We are so thankful for John Gage and Anna Tucker (and their trucks) for all their help recently with collecting furniture and home set ups. It’s not the glamorous work, but so important in supporting our incoming families. Thank you for your flexibility, strength and humor.
If you want to be like John and Anna and join our brand new Home Set Up Team, please email volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org.
We are putting together Summer Packs to send home with each school-aged refugee child at the end of the school year.
We will provide them with age appropriate books (thanks to the Mansfield Library) for summer reading and information on where to find free activities and meals around town.
We also love to include pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, coloring books, puzzle books and practice math and writing books for all ages. Please consider donating some of those items! Items will be needed by June 2. To donate, bring the items to our office: 939 Stephens Avenue, Suite C, in Missoula.
Thank you!
The country of Eritrea only recently gained its independence in 1993 after defeating Ethiopia in a thirty-year long battle for autonomy. Prior to being labeled an autonomous region of Ethiopia, Eritrea was under Italian control and then later British administrative control. After achieving independence in 1993, Isaias Afwerki was voted in as president. He has continued to rule as president since that time, making him the only president the young country has ever known (The World Factbook). For a great timeline of events in Eritrea, take a look at BBC News Eritrea Country Profile and our page on refugees from Eritrea.
The current population of Eritrea is estimated to be around six million, while the largest city, Asmara, has a population of 712,000. The geographic climate of Eritrea is very diverse. The fertile mountains provide great opportunities for agriculture, but are in direct opposition to the Red Sea coastal plain, known to be the driest place in Africa (infoplease).
Eritrean culture encompasses many of the native populations of the region. The cuisine is similar to that of other African countries in the area, and food generally consists of lots of vegetables on top of an injera. Food is typically eaten without utensils (Eritrean Cuisine).
“It’s pretty amazing to me that some of these countries even allow Americans in. It’s amazing to me that some people in these countries don’t hate Americans, that their knee-jerk reaction isn’t to hate Americans like some Americans’ knee-jerk reaction is to hate Hispanics, for example. They have every reason in the world to say get your ass out of here. But they don’t.
“So why do many people in these countries still embrace Americans? Maybe because despite our past atrocities and unethical behavior we have also helped many people. Maybe our somewhat transparent government is still much better than what they have experienced at home. Maybe it is because the people they have encountered–Americans who actually travel abroad in non-touristy places–are generally kind, helpful and generous. I don’t know, but I wish I did, for it might tell us something valuable.”
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Photo and Interview by Elliott Natz
Soft Landing Missoula is growing! We are excited to be hiring a brand new Volunteer Coordinator position for the summer (June-August). Please consider joining our dynamic, hard working and fun office! Please see our employment page for details and information about how to apply.
“I have tremendous empathy and compassion for these people. If you have any concept of what they’ve been through one can’t help but feel compassion for them and admire their courage and resilience. Some of the guys spent their whole lives in a refugee camp. 18 years. And some of the things they were fleeing in the Congo were abominable. Frankly, I feel some responsibility for the Congo mess. If the US hadn’t aided in the assassination of Patrice Lamumba so long ago, who knows where the Congo would be today. We’ve been on the wrong side of so many situations in the developing world that have ended in such a mess, that to some extent I feel some sense of responsibility as an American. So it just seems important to help. It also is important to show a more generous and welcoming side of America than the current administration presents.”
Dona and Gary both taught in English Namibia while traveling through the country. Dona taught biology courses and Gary computer science. They are now Driver’s Education instructors at Soft Landing Missoula.
Photos and Interview by Elliott Natz
We are really excited to embark on a new journey to help refugee families have the option for a little secondary income this summer as well as the opportunity for our community to enjoy new treats and cuisine from around the world! We have made the first steps, secured the space, and the interest is there–but now we are looking for a little team to head this up and help us out to make it happen!
We are looking for a team leader (or 2!) and additional helpers to work with SLM and participating families in roles of varying time commitment. Team leaders would be in charge of communication with the market staff, the commercial kitchen, the Health Department, participating cooks, and SLM to ensure compliance with regulations and help organize timing of food production. Additional volunteers may help with transportation, helping to set-up and “staff” the booth (with the cooks), and possible help with food production.
We realize this is a lot of time and commitment and are looking for a decent sized team to spread the work around! Are you interested in learning more? Please contact info@softlandingmissoula.org if this excites you too!
By December of 2016 the first Iraqi refugee families arrived in Missoula, and currently a handful of Iraqi families have found a safe home here.
There have been over 3 million internally displaced people in Iraq, and with recent conflicts in Mosul, the number of displaced people only continues to climb (UNHCR Global Focus: Iraq).
The size of Iraq is comparable to the size of Montana, and the people who live there are commonly highly educated as higher education is free for Iraqi citizens. While many of the refugees we receive in the US are well educated professionals, their degrees often do not transfer here and they are usually initially unable to work in similar jobs as they did in their country (Refugees from Iraq).
The image of Iraq most commonly portrayed in the media is one of violence and conflict, but Iraqi culture and tradition is one of the oldest in the world and consists of tasty cuisine, competitive sports, traditional as well as modern music, and prized art and literature (Art and Culture). Common foods to be eaten in Iraq include dolma, biryani, and kebabs, and meals typically have a lot of stuffed vegetables, dates, rice and beans (Iraq Food).
Iraqi music is an important part of the country’s history and also plays a role in the culture of today’s youth. The country is known for three unique instruments: Oud, Iraqi Santur, and the Joza.
Check out our page on Iraq for more general information on the country and our new Iraqi neighbors!
Photography courtesy of the IRC
Comedian and political critic, W. Kamau Bell explores the often misunderstood difference between immigrants and refugees. “United Shades of America” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Source: CNN
The MCAT recording of Soft Landing Missoula Presents lecture, “Eritrea: the Country, Culture, and Circumstance” is now available! Watch now.
