History of the Burmese Family Sponsorship

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The Jizo Refuge Project began in late the summer of 2007 when Bill Coddington, from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's SOAR (Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees) office, spoke with the ZCO Board about the possibility of ZCO sponsoring a Burmese family coming to Portland from the refugee camps in Thailand. In alignment with Jizo Bodhisattva's vow to protect women, children and travelers, the Board decided to work in coordination with SOAR and to formally sponsor one family.

What does sponsoring a family entail? It means meeting the family at the airport; preparing a Burmese-appropriate meal for them; renting an apartment and furnishing it after arrival; providing transportation to the social service meetings that they must attend to get established with money, food stamps, insurance, medical care, employment support, ESL and bus transport training. It involves assisting the family in learning how to function in the community, acquire daily living skills, and learn basic conversation. The goal of sponsoring a family is to provide whatever social support appropriate to assist them in becoming self-sufficient.

In February we found out there would be an additional Burmese family (Errol's) arriving immediately without any sponsoring group except for a grandfather. Because this family has been friends with "our" family in the camps and attended the same church, our working team and the council agreed that we had enough donations and support from the sangha to sponsor them in addition.

Erroll, Sarah, Mo (14), Christian (13) and Peter (9) arrived in Portland on Tuesday, March 4th. We assisted the family over the course of two weeks getting them to and from all their required social service appointments (thank you to those who helped with their transportation.) During this time, they received medical exams, social security cards and food stamps. They received information about ESL classes and the children were tested to determine the best way to transition into the public school system. Both Errol and Sarah received training on how to use the bus system and attended their first employment support meeting.

On Saturday, April 5th, a number of Sangha members helped move Errol's family into their new apartment where they are now settled.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

Zen Community of Oregon
P.O. Box 368
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 728-0654
Email: info@zendust.org

©2006 Zen Community of Oregon
Updated: June 22, 2008
Site by Michelle Bagley