Social Activism: "Educate Yourself"

     Last night, October 26th, was a program on the Trinity campus to raise awareness for refugees. The formal program included an overview of the San Antonio Center for Refugee Services as well as personal narratives from refugees currently living in San Antonio. These men came from Bhutan, Congo, Iraq, and Burma/Myanmar though most of them lived in at least one different place besides there home country before ending up in the United States.

     Tula Durand, from the non-profit Center for Refugee Services, gave us an overview of terms and definitions relating to refugees. Ms. Durand also explained how and where most refugees were located throughout the world and the protections they are offered by UN Sanctions. The number of refugees coming to San Antonio- and where they are from- has changed drastically over time, so that this year alone, SA had over 1,000 refugees. That is triple the amount of refugees that came here last year. Over all, it was a very informative program, with a chance to talk one on one with these refugees at the reception held afterward.