Page 14 - 2021 Spring Summer Our Hands

NEW AMERICANS

REFUGEES BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT

olly Bungala is an African refugee, settled by complete and happy with life. My heart is empty until
Samaritas, living in Southeast Michigan. He was they arrive, but I am hopeful."
Ra banker in his native country - The Democratic
Republic of Congo - but had to escape into the Many of the refugees Samaritas has assisted have been
wilderness on foot when long-standing violence separated from their families for three or more years.
intensified and several of his family members were Beyond the humanitarian
killed. aspect of enabling
refugees to come to the
He hid for months until he found a refugee camp, U.S., there's an economic
where he lived for seven years. It was there that he met rationale as well. With
the woman who would become his wife, and they had employment and
two sons. education support, 86
Eventually, Rolly was granted asylum in the U.S., but percent of the refugees
since he had arrived at the camp alone and had been in Samaritas’ programs
processed as a single person case, his family wasn’t are self-sufficient within
allowed to accompany him. 180 days of arrival.

While waiting for them to come to the States, Rolly Your support for
secured a green card and worked two jobs at a local the New Americans
hotel and restaurant before landing a higher-paying job programs is critical to
as a forklift driver for a Roseville company. its success. We are
looking for mentors,
Earlier this year, Rolly shared his story with a Crain’s donors, and also
Detroit Business reporter. He told her that he video program staff. To volunteer or to become a
chats through WhatsApp with his wife and sons, now mentor, contact Lauren.Brosch@samaritas.org and to
ages 6 and 11, but it's not the same as having them donate, visit Samaritas.org/Donate.
here.

News that U.S. President Joe Biden plans to expand Help Children at the Border
refugee resettlement in the U.S. has given him hope
that many refugees overseas will soon have a chance So far this year, thousands of unaccompanied
to reunite with their family members. children are coming to the United States from
Central America to reunite with family members
"I'm waiting eagerly for my wife and kids to join me here or escape violence, war and poverty in their home
in the USA," Rolly said. countries. The wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
has spurred more migration from this region
"I have a new job, a car and a home. I'm happy with my recently, and many of these children are being
work. I work more hours and it is not as tiring as my held in jail-like detention centers because of
previous job. Therefore, I feel I will be able to support my tremendous overcrowding.
family when we reunite one day here."
By giving to Samaritas, you can help youth in a
new country, like an unaccompanied child, get the
Not having his family here has been difficult, Rolly support they need today!
shared with the reporter.
Donate Now: Samaritas.org/Refugee-Crisis
"I feel empty in my heart, and I cry sometimes even
at work... I miss my family so much! "I'm simply not

One of our former staff member’s father been supporting Rolly and other New American clients,
and he and his daughter delivered a car for Rolly. Neither wanted to be identified, but both
emphasized the impact the community support has on newly arrived refugees.
We know not everyone has the means to donate large items such as a car, but every donation
to our New Americans program is so special to us. Household items are always welcome, as are
offers of mentorship and connections to job training and employment. You can even text to give
by texting “Samaritas” to (855) 450-0515.

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