Testimonies about resettlement
David, Europe
As I was trying to decide how to describe my life here in Germany I had to think about how I had imagined it and how I actually found it, and this saying came to mind.
I do not want to present this honourable nation as a mirage. It is a developed country with a civilised society and advanced technology. It renders support and solidarity for the purpose of world peace and has a philosophy that says 'no' to violence.
It has a great respect for humanity and sympathy for the unloved and uncared for. I feel I made the right choice to resettle in this great country.... Read More
Deep Rose on living outside the camps
I have been out of the camps for about four years. I live an illegal life as I am still registered as a refugee in Nepal. But I think it was a wise step to leave the camps. Living outside of the camps has kept me busy with work and my studies.... Read More.
Hemlal, Canada
I did not see any future in staying in the camps, particularly for my kids who needed immediate support for their education and wellbeing. I also felt that my own skills were being wasted. Most of all being stateless for so long was demoralizing me, so I had to take some step to find better avenues.
You can still support the movement from wherever you are settled, so I felt I could still do something even from far away. I was trying to migrate to wherever it was possible, but I felt that at that time Canada was more welcoming to refugees than any other country. We were the first family to migrate legally from the camp on their own account, which paved a way for others to move anywhere in the world.... Read more
When we first came to the US, we quickly found out that it was not quite like what we had seen on TV. Life was fast, as was traffic and everyone was busy.
Here in California I saw people from numerous ethnic backgrounds and at times I wondered whether we were in America at all. They spoke in various languages and hardly understood my accent in the common language of English.
Cultural shock manifested itself in many ways and my mother, sister and I were depressed and thought a lot about going back to Bhutan. One day my dad clearly told us ‘No, we cannot go back to Bhutan.’ .... Read More.
Drishya, USA
Having to leave Bhutan at the age of two and a half, I do not recall much of the country that is my birthplace. It is the country that my parents, as well as my grandparents, were born in. While our ancestors had migrated from Nepal, everyone in my large family was born in Bhutan and it was our one and only home.
The 20th April 1992 is a day is of much significance to my family. My dad fled the country on this day; my mum and I followed him four days later. Although I don’t remember the events around this time, I am constantly reminded by my parents as each year we commemorate the anniversary of our departure... Read more.
Smriti, resettled in Australia before the resettlement program
My four year old daughter, Asmita has begun uttering English words and I am preparing her for formal education: this is the main reason I am here. I will be proud of my decision to opt for third country resettlement if she gets a good education. It’s now four and half months since my family arrived in this new place with new way of life... Read More
Rup Narayan, USA
There are 10 members in my family: me, my wife, my two little sons of 4 and 2, my three sisters, a younger brother and my parents in their early sixties, The IOM divided into three different families and after 10 painful months, on May 8, 2008, my two little sisters and a brother left for United States.... Read More