Greeting Cards Benefit Local Refugee Students

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 12/14/06)

Over 45 students were recognized by the Office of Migration and Refugee Service and received certificates, gifts bags and books

Nearly 100 students, parents, teachers and volunteers attended the Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project recognition banquet. The event at the Diocesan Center in Arlington last weekend was organized by the Office of Migration and Refugee Services. It included awards, free books, gifts for children, certificates, an international buffet and a fund-raiser to provide school supplies, tutoring and social support for hundreds of refugees in Northern Virginia.
“It was the first banquet to recognize our students,” said Jessica Estrada, coordinator of the Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project. “We asked teachers, volunteers and staff to nominated refugee students who have shown exceptional perseverance since their arrival and enrollment in school.”
Of the 60 nominations received, the project recognized 45 students. Awards included such categories as academic excellence, academic improvement, student leadership, student athletics and community spirit. Books for America, a local non-profit organization that collects and distributes books, provided 300 books that were free for the students, parents and teachers who attended.
“Please take as many as you can,” said Seyoum Berhe, director of the diocesan Office of Migration and Refugee Services, after welcoming participants.
Teachers and volunteers also were recognized by the audience and received t-shirts provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Washington, D.C..
Some of the refugee students who drew pictures for a greeting card fund-raiser were recognized. They made 10 different hand-drawn designs that have been used on greeting cards. A package of 10 cards sells for $20. The funds will go to help refugee children living in the diocese.
“Refugee students face many obstacles when they come to America,” said Estrada. “Many have had long gaps in their education and some have not had any formal education at all. Once they arrive they must quickly ‘catch up’ to their American counterparts while adjusting to a new country, a new language and a new school.
“I am proud of all our students and their accomplishments. Our refugee students are some of the bravest people that I know. They deserve a special night just to celebrate them and their strength,” said Estrada.
The Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project (VRSAP) is funded by Virginia’s Office of Newcomer Services of the Department of Social Services. According to a brochure, it “aims to assist refugee students to improve academically. Each child has particular needs and VRSAP works with each individual child to determine what will assist that child in his/her studies.”
The program is open to any refugee or asylee children enrolled in Fairfax or Falls Church city public schools. For more information call 703/841-3871.