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
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
good to hear the trouble taken by our commited leaders to travel for the sake of fellow refugees.but wat they ae doing with my favourite actress……….
That was wonderful job. We surely need to lobby such high profile celebrities to build support group. We may not achieve anything immediately but we should not wait thinking same. Now we are allover world and we can do lot more from every corner of the glove. Khagendra is just an example, imagine if we do the same from where we live…
ganesh Subedi
Sanfrancisco
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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dear chatra bdr. gurung, u have rather framed a good story. i dont thik u are a real chatra from biratnagar as u described. i dont think the way u posted will gonna help for the support of any organizations like afpa. y dont u guys come forward straight. Always make a very honest and straight begining, so that the ppl can lay some trust. u know? especially bhutanese refugees are fade off with the fake promises and sameless stunts. comeon guys grown up. anyways the idea is sololey good. we have to support for the good cause.
wow..Angelina Jolie..well guys u better check out her movie about refugees.She told that in this movie she really cried..Movie is ”Beyond Borders” ..Clive Owen and Angelina Jolie..Its fabulous.
Correction…..GLOBE….
Dear Ganga and Mr. Baral,
A wonderful repersentation by both of you.
It is really a good job that both of you have done. We wish you that you get such oppertunities time to time. It is ok Ganga you got only 5 minutes but dont worry you know, your massage seemes to be convyed to them.
It is not like that of the other country which you had to live even without knowing where you were going and for how long. But after a long period of struggle you have come to the treck. We pray to lord that he will always guide you on the right treck
We are really proud that we have people like you.
Please do take care.
You have steped on the soil of human rights and hope now you will realise what freedom means. But please dont forget the people in th camps and ….. who are still under so many obgligations. Who are still waiting for their resettlements. Who are very proud when they heard about you. Your happiness is their happiness. You are their pride and aspiration.
We on behalf of majority of the people here wish you and your family a happy and peaceful life with full of achivements on every steps you take.
God bless YOU.
Kailo Karki
WB
while seems like interesting but everywhere the most saddest part struggle to success,thanks khagendra jee and kaji jee for your efforts
Kudos to Barals for representing the bhutanese mass in the world Refugee day.You must have reasoned out the life in the refugee camp ,resettlement and the difficulties and other hardship we mass experience in the United States as well.Surely this is a good begining for people like us who have come here in and feel everything strange……….like a dream ….and the troubles that come our way
More than the stuff in the article or the stuff that you guys presented in the gathering, Angelina Jolie is standing in the middle. I really am jealous guys.