refugees – Generation Change

Soccer gives refugees in San Diego a chance

braendlina — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:16:48 +0000

For many refugee children, attempting to adapt to life in the US can be challenging. Language barriers, cultural differences and post-traumatic stress disorder are all obstacles to overcome on the road to resettlement.

But one young recent graduate from San Diego is attempting to make life a little easier for refugees – through soccer. Twenty-six-year-old Mark Kabban’s soccer program, Yalla, has proven to be a huge success with over 200 children participating since it was founded in 2009.

The project makes the most of the children’s enthusiasm for soccer to improve their prospects in education and work, granting them an opportunity to succeed.

Listen to the report by Mischa Wilmers in San Diego:

Soccer gives refugees in San Diego a chance

Mark is a role model for his “kids”

Succeeding in sports gives the kids the confidence to set their sights high

Soccer gives refugees in San Diego a chance

mueserk — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 11:47:58 +0000

The project makes the most of the children’s enthusiasm for soccer to improve their prospects in education and work, granting them an opportunity to succeed.

Listen to the report by Mischa Wilmers in San Diego:

Soccer gives refugees in San Diego a chance

Mark is a role model for his “kids”

Succeeding in sports gives the kids the confidence to set their sights high

Rwandan refugee fights for education equality

mueserk — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:21:03 +0000

From official documents to funding and red tape, refugees in South Africa face numerous hurdles when it comes to attending a university. But Alice Wamundiya, originally from Rwanda, is committed to helping her fellow refugees get an education. She is a founding member and chairwoman of an organization called UTRS – Unity for Tertiary Refugee Students.

Listen to the report by Kim Chakanetsa in Cape Town:

Rwandan refugee fights for education equality

Alice’s father helped give her an appreciation for education (Photo: K. Chakanetsa)

Alice chairing a meeting of the UTRS committee (Photo: K. Chakanetsa)

Fritz Ako Agbor is nearly done with his studies – in part thanks to Alice (Photo: K. Chakanetsa)

Somali refugee combats extremism with hiphop

mueserk — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:57:08 +0000

Islamist militants fighting in Somalia are trying hard to recruit young Somalis. But a young refugee, Shiine Ali, is determined to turn his peers away from Islamic extremism – with his hiphop music.

Listen to the report by Zoe Flood in Eastleigh, Kenya:

Somali refugee combats extremism with hiphop

Sometimes a song can do more than entertain

Rapper brings hope to Kurdish refugees

mueserk — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:25:05 +0000

With fighting increasing in recent months, more Kurds in Turkey are seeking refuge in temporary camps. But a 27-year-old Swedish-Kurd is making the people’s lives there a bit more bearable – with his rap music.

Listen to the report by Jodi Hilton in Diyarbakir, Turkey:

Rapper brings hope to Kurdish refugees

Fans greet Serhado backstage before his performance

Serhado performs at an election rally for Kurdish party candidates in Diyarbakir

The musical festival stage where Serhado and others performed at Mahkmour Camp

Young refugee from Burma organizes medical aid for others

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:12:40 +0000

Halfway between Mae Sot and the Friendship Bridge linking Thailand and Burma stands the house of the Back Pack Health Worker Team, an association that, since 1998, has been giving health assistance to refugees and migrant workers in Thai territory and internal displaced people inside Burma.

A refugee and young mother herself, Snow is the deputy director of the Back Pack organization.

Listen to the report by Roberto Tofani (presented by André Leslie):

Young Burmese refugee organizes medical aid for others

Snow prefered not to be photographed. Here are some impressions from the region. Photos by Robert Tofani.

The Moei River forms a natural border between Thailand and Burma

These Burmese children are pictured on the border with Thailand, on the Thai side

These kids attend a school for refugees, which is run by local NGOs