Alec making new friends...

Last Friday night we went back to visit the Yasser family and I brought Alec with me. He was (of course) quite popular and really got on well with the youngest son, Baker, who loved playing with him, and loved that Alec would go running to him when he held his arms out.

Ayser, the mother, made dolma for dinner. I hadn't had any since I was studying in Egypt, so I was very excited. Alec loved it and was calling out 'yum, yum' between bites. She took the time to explain the recipe to me, so I may try it out soon.

Ayser also enjoyed swinging Alec around...and he was laughing aloud.

Larry brought over a guitar for the older boys and he and Omer were enjoying trying to learn some chords. Alec decided to join in the fun as well...

Once again it was a fun evening and everyone was so great about Alec roaming around! We look forward to visiting again.

Refugee Work...

I wanted to share a little of what's been exciting me lately. During my Anthropology course this summer I taught a section on Sudanese refugees. The students read a novel on the refugees re-settling in Minnesota (Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives), then watched a documentary on two boys and their difficulty in assimilating to America (Lost Boys of Sudan). My students were really touched and wanted to help out.

I require them to write an ethnography on a new culture they are expected to go study during the course. So, 3 of them were determined to visit some refugees for their project and continue aiding them long-term.

After a frustrating day of calling all the refugee charities in the US, I was finally directed to the 2 in Vegas. Unfortunately I'd left emails and voicemails with both already! I called the Catholic Charities again and hit jackpot!! Nicole, a director there picked up and had read my email. We pushed and she agreed to come speak to my class Monday night and take my 3 students and I to visit a family Wednesday night.

So, we met up with Nicole at an 'El Pollo Loco' to fill out some paperwork and give her some more donations that the class had gathered.

Here's Nicole (from the Charity), Mark, Larry and I:


Mark, Larry & Tania are my students:



We piled into our cars and headed over with our 'goodies'. Here's Larry, Mark & I unloading the car:


The Yassar family are refugees from Baghdad, Iraq. They were so excited to see us and practice their English. Larry clicked really well the boys; Omer (15), Ali (17) & Baker. Omer was kidnapped one day by the Iraqi Guard. A black car drove up to him playing on the street and called him by name in the car. They starved him (fed him once a day) and beat him for 6 days, until the American Army found him:


The mother, Ayser connected well with Tania and I. She was a high school PE teacher at a women's school.

Mark was trying to help Yassar figure out his waist size so Larry could order his work clothes, here's one way to do it:


Our big group shot at the end:


I was only planning to stay for a few minutes. Since we've decided to move to Colorado in 5 weeks, I know I can't spend a lot of time developing a relationship with them. But, I really enjoyed it and now we're having a pizza party/movie night Friday night with them! Ayser wants me to bring Alec over so she can meet him. Which means I'm already attached and will spend time with them until we move. I'm excited to start this up in Colorado now!