settlement program in Portland: https://lcsnw.org/program/refugee-resettlement-program/. I’m sure that there are also many sources to hook into in several cities nationwide. My husband initially just googled "help for Afghan resettlement in Vancouver," which connected us with where we've been able to volunteer through Lutheran Community Services.

Ron and I have been called to really roll up our sleeves and jump in. We’ve been to the airport more times recently than ever before. We have used both our vehicles to take a family of 8 to a medical appointment. We’ve been part of a team moving a multigenerational family of 13, including a week old newborn. We’ve taken two young sisters shopping at an Afghan store in Beaverton. This past weekend we helped with moving and helping a family settle. And yesterday my husband and used both of our vehicles to take a family of 7 — including grandparents, 3 adult children, two grandchildren, and our golden retriever Shira — out into the Columbia River Gorge to see their first waterfalls and to hike at Latourell Falls.

I've been watching, listening to, and reading the news and have been hearing a lot about the “tsunami of hunger” that’s fallen upon the Afghan people who were not able to make it out. Heartbreaking!! And at least we are able to help some of those who did make it out. And for that I’m incredibly grateful. 

 

There are so many different ways that we can express love through our actions. This is just one. May we all find our ways to alleviate suffering, spread generosity and love and caring, and make a difference.

 

Bless us all,

Molly