ADVOCACY: GLOBAL REFUGE (formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service) – Part 4
Partnering with People So That They Can Live Sustainably in their Own Countries:
Many people are in motion worldwide who may not fit neatly into treaty or policy definitions of ‘refugee’ or ‘asylum seeker,’ yet their situations are dire. They cannot feed or shelter their families adequately. Colonialism, climate change, and civil unrest all can drive economic migration. Global Refuge and other organizations have programs we can support so that people who are not otherwise in danger can stay in their home countries.
In Mexico and Central America
- The Global Refuge: Camino a Casa: Many young Guatemalans migrate to earn money to help their families back home. If turned away at the U.S. border, they are repatriated to Guatemala, where they face debt and have little access to education, jobs, or treatment for migration-related trauma. Now, thanks to Camino a Casa, a new Global Refuge initiative in Guatemala, repatriated youth have support. They can get education and vocational training, learn financial literacy, and be referred for legal, medical, and mental health services. Camino a Casa Program | Global Refuge
- Centro Santa Catalina in Cd. Juarez: Just miles from the U.S.-Mexico border is a sewing co-op operated by women of vibrant faith. They live and work on the old landfill of Cd. Juarez, where they struggle to afford life’s essentials and their children’s public school fees. Through cross-border partnerships, much good is happening. The women take part in adult education. Their children receive music lessons, tutoring, and computers. Some are going on to college in Mexico and entering professions in their home country. We can support the co-op by buying their beautiful products or donating. Centro Santa Catalina (centrodesantacatalina.org)
Worldwide
- The ELCA’s World Hunger: All Saints has long supported the ELCA’s World Hunger program. ELCA World Hunger - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America At work in 60 countries, the ELCA responds to the fact that 821 million people globally are hungry. Ten percent (10%) of the world’s people live in extreme poverty—on less than $1.90 a day. We partner with in-country churches and others to move beyond direct relief to development. The goal is sustainable agricultural systems, clean water sources, good education, and access to health care. World Hunger also responds to needs in the U.S. and helps support Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM.
- Bread for the World: Nourish Our Future. Bread’s new campaign addresses child hunger through advocacy. The goal is to prevent malnutrition-related child deaths in countries most burdened by hunger and to improve the lives of mothers and children experiencing food insecurity in the U.S. Until more details of the campaign are available, please see the Bread site on the five hungriest places at this time: Gaza and four African areas. Our actions can help. Bread's Response to Hunger Hotspots in Gaza and Around the World - Bread for the World
In July, we will review two programs that work with the immigrant communities already in Albuquerque and then explore ways to advocate for better U.S. immigration policies.
Judy Messal