New Refugee Family Arriving!

The new refugee family our church will sponsor arrives August 22, 2018. The family of 7 are Congolese of Muluba ethnicity, have lived in Zambia for several years, and speak some English, French, and Swahili. They are Christians and the son is age 17, four daughters are ages 15, 12, 9, 5, and most have not attended school past the primary grades. We are looking now for UUCC families to be their new friends, to help them learn English, help the children adjust to school, and we need people to transport them to the grocery store, medical, and other appointments starting in September. We do not know what sizes they wear and will publicize that information on our UUCC web page soon as we show other needs that arise.

High Priority, per Church World Services

Help with job searches so that each household will have a primary breadwinner. Remember that their federal stipend lasts for only 90 days. The CWS caseworker advises each person to take the FIRST job that is offered them, then to look for better jobs later. They especially need help with networking, job applications, and interview preparation.

Items Needed by Families

• Sewing machines: Used machines must be in good working condition. If you choose to buy a new machine, the Singer is offered on Amazon for about $100-$140.
• Used smart phones, used PCs, tablets, or iPads, used printers and technology help. If you donate a used printer, be sure the printer driver can still be accessed online and downloaded. If you donate a used cell phone, it must be cleared of personal data, reset to factory settings, and coded by your cell phone provider for re-use.
• Fresh veggies during the summer: squash, tomatoes, corn, onions are great. Deliver fresh veggies to their ESL tutors.
• Please do NOT buy meat or include foods with meat in them (like canned soups). Muslims eat Halal meat that is blessed as it is killed and they buy it at specialty groceries.
• Help them to connect with food banks. Take them there and show them how to buy food. Welborne Methodist Church in Henrico is near many of our refugee friends’ homes and it provides a food bank.
• Teach English, join our group of 20 people and become the American friends who teach them about our culture. No previous certification or training is needed.
• Provide financial guidance, general skills information. (See below)
• Health care mentoring for women and children like how to set appointment with doctor, when to go to doctor vs. emergency room, how or when to purchase over-the-counter medications and prescriptions, and how to re-apply for Medicaid.
• Clothing and shoes for children
• School supplies donations will be requested at church in August. Choose a child and buy supplies for September.

More detail on what is needed:

Financial Guidance

How do they set up a checking account, order checks, and see a checking account balance? Should they belong to a credit union rather than a bank? What is the importance of getting a credit card? Do they need life insurance? Why is having a good credit rating important and how do you accomplish this? You can help them learn these things.

Helping Children Succeed in School

Monitor the children to see they have the supplies they need and help them with homework and English. Kids learn English very quickly and are very eager to learn! One or two people would be assigned to a family and we could introduce them to our children so they can learn more about our culture.

Organizing Social Events

Help organize periodic events at the church for members and refugees to get together.  Outdoor activities involving games for all ages would be great.  Include the refugees in planning the events so they feel more comfortable.  Sensitivity to food issues will be necessary.

Note: Please let us know if you would also like to be a leader for this effort. Leaders are needed so we can be more effective by dividing responsibilities among us.

For more information, please follow this link to the members area.