Refugee Crisis
It is such a massive Problem - what can I do?
I don’t know about you, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to watch or read the news. Horrible pictures have invaded our living rooms. We see pictures of parents separated from their children, overfilled boats, buses and train stations, drowning people even dying babies.
It breaks my heart to see so much suffering. I am afraid for these people which have lost and suffered so much. And to be brutally honest, I am afraid for us too. What is going to happen to our society if we care for the massive number of refugees? Are all of these people really refugees? What exactly is a refugee? Webster’s defines a refugee as a person fleeing their country, leaving all of their belongings behind, seeking refuge – (a place of security and protection.) Can we give these broken parents and lost children refuge? Each question is legitimate.
Antebellum Swiss is a blog about the humorous side to integration. However, it would be irresponsible of me to make you think it is always fun or funny. It is not. But integration cannot be compared to emigration. According to the Trauma-Pyschiatrist, Dr.Abdel-Rehim, First the refugees need peace and time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Secondly, they begin to deal with what they have left behind and begin to emigrate. Finally they begin the integration process ( adapting to the new society)I refer to in my blog.
Maybe these refugees will stay and integrate - maybe they won’t. Right now, despite unanswered questions, we can offer them security and friendly hospitality. We can treat them as we would our guests and help however we can.
But how or what can one person do against such a massive problem?
„More and more private persons have contacted us in regards to the Refugees and want to help. The most frequently asked questions deal with donations and offering ideas for different projects,” explained Jakob Gähwiler from the Integration Department, Buchs.
You can help
You can give your time, talents, ideas or even your expertise and work in one of many projects. If you are out of time, maybe you’re not out of money. You can donate; things or money. You could open up your home and invite a refugee for dinner or even to stay.
If you can do nothing else, there is one thing you CAN do –greet them with a smile.
“A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. … Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.” ~Author Unknown
Besides, as someone once said, “Everyone smiles in the same language.”
I put together a list of projects and organizations which can use your help, "How Can I Help?". Thanks to Mintegra Buchs, the St.Gallen Cantonal Evangelical Church and the St.Gallen Department of Integration for the assistance.
© Vicki Gabathuler, 2015 all rights reserved