Assignment 2 in STUDIO:
There are 18 students who have been assigned the task of working with CNNC to develop schematic designs for the new office located at the Lofts on Lee. We are divided into 4 subgroups; I belong to the "immigrants" group along with Cassandra Bradsfield and Alyssa Hankus. We are responsible for collecting data from the tenants [refuges, clients, immigrants]of the 3 communities that will ultimately help us decide how the new facility can become more engaging to them and less administrative [like]. Subjects to be explored : Cultural Content – Shadowing - Interview
Here are my findings and observations:
Avalon’s population
Central African Republic
DRC – Democratic of the Congo
Sudan
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Burmese refugee camp in Thailand
Vietnamese
GreenHaven’s population
Nepal refugee camp in Bhutan
Burmese refugee camp in Thailand
Vietnamese
West African Congo
As I walked in Avalon’s community center Kara, an AmeriCorps volunteer was able to help resolve _____________ [Central African Republic} anti-virus issue with his laptop. He just seemed to be very excited about having this piece of machinery that was obviously outdated. What was also very obvious was his excitement about his life. He spoke little English and was eager to converse with me. He hasn’t had any interactions with the CNNC’s office but was proud to be in the USA; he actually arrived here through the efforts of a local church. He shared information about his job search as Kara helped with explanations of a few items.
Kara believes that the expansion of the new office could lend itself to becoming an offsite venue to a small group of girls she teaches. She is currently planning on teaching them to cook in her kitchen at her small apartment because it’s bigger than the small kitchen in the community center. FOOD for THOUGHT! She also feels that the outing will be refreshing to them; she describes it as “a change in scenery”.
Younger adults seem more interested in becoming educated, they seem very proud to be here. I meet three young men who were all in school [college] that wore their name badges as they went on about their day. It wasn’t because they forgot to remove them. It was because they felt a part of something that connected them to the USA…the place that allowed them to THINK and be FREE!
__________ doesn’t go to ESL however his sister does, she is a young adult and is seeking to advance her education. ____________ was very helpful and willing to share information because I was a little lost. He was not as intimidated by my presence as the older generations were. He was one of the three young men attending an area college.
This is the generation that could spoke broken English however; understood main ideas of the conversation. They will adapt very well in the US perhaps sacaficing some of their cultural traditions.
Family is as important to them as it is to us however; they seem to rely on each other even more because there are a number of other ethic groups amongst the population and they feel more of a bond within their own household than outside.
Due to the fact that the tenants of these communities are refugees they have trust issues. Many looked at me as an outsider and with uncertainties. They seem puzzled by my presence because they are accustomed to the AmeriCorps staff members and volunteers.
Maintaining their culture is a huge part of the older generations daily life and activities. They like to cook authentic foods and some even like using the fresh air to dry clothes vs. using the electric dryer. Becoming accustomed [Americanized] seems to be a slow process for the older generation. I met a woman ___________ who’s laundry became nearly unmanageable because the washer and drying system / process was as foreign to her as the new land she’s arrived upon. The shrubby at her front door is just too small to accommodate amount of laundry her family had accumulated. However, she still leaves behind the socks of her baby and a few other small garments dangling on the bushes; today’s weather was just irresistible. This is the generation who will probably never become fluent in our language nor desire to become fully. This is primarily because the men are workers and the women are homemakers. There isn’t too much need for them to make a complete conversion as there is for the men.
GlenHaven’s Visit
As Renee and myself walked in the room where the residents were busy painting ______________ turned around and said “TEACHER” with a colossal smile with open arms as she gestured for a routine huge. She was reaching for Renee but I wanted one too! ;o)
She is Montagnard. _____________ is roughly 50 years old. Her generation thrived in the community center’s activities. They appear to be very happy to participate in the kindergarten [like] crafts. They were very proud of their work and showed a tremendous amount of gratitude for the women whom volunteered.
Side bar:
One of the volunteer’s daughters is featured in the January’s edition of “Better Homes and Gardens”. She was very proud to share this information when she learned of the nature of my visit. She was also happy to point out every detail of her daughter’s beautiful home and their family photo.
There were other crafts that the refugees had made previous to my visit, like crocheted necklaces and other unique pieces of jewelry. These items are sold at local crafts festivals and help resupply the crafts and other small needs of the refugees.
The community centers house and volunteers facilitate:
· ESL – tutoring and citizenship classes
· Sewing classes
· Donation storage
· A nurse’s station
· A full kitchen for nutrition classes and Friday cookies
· Computer lab [computers supplied by UNCG]
· Backyard at GreenHaven has a playground with table and benches
· A reading room
· Educational and informational station
· Small office for volunteers
My observations are that it takes very little to make these settlers happy. They come bearing gracious spirits and a strong sense of pride for where they’re from and where they’ve arrived. With a little guidance this population is certain to be productive members of our society.
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