refugees

Mar 2021 13

Tales From the Border: Bagamoyo, Texas

2021 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

The refugee camp for asylum-seekers is no more. Two weeks ago, the first busload of refugees legally crossed the bridge that spans the Rio Grande River between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas. When they arrived at the Brownsville bus station, a crowd greeted them with applause, cheers, tears, hugs, handshakes, and exuberant joy expressing the start of the end of two long years of suffering in the camp. I was not able to greet that bus, but have been able to greet several since then. Yesterday, the last bus from the camp crossed into Brownsville. Today, the few people left in the camp were taken to a shelter in Mexico and the camp is now empty.

Dec 2020 12

The Camp: Update on immigration at the border of Texas and Mexico

2020 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity

by Mark Redwine

Thanksgiving Thursday, eating turkey, watching football, thankful for all of my blessings, many of which I take for granted. Among my greatest blessings, and greatest heartaches, are the immigrants in the refugee camp on the Mexican side of the border at Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico.

Nov 2018 17

Syrians Are Settling In: An Update on FIRM’s Work with our New Neighbors

2018 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity, Tom Sims

by Tom Sims

One out of every three people in the Central Valley was born somewhere outside of the United States. Four hundred forty-three were born in Syria. For a little over a year, Kings River Life has been tracking some of their stories and the work of Fresno Interdenominational Refuge Ministries (FIRM) walking with them in those stories. This is an update.

May 2018 12

Syrian Refugees: Anisa A. Abeytia’s Hopes for Healing Invisible Wounds

2018 Articles, Mental Health, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu Baker

Anisa A. Abeytia is a writer and researcher with an interest in Syria, the Middle East, and the Refugee crises. Her work is featured in the Hill, New Arab, Orient, Net English, Middle East Monitor Fremmed, Brunei Times, and the Middle East Observer.

Sep 2017 9

Mental Health & the Syrian Refugees Part 2

2017 Articles, Mental Health, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu-Baker

New stories will begin, new futures will start, new hopes will appear, fears will be overcome, challenges will melt away; this is what newcomers face when they begin their path in the United States.

Feb 2017 25

Working with the Syrian Refugees in Fresno

2017 Articles, Helping Hands, Tales of Diversity, Wasan Abu-Baker

by Wasan Abu-Baker

I was born and raised in Palestine. I was brought up in a highly educated household with a father who was politically active and outspoken for the civil rights of Palestinians through non-violent action. This upbringing, faith, family, and friends have instilled in me a desire to motivate others to do well and to advance their opportunities.