Dear Friends,

There are 16.7 million refugees in the world today – people who have had to flee their homes in fear for their lives and have crossed at least one border to do so. Refugees escape their home countries because of civil war, gross human rights abuses or persecution, and usually with little more than the clothes on their backs. Only about 1% of refugees get the opportunity to legally resettle in a new country after long years of waiting. Of the roughly 70,000 refugees the US resettles each year, approximately 10% come to Texas. During 2014 alone, over 12,000 refugees were resettled in Texas with over 1,500 in Austin. The majority, about 35%, were from Iraq.

Bushra and Idris arrived as refugees from Iraq in July, 2014. In addition to their three young children (Mohamed 13, Hajar 10 and Ahmed 4) they brought big hopes and dreams for a better future. Bushra’s family belong to an Afro-Iraqi minority who, though living in Iraq for centuries, still face daily discrimination and are treated as second-class citizens.

Bushra’s brother and sister worked as interpreters for the U.S. military while Idris was a cook on a US base. This caused opposition groups to threaten their lives. Notes with chilling death threats were left at their doorstep and even their children were stopped and terrorized on their way home from school.

They fled as soon they could and were selected for resettlement in Austin. Since their arrival, they have been taking English classes and trying to acquire the skills they need to become self-sufficient. It is especially difficult for refugees to manage with the high cost of living in Austin and the complexity of life. It is even more challenging when only one person is able to support the family.

Idris, who is originally from Sudan, broke his knee in the 1980’s as he was helping a family escape the turmoil of the Iraq-Iran war. The leg was never properly treated and has resulted in a disability that now prevents him from getting an entry level physical job.

As they work to rebuild their lives and adjust to their new home, the whole family benefits from iACT’s programs: Bushra and Idris attend English classes and the children attended the youth summer program, and are currently tutored by iACT volunteers.

We feel privileged to be able to help refugees, who have suffered so much loss, to regain hope and build a new life in Austin. We cannot do this vital work without your generous donations and continued support. In this season of sharing and caring, please include iACT as one of the organizations you donate to.

With Gratitude,

Simone Talma Flowers
Executive Director of iACT

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