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Refugee Assistance Program
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Read
the UN High Commissioner's message
2006 Annual Report
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“This is like having been given our
lives back” says Ghezai Zeweldi of Ethiopia about resettling
in Winnipeg after 15 years of living in refugee camp in Ghana
with his wife, Dehab and two children. “Now I can pursue
my career in truck driving as my wife learns English as a
second language. Eventually my wife hopes to pursue a career
in the health care field.” |
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As the people of God refugees, cry out in desperation and move
from one place to another, with no place to call home, the MCC
Manitoba Refugee Assistance program continues to demonstrate God’s
love by inviting such ones to come live in our neighbourhoods,
our communities and our society through sponsorship. As the refugees
arrive, we realize that this experience does not leave us untouched.
Like butterflies we learn to live in ways, we rise beyond ourselves
towards God and others.
July 26 marked the arrival of one long awaited Russian refugee
family, the Zemlianskaia’s. The fact that this Russian family
had not been recognized as refugees by the United Nations for
Refugees made it nearly impossible for us to have confidence in
their chance for resettlement. Like a mighty widow, MCC Manitoba
Refugee Assistance Program has learned that it pays to be persistent
when living under the direction of God in helping those in need.
Our thanks go to Prairie Rose EMC for going an extra mile in advocating
for the Zemlianskaia’s.
Highlites
- ·While there is an attempt by Citizenship and Immigration
to re-vamp the Private Sponsorship Program, MCC Manitoba and our
constituent groups continue to work extra hard in sponsoring refugees.
This year, over 50 refugees have been resettled in Manitoba. We
have about 70 cases submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
- This past year, the Refugee Assistance program, as a liaison
member in the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) Gender and Anti-Racism
core group, was invited to participate in CCR Gender Based Analysis
Project. Participation in these committees ensures equitable participation
within the Canadian Council for Refugees, the research project
serves as a resource that provides direction in the resettlement
of gendered refugees.
- Participated in the planning of a Mennonites, Refugees and
New comers 1979 –present History conference whereby this
program focused on Mennonites and African refugees.
- To ensure successful resettlement and integration, MCC Manitoba
participated in a needs assessment research project which looked
at refugee and new comer housing conditions.
- Participated in the Improving Access Project. This project,
conducted by the Brandon Regional Health Authority and Nine Circles
Community Health Center, aimed at improving access to services
for the newcomers immigrant population affected by HIV/AIDS in
the in the Brandon and Winnipeg areas.
It is an honour and a privilege for me to have served in the
above mentioned program activities.
Mukai Muza, Program Coordinator
Advisory Committee:
Deborah Martin-Koop,
John Wieler,
Joan Alty
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