Seeking Refuge

Today, Patrick sits down with Lewis Mudge, the Director of Central Africa for Human Rights Watch. Lewis talks about his career as a humanitarian, monitoring human rights abuses in the Central African Republic and surrounding countries. He discusses the state of the CAR today and the pursuit of justice in the country.

Click here to see Human Rights Watch's official report on the CAR: https://www.hrw.org/africa/central-african-republic

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

https://twitter.com/refugepodcast

Patrick Anderson

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW) Closing Track: Above and Below - Never Forget (http://bit.ly/2nNfw7Q)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

Patrick sits down with New Hampshire State Representative Safiya Wazir. Safiya is from Afghanistan and is the first refugee to be elected to the New Hampshire State Legislature. They talk about her journey to the US, her life as an activist, being a woman in NH politics, and being a young mom through all of this. She also shares a hopeful view of the future for refugees, women, and all Americans.

If you're interested in learning more about Safiya's political journey, check out this article: https://www.concordmonitor.com/Concord-NH-Ward-8-state-rep-race-result-Safiya-Wazir-Dennis-Soucy-Concord-Monitor-21336355

For more information about the refugee crisis in Afghanistan, see this synopsis from the IRC: https://www.rescue.org/article/afghanistan-what-you-need-know-about-one-worlds-longest-refugee-crises

Connect With Us:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW) Closing Track: Above and Below - Never Forget (http://bit.ly/2nNfw7Q)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

Jackie sits down with Firas Al-Khateeb, a communication and public information officer with the UNHCR in Iraq. They talk about the role of the UNHCR in the refugee crisis, the current state of displacement in Iraq, and the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on the country. They also talk ways people in America can help refugees around the world and even practice a bit of Arabic!

Websites mentioned in this episode (featuring goods made by refugees!!!):

MADE51: https://www.made51.org

Preemptive Love Shop: https://preemptivelove.shop

In addition to these groups, many refugees around the US and the world also have small businesses making artisan items like these or other products and services! We encourage listeners to research refugee enterprises in their area and shop with them. Reach out to us if you are interested in learning more!

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW) Closing Track: Above and Below - Never Forget (http://bit.ly/2nNfw7Q)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

Today, we sit down with new author Dung Duong. Dung is an optics engineer, entrepreneur, and former Vietnamese refugee. He talks to us about his new book, Shifting Optics, and tells us about lessons he learned from his life and his career, as well as his hopes that listeners can look at life from a new perspective.

To buy Dung's book, go here: https://www.amazon.com/Shifting-Optics-Perspective-Dung-Duong/dp/1544515332

To see more about Perspective Charity, check out their website: http://www.perspectivecharity.org/

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

https://twitter.com/refugepodcast

Patrick Anderson

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

Today, our very own Esha and Aidan review the 2007 documentary film Facing Sudan about the aftermath of the Sudanese Civil War. The story covers the war, the humanitarian fallout, the Lost Boys, and the genocide in Darfur. (Plus, Salva makes an appearance!) Esha and Aidan talk about their thoughts on the movie as well as what's changed since its release.

For the latest updates on Sudan, check out this 2019 country report from Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/sudan#

Also check out the BBC's country profile on Sudan: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094995#:~:text=Sudan%20has%20long%20been%20beset,and%20killed%20more%20than%20200%2C000.

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

This week, we talk with Mike Spence and Mowlid of Athletics United in Logan, Utah. Mike is the executive director of the program, and Mowlid is a student from Somalia who participates in it. They foster community building, especially offering resources and connections for the refugee students in their town. Mike and Mowlid tell us what the club does, how it helps, and what college students can do to get involved with refugees in their own communities.

To learn more, check out their website: https://www.athleticsunited.us/

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

This week, we talk with musician Ephraim Bugumba, a Congolese refugee. He tells us about his family's incredible journey to safety after fleeing their home in 1999 following a massacre in their village and his life in the US. Ephraim also talks about the meaning behind his popular song "Stormz" and what is next for him musically. Ephraim is also a viral TikTok sensation. You can check out his videos here: https://www.tiktok.com/@ephraimbugumba?source=h5_m

Here is a link to Ephraim on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gtH8goYkYOaa6MxaOxISr

For more information about Ephraim's use of TikTok to tell his story, check out this article: https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-ephraim-bugumba-0814-20200818-b5xerqscozboxnljpe4rd5v32q-story.html

Ephraim was also a standout Tiny Desk contestant! https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2019/07/14/741147765/this-tiny-desk-contestant-processes-pain-through-music-it-became-our-safety-plac

For more detail on Ephraim's story and his early music journey, see here: https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ephraim-bugumba-storyteller-sofar-refugee-congo-american-idol/Content?oid=55644968

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

For more information on what is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, see these articles:

We interrupt our regular season to bring you this bonus interview with Mohammed Rafique. Mohammed is a student at the University of Waterloo, and he talks about his experience as a refugee from Myanmar and the desire of refugees to feel known and at home. He discusses his advocacy work with the Rohingya Association of Canada, his meeting with Justin Trudeau, his play I am Rohingya, and the documentary of the same name.

UofSC Students: Check out our social media for details about an upcoming screening of the documentary I am Rohingya on campus as part of International Education Week!

To learn more about the Rohingya Association of Canada, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RohingyaAssociationCanada/

For more information about I am Rohingya, check out the film's website here: https://www.iamrohingyafilm.com/

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been in the news a lot lately with allegations of mistreatment of detainees. We're bringing you a summary of the allegations so far. This story is continually evolving, so we'll bring you updates as needed.

Articles Referenced in this Episode:

Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below!

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any of these social media platforms:

Our Team:

Music:

Sponsors: Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.

This week, we sit down with Yazmin Ullah, a Rohingya activist. She explains the situation in Myanmar and talks to us about the ongoing case in the ICJ against the government for crimes of genocide. Yazmin talks about her advocacy work, her goals for the future, and even her social media presence on Twitter and Tik Tok.

For more info on the Us vs. Them Learning Tool: https://museeholocauste.ca/en/activities/othering/

For info on the Refugees International petition to call Myanmar's actions genocide: https://www.refugeesinternational.org/call-it-genocide

Check out the Rohingya Human Rights Network website here: https://rohingyanetwork.com/

If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on any number of social media platforms:

Opening Track: Ketsa - Where We Are (http://bit.ly/2nKJWaW)

Special Thanks to Maxcy International House for all of their support. To find out more about what they do, go to https://maxcycollege.wordpress.com/about-the-blog/.