African refugees

A MOTHER’S COURAGE: THE STRUGGLE OF AN ASYLUM-SEEKER

 

By Jaime Rodriguez-Sosa

Photo: Adenike O sought asylum to protect her daughter from violence and genital mutilation. Now she works as a Certified Nursing Assistant after completing a licensing program, also volunteering to train prospective students at Nile Sisters.

May 11, 2016 (San Diego) -- The California State Refugee Service Bureau states that since 1975, California has provided refuge to 700,000 people, with San Diego County being the most notable recipient of refugees in the whole state. On average San Diego resettles 2,500 refugees per year, with areas such as City Heights among the most prominent areas for resettlement. These numbers are expected to increase in coming years, with refugees from Syria being accepted to resettle in the United States.


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ECM WRITER LAUNCHES FUND TO HELP MIDDLE EASTERN AND AFRICAN REFUGEES IN EUROPE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Mimi Pollack, a writer for East County Magazine, a La Mesa resident and a teacher at Grossmont College, has launched a GoFundMe account to help a nonprofit assisting refugees from the Middle East and Africa who have flooded into Europe after fleeing violence in their homelands. Masses of migrants have been forced to camp in a park, lacking basic needs such as clothing and shelter with winter fast approaching.  You can donate to the fund here:  http://www.gofundme.com/6k3w8pu4         

Pollack writes, “I have been deeply saddened by the plight of the immigrants/refugees arriving in Europe. The picture of the little Syrian boy was also very disturbing,” she adds, referring to a photo of a child who drowned after his family, like thousands more, risked their lives aboard a boat that overturned in the Mediterranean Sea.  There is a crisis going on in Europe right now, and in my own, small way, I want to help."


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TAXI DRIVERS SEEK FAIR SHARE: HEARING SET SEPT. 18

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Many years ago, Councilwoman Marti Emerald and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith both worked as cab drivers. Now they are leading efforts to reform the City of San Diego’s taxicab policies and help hard-working cabbies.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

AFRICAN WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN FIND HELPING HANDS AT NILE SISTERS

 
Nile Banquet luncheon Saturday celebrates 10th anniversary, benefits health and literary programs for refugee women
By Miriam Raftery
 
September 15, 2011 (San Diego) –From East Africa to East San Diego, women refugees have been finding help for their special needs through Nile Sisters. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit prepares for its ten year anniversary celebration this Saturday, September 17, founder Elizabeth Lou shared reflections with ECM on the many needs that Nile Sisters has filled since opening its doors in 2001.
“Before, some refugees gave birth in their apartments here in City Heights,” she recalls, noting that in Africa “aunties” serve as midwives  because men are not allowed to watch childbirth and it’s considered shameful to talk about such matters. 


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.