The Spero Project

The Refugee Experience

What is a refugee?

Simply put a refugee is a person who, typically because of war or persecution must flee their country because of a well-founded fear of their lives and those of their family.  The official definition calls a refugee someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country…"
Article 1, The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugee

A refugee is brought to their designated country having been awarded legal refugee status by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR office in the country of asylum (usually a neighboring country) decides and grants eligibility for refugee status based upon impending thread in the home country.  A refugee awarded legal status has proved that they cannot return home for fear of their life or persecution. Once approved for resettlement, the UNHCR refers the refugee to the government of one of nine countries who participate in refugee resettlement globally.

Example Trajectory

Normal Life at Home >>>Tragic Event (Persecution, Disaster, etc.) >>>Forcibly Removed >>> Fled or Escaped to Neighboring Country >>> Lived in a Refugee Camp for Years >>> Applied through the UNHCR >>> Interviewed and Selected >>> Brought to Third Country (New Home).

Role of the United States

In the United States, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, refugees are legally on the path to US citizenship from the moment they land in the country.  Provided they meet the subsequent requirements during the process, a refugee will gain permanent resident status in under eighteen months and may become a citizen around the five-year mark.

In 2010, the United States is expected to resettle 80,000 refugees and Oklahoma will see approximately 300 of those people.  Currently, refugees recently relocated to Oklahoma City come from Burma, Afghanistan, Congo, Liberia, Iraq, Sudan, and Eritrea.  All of them are here because they have been forcibly removed from their homes, and most have lived in a refugee camp for many years before their move here.  Most have lost some, if not many, family members to violence and they are arriving here in need of a fresh start, but they truly need assistance to make the best of the opportunity they have been given.  Language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of financial resources are among a few of the challenges they face.

What Happens In Oklahoma?

Refugee Resettlement Agencies serve as the key component in a smooth transition into the United States. There are several Resettlement Agencies in the nation but only one in the state of Oklahoma: Catholic Charities. Having agreed to resettle a certain number of refugees per year, their task is to meet, house, and guide the refugees into employment, public programs, and education through in-house programs or referral to supporting agencies. The Spero Project’s work with refugees could not exist if Catholic Charities did not exist, and we count ourselves fortunate to have a working relationship with such an amazing operation.

Resettlement caseworkers are the first to greet the refugee and the first to offer a sense of adjustment to life in America. Even before the client arrives, work is being done on their behalf. Living arrangements are secured and the apartment is furnished and stocked with food, largely through donations. The local community -of the same ethnic origin- is notified and often makes a familiar meal for the new arrival(s).

The caseworker greets the person or family at the airport with a volunteer translator and transports them home.  They offer a general tour of the apartment, appliances & amenities and a brief safety overview before leaving the refugee to rest and recoup. The following month is brisk with appointments and orientations. Public assistance. Social Security. TB. Immunizations. School enrollment. English as a Second Language (ESL), and more.

In Oklahoma, social services may be provided by the Resettlement Agency for as little as thirty days or as long as six months. After this period, additional assistance may be accessed through other social service agencies like the Vietnamese American Association, however the Spero Project understands the intense nature of resettlement and seeks to assist with longer term needs to see refugees not only fully adjust, but thrive, to life in America. We desire to partner the resources of the local church with the needs of the International Refugee population, specifically through education, job training, social networking, spiritual growth, and advocacy.  

Spero:Voice believes it is the call of Jesus Christ to defend those in need, treating them with dignity and offering them the hope of Jesus in practical ways.  We long for a day when people of all nations worship the One True God.  Many of those nations just happen to be right out our front door.