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Refugee - Foster Parent Training
Refugee Monthly Foster Parent Training
Cultural and/or mental health topics are addressed each month. Spanish interpretation is always available. For more information contact Kristin Meyer at 616.254.7730. view orientation and training dates
Burmese Refugee Situation - Recent News
 Approximately 12,000 Chin refugees are fleeing from a life of terrible conditions in their home country of Burma. Many of these refugees fled to Malaysia in hopes of escaping torture and other forms of persecution on the basis of ethnic, religious or cultural identity by the Burmese’s military regiment. Persecution on the basis of religion is the most common form of persecution experienced by the Chin people. In the country of Malaysia the amnesty period for illegal immigrants has expired therefore, as one refugee put it "we are not allowed to live here in Malaysia and we cannot go back to her home country, we have nowhere to go."
The Burmese refugees living in Malaysia either live in a two-bedroom apartment which can house anywhere from 20 to 40 people or live in the jungle in makeshift tents with plastic roofs. In many cases refugees are living in these deplorable conditions for many years. The process to receive refugee status can take up to two years or longer. The prolonged waiting process is a high security and survival risk for these refugees. Refugees waiting for a refugee status determination in Malaysia can be arrested at any time. Along with the threat of arrest on daily basis refugees in Malaysia also have to cope with constant harassment from police officials. Despite the daily hardships many refugees’ face in Malaysia they have to be constantly aware of the fact that more dangerous conditions and harsher form of torture they would await them if they returned to Burma.
The United States Government in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has agreed to start the resettlement process of many of these refugee minors. If you are interested in opening your home to one of these vulnerable children, please contact Dana Anderson, at 616.254.7741 or refugeefostercare@bethany.org.
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