Rivertowns for Refugees 2024 Newsletter
"SUEÑOS DE UN REFUGIADO"
Nací de una mujer hermosa,
que se llama VENEZUELA,
dama de excelsa belleza,
y espíritu de indomable guerrera,
que ha sido maltratada,
pero nunca dominada,
y aunque se encuentra secuestrada,
el bravo pueblo lucha por liberarla.
Su vientre es sagrado,
pues de allí nací yo,
también treinta millones,
y el gran LIBERTADOR,
El padre SIMÓN BOLÍVAR,
que cinco naciones libertó,
orgulloso de mí patria,
Donde esté me siento yo.
Días que llevo sin verla,
pues el tirano me sacó,
me refugie en Colombia,
y hoy me encuentro en New York,
los sueños no se mueren,
cuando sientes mucho Amor,
ojalá que Lady Liberty,
Escuché mi clamor,
LIBERTAD para Venezuela,
le agradezco por favor.
Venezuela tiene nombre de mujer ❤️
"DREAMS OF A REFUGEE"
I was born to a beautiful woman,
who is called VENEZUELA,
lady of supreme beauty,
and spirit of an indomitable warrior,
who has been mistreated,
but never dominated,
and although she finds herself kidnapped,
brave people fight to free her.
Her womb is sacred,
from there I was born,
along with thirty million others,
and the great LIBERATOR,
Father SIMÓN BOLÍVAR,
who freed five nations,
proud of my country,
wherever I am is how I feel.
I haven't seen her for days,
Well the tyrant took me out,
I took refuge in Colombia,
and today I am in New York,
dreams don't die,
when you feel a lot of love,
I hope Lady Liberty,
hears my cry,
FREEDOM for Venezuela,
I thank you please.
Venezuela has a woman's name ❤️
Your support for Rivertowns for Refugees makes a diffERENCE
Dear Supporters and Friends,
Thanks to your support, Rivertowns for Refugees is fortunate to have the resources to help refugees and asylum seekers find a new home and hope for the future in our communities. The sentiments described in the poem above, written by a recent refugee that we support, echo the sentiments of so many seeking refuge from violence and upheaval in their countries of origin while hoping for peace and stability in their homeland.
As the end of the year approaches, we would like to let you know once again how much your support for Rivertowns for Refugees has meant to families fleeing war and oppression around the world.
We would also like to tell you about some of our achievements over the past year:
- We continue to keep in contact with those we have aided over the years, and we are pleased to report that all are doing well. The Ukrainian family we supported is now settled in Binghamton, NY. They recently informed us that our assistance, financial and otherwise, has enabled them to reach out to others in some of the worst hit areas of Ukraine to, in turn, escape the violence and settle in New York. The family of eight from Afghanistan- --is also doing well: The eldest son is thriving at SUNY Binghamton and the second eldest just received the highest academic award in his senior high school class!We are also helping a relative of this family, a former helicopter pilot trained by the American government to bring his wife and two small children from Kabul to the US.
- We are also assisting a family of three from Guatemala, finding them a place to stay, aiding in ESL lessons, providing job training and finding employment.
- Along with our partners we are supporting two brothers from Venezuela and hope to support other family members arriving in 2025. Donated bicycles on display!
- Along with several other organizations and religious institutions in the Rivertowns we were able to assist asylee applicants in Ardsley offering a Thanksgiving meal and gift cards for essential needs.
- In addition to this essential assistance, as an introduction to the United States we also find time to bring some of our families to events such as local concerts, the Bronx Botanical Garden, and a Yankees game!
- We have recently applied to the Welcome Corps to sponsor a new family and hope that they will be arriving in early 2025.