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Settling refugees, especially from the African continent where in general the camps are not particularly safe or well -serviced & nearly all the people we receive have been traumatised, including torture, is no easy thing. It is very hard on the individuals, and a complex task in the society where they are being settled.
One thing I know from this is that we often get African refugees in particular who have been 10+ years in refugee camps, and have children who know no other life. These kids in particular, while they more quickly grasp the new local culture than their parents, also have real difficulties in our education system and with integration because their life in the camps has been so divorced from a normal routine & normal societal rules. So anything you can do to increase their education, to help them have structure in their life, is vital.
For eg, I work quite a bit here with local sporting organisations to help the refugee kids get involved. We've had incidents like a whole team of African soccer players being banned from the local competition because they assaulted the umpire (!) - basically because they aren't used to organised structures for play, and of course they are under enormous stress, culture shock etc. in so many ways, that it came out on the field. This is being fixed, but gives you an idea.
best of luck to you. If I have any bright ideas, I'll share. "This can't possibly get more disturbing!" - Willow
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