In the current political climate, conversations about refugees often focus on numbers and policies. But both refugees and organizations helping them transition into their new lives want the public to understand the human side of their journeys. A number of local events honoring that experience will be held in advance of the United Nations’ World Refugee Day on June 20. According to the UN, the day commemorates “the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees” who were forced to flee their homes.
This hour, we sit down with two local refugees who share their stories, and we hear about a project meant to create employment opportunities for refugees. In studio:
- Ngo Hna, refugee from Myanmar who is currently a program director at Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services
- Maung Thet Win, refugee from Thailand who is currently a manager at Windstream
- Mike Kelly, RIT graduate who founded Rochester Refugee Sewing and Repair
