Burma: homeland to our resettled friends
Due to unrest in Burma for the last 50 years, an estimated 1 - 4 million people have been displaced from their homes. This conflict has forced over 200,000 Burmese people into refugee camps in neighboring countries. Once in the camps, people can apply to seek refuge in developed countries around the world. Almost 300 have found their home in Boise, ID and more are coming in just about every week!
There are people from several different states in Burma that have been impacted by this turmoil. People who have resettled in Boise are from three different states: Chin, Karen and Karenni and they each have their own language.
Within the country of Burma, Burmese is one language of many. Many
people in Burma will speak Burmese, but some will only speak the native
language from their home state. Additional languages are mentioned
below:
Karen: S'gaw and Poe Karenni: Karenni Chin: Fallam, Laizo, Zanniat, Zahau, Matupi To learn more about our friends from Burma: ** Free Burma Rangers ** Karen Konnection ** Partners Relief and Development |  A Karen family, home and paddy rice burned. (2/20/11) |
Boise Refugee Resources
There are three refugee agencies in Boise, ID who do a great job and serve our refugee friends by assisting them with housing, English training and jobs for the first 8 months that they are in the United States. But after that time they are pretty much on their own.
** Agency for New Americans (Mountain States Group is parent organization)
** International Rescue Mission (IRC)
** World Relief
The Culture Connection Ministry at the Vineyard comes alongside those agencies and assists the refugee families beyond those 8 months until they are able to stand on their own and feel comfortable with their new home in America.
** Agency for New Americans (Mountain States Group is parent organization)
** International Rescue Mission (IRC)
** World Relief
The Culture Connection Ministry at the Vineyard comes alongside those agencies and assists the refugee families beyond those 8 months until they are able to stand on their own and feel comfortable with their new home in America.
Map of Burma
Why do we call this country Burma and not Myanmar? The ruling party in 1989, after suppressing a majority uprising, changed the name. Many countries do not recognize the name change.
