Refugees in Austin - Invisible Children's

While we begin our work in helping Austin refugees settle into their new lives here in Texas, it’s important to realize how few refugees ever have the chance to resettle into countries like ours. Luckily, there are a lot of amazing young people in the world working to make a difference for those in need.
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Once refugees have escaped the immediate crisis they faced at home, they are met by an uncertain future. They are often traumatized by the experiences that caused them to flee their homelands; they have only those possessions they could carry with them, and they suddenly find themselves dependent on others for their very survival. Although they may be out of immediate danger, their lives are untenable; their future uncertain. In most cases, refugees flee to countries with fragile economic and political systems that lack the infrastructure to absorb thousands of refugees long-term basis.

Unfortunately, however, many refugees end up spending several years, even decades, in refugee camps where they face overcrowding, lack of privacy, and shortages of basic necessities like food, water, medical care and sanitation. Refugees languish in camps without the right to work, farm, or otherwise provide for their own livelihood. Children lack sufficient educational opportunities (EMM).

Check out more info from the National Episcopal Migration Ministries website: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/emm.htm