The danger of separation reveals the power of solidarity in the refugee crisis.
As we’ve recently observed the rapid increase of displaced people worldwide; the harm and dangerous situations they’ve escaped from, to the racism, prejudice, and exclusion they continue to experience in countries where they expected to find peace and solace, I’ve felt quite unsettled and troubled by the mere thought of refugees being subjected to living in discrimination, isolation and inequality, when they were courageous and resilient enough to survive and live through some of the most grueling conditions from their home countries. Refugees, having already been separated from their loved ones, uprooted from the places they called home and excluded from the privileges and access to opportunities that documented citizens of a country usually have, continue to be segregated from society. Separation seems to be our biggest downfall as humanity because in several moments in history, we’ve failed because of our division that manifested itself through the breeding ground of oppression and separation. Moreover, colonialism and racism were successful in Africa because the oppressor brainwashed our people into believing in separation through color and caste, when our greatest strength as Africans, is our solidarity, collectivism, kinship, and sense of community. Resilience has also been one of the significant qualities that refugees have learned in separation. Resilience is defined as the quality to withstand, or to recover quickly from difficulties, the ability to adapt and adjust to difficult or challenging life experiences. For most of us, it may be an optional quality to have, but for refugees, it is a mandatory requirement for survival against all odds. So, after learning of all the treacherous experiences refugees have had, it’s important for us to ask ourselves the question “how can I help”? There are several ways in which we can all help.
Here are a few ways:
Teach your local language to a refugee
While waiting for resettlement, we can offer refugees classes for them to learn our local language for ease of good communication with them and other citizens. This will make them feel welcomed and free to ask questions, answer questions, and communicate new knowledge with enthusiasm. This will change their perspective on how they view education and its relevance to their lives.
Raise awareness about refugees in your community, workplace, school, and on social media.
We live in a world where everybody has different beliefs. To change these negative beliefs about refugees and asylum seekers then there is a need to educate the wider community to increase acceptance, value diversity and to accommodate the values, beliefs, and practices of newcomers.
Organize donation drives, and sponsorships
More donations help assist more families seeking refuge in other countries. These donations can cover up relief food, protection, and hope for a better future. The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.
Invest in a refugee’s future and support their business
Private sectors have an enormous capacity to empower refugees as full participants in the global economy. Refugees are dying trying to provide for their families. More companies have now recognized the enormous economic potential of bringing refugees into their supply chain. The minute we start investing in refugees and support their business, that’s the minute they cease to be refugees, and they can now survive independently.
Volunteer to help refugees
The world is full of chaos, and it’s never easy to make a change. No matter how small you give, it is a gift to all the refugees in the world and a prayer answered to them. When we come together, we can help thousands of refugees and become a light of hope to them in this world that has too much chaos.
Welcome a refugee
We need to understand that refugees are human too, and we should accord them the same rights and freedoms that we enjoy in our countries. We need to be there for refugees and welcome them whenever they appear in our countries, be a new contact in case they need something that they don’t have. Show respect, kindness, and friendship to them and also learn from them too, i.e., their language, culture e.t.c We have to welcome them because at some point we were all migrants from everywhere before we found a permanent settlement and citizenship. We require not give up, but rather give back to the thousands of refugees that we have across the globe.
Schützenstrasse 51, 96047
Bamberg, Germany.
Destiny Joshua Nduka
+491739235739
clever.minds.of.refugees@gmail.com