Washington DC (USA), June 22: The Bhutanese citizens, Khagendra Baral and wife,Ganga spoke on behalf of fellow-Bhutanese at a gathering at National geographic Society ,Grosvenor Auditorium on the occasion of World Refugee Day on June 18.
- Khagendra (left) with the UNHCR good-will ambassador (middle) and his wife, Ganga
“We were invited to give a small presentation by Catholic Charities and we shared our stories and experiences”, said Khagendra.
Ganga said that though she got only five minutes to speak, it was really an inspiring moment where even the Chief of the UNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Gutterres was present.
There were representatives from State government, UNHCR’s good-will ambassador Angelina Jolie and Rose Mapendo, the recipient of humanitarian year award in the occasion. Mapenda is a refugee woman from Congo.
An American website wrote that they spoke movingly of their desperation in the camps and their gratitude to America for giving them a home.
“But that was not the end of their struggle, they said, as they described how they had to look for jobs, a home, and medical coverage,” carried the news portal.
The UNHCR’s ambassador said, “Refugees are the most vulnerable people on Earth. Every day, they are fighting to survive. They deserve our respect.”
The connection and referral were made by Catholic Charities while the UNHCR sponsored their to and fro transportation and other itineraries.
Khagendra and Ganga, who were resettled in America under third country resettlement program in 2008, have been assisting the Bhutanese and other nationals for building news life in Arizona.
By Kazi Gautam, New York
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:45 am
congratulations to both of you. Pic with Angelina Jolie! great. If not me, at least a Bhutanese family got to take a pic with Angelina Jolie. I am proud that you both spoke at the conference and highlighted the issue of Bhutanese refugees but at the same time I am jealous that you got to chat (probably) and take a pic with Angelina. man, i wish that was me.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:39 am
Hi,
Good to see you both carying out outstanding job in the land far far away.
We are no more voiceless and the change is certain in the way the people knows about Bhutan. Congratulation once again.
BTW both of you look terrific in pic.
My best wishes for coming days too.
Bikram
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Things are beginning to show up finally after a span of tumultuous time. Bhutan govenrmnet may not be too happy seeing the publicity, but the first thing for us immediately is to make ourselves known. I should say this is a big progress. Keep it up!
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Khagenda, Ganga:
You have an amazing story. It is great how you were able to make such a transition and then reach back to help others.
Mike Darus
June 24th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Friends in Washington DC,
Hats off for you all. Wonderful achievement for you and all of us. This high profile link will surely play a equal card to expose GNH policy. Did you guys have an opportunity to talk about we are the victims of GNH policy in Bhutan.
If we all try to link such hight profiles, our community will achieve new heights and true exposure of how we were exploited will be informed to the world.
Is there any effort to invite her to our camps?
Congratulations!
Parsu
Melbourne
June 24th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Pretty good post. I just came across your site and wanted to say
that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you write again soon!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Dear Ganga, Khagendra, Parsu and Ram Karki
I have no ideas who are Ganga, Khagendra and Parsu. But I heard that Ram Karki is from Timai camp and now in Norway. Apfanews have wrote stories on these Bhutanese, who seem to be active and forward in America, Australia and Norway. I’ll be thankful if I get their address so that I can email them.
I am a Bhutanese citizen from Sanischare camp and currently teaching in a private school in Biratnagar. I have applied for resettlement just two months back and we are even not called for getting the papers signed at UNHCR Damak.
I have just finished my basic course in computer and little interested in emails/internet. A friend from Beldangi-III, Upendra Pyakurel gave me the address of Bhutanese website apfanews.com which is a favourite for me now-a-days. I have known to use yahoo and Google also.
Previously I just heard of Bhutan Reporter. I even once heard Saranarthi Sarokar from Pathibhara since my wife suggested me to tune one evening. I really felt sad since a person read out a sad story of a refugee called Rebika. She was not Bhutanese. The story touched me well.
Pyakurel shared some concepts how are apfanews media run and Bhutan Reporter published. I was touched by the story how refugee media are run. Every time, I read good stories of achievement, corruption in camps and hardships of refugees. But, these refugee journalists have not written their hardships and struggle. I heard that Bhutan reporter is stopped. Can anyone from news tell me if this is true!
I have saved some money for buying some goods when I get ready to resettlement. But, I want to make some donation to Bhutan reporter if it is stopped. I think it is important for school children in camps. Also I want to collect its old copies. How do I get?
I think people like Parsu, Ganga, Khagendra and Ram Karki must think seriously how we make these poor media rich. I heard that many Bhutanese refugees study apfanews news. Apfanews should open one account so that people will start contributing. I will contribute first if you do this. But Bhutanese will not get account in Biratnagar, what about in Kathmandu. Or anyone in America or Australia open account and we contribute from Nepal. I can pay 100 nepali rupees in a month.
Chatra Bdr. Gurung
Biratnagar
chatra.gurung@yahoo.com
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June 24th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Congratulation to both of them!
It’s such a authentic that they rise the voice concerning to a jobs in Washington DC. We are really in need of jobs.
I really love how the goodwill ambassador show a enthusiasm to the people(refugees) under such depression and inconvenience period of time.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Dear Chatra Bdr Gurung,
Thank you for your bringing the issue. Will communicate with the reporters of news. If there are opportunities, we will definitely look into doing some help from all of us. Your concern is our concern too. Bringing up the media profile is all of our duty and we all should join hands.
Wish you all the best for the TCS process.
Parsu
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 am
Nice to see you both of you ! congratulation for the good job.
jaya sangroula
kathmandu,
nepal