Letter to a friend in refugee camp

Tika Ram Ghimirey, who is currently residing in Forth Worth city of Texas states in USA shared his letter to Ram (name changed) who is in refugee camp in Nepal through this online platform. Giving clarification about his letter, he writes: "This letter doesn’t look general, however it’s not too personal either. I am writing to my typical Bhutanese friend in a refugee camp - Ram and Bhumika who are just representations. I always intended to give a general picture in this letter". Check this out:

Hi Ram,

How are you doing these days?

It is good to hear from you that you eventually accepted resettlement. I knew you were always in favor of it but some situations were always unavoidable, it’s very usual.

I also know at this time you are kind of confused, undecided and more eager - the reason being obvious that it is a big decision. You have just applied and it will surely take a while, leaving you enough time to decide what and what not. It is all about moving abroad altogether. Be decided that we will be in foreign land forever. Once you arrive here, going back to Nepal or Bhutan becomes a distant dream. Never bring big dreams to your new home. Simply believe in fortune and understand you will have an easier way of living here. America is not a heaven - as everyone should understand it, but it is certainly better than Nepal or Bhutan. Means of living are better, life is easier. There are more opportunities for job but remember you are doing an entry level job. Earning is far better and you will soon go about 20 times richer in about just 3 months. You don’t have to think twice to buy another laptop for your wife or son.

Don’t worry about American tax system. It is good and perfect. It will take a part of your earnings from your every paycheck but will refund it at the end of the year as a tax return. It is just like your saving account. Because you have a baby, you will be eligible for more tax returns than what you would pay. You will also pay a part of your income for your social security thereby securing your old age.

It is always better to be together in a family. Be sure to bring your parents along with you. They would look after your baby so that both of you would go to work. Remember, kids can be a big burden in a nuclear family in the United States and most other countries!

Ram, if you want to show that you are clever in these matters, don’t forget to bring your differently able sister Bhumika along with you. She will get a good medical treatment and she might be eligible for disability benefits. She might get caregiver services at home. You would find yourself really fortunate for that. She would definitely get a new life here.

Life in America is stressful. You feel alone (so don’t think of moving alone leaving your parents behind) and harassed with American work schedule. Surely, you don’t like someone shouting at you when you are working. If you are not working well, they won't ask you for a reason but simply you will have to look for another job the next day. Usually you are at work and you will have almost no time to enjoy. You may not get to sleep together with your family for the whole week for the same reason. You will get bills after bills in your mail box. You will have a large amount to pay off your bills and rent at the end of the month.

Most of the immigrants dislike America for its crazy schedule and no sitting job and so do our people. America over there and America over here is really different. Majority of my friends regret for being here due to the same reason. However, I don't because I was not influenced by an American fake story narrated over there. I always knew that it would be life full of struggle but still better to live in an advanced country like this than living as a refugee.

Wishing for your better future!

Thanks,

Tika Ram Ghimirey

Forth Worth, TX

United States

(Formerly from Khudunabari camp, Jhapa, Nepal)

Message from North Queensland, Australia



Lok-Nath Bhandari/Bhutanesefriends.com

Lok-Nath Bhandari, previously from Khudunabari camp has expressed his feelings after he begins his new life in North Queensland of Australia. Check this out:-

Hello Friends,

My Name is Lok-Nath Bhandari. I am currently resettled in Bribie Island, Brisbane of North Queensland in Australia from Khudunabari Camp. Firstly, I am glad to get this Circle to express my thoughts, feelings and also about my new life in Australia.

I was only the baby of 9 months when my parents were evicted from Bhutan. After that, I was brought in Khudunabari Refugee camp located in Jhapa district of Nepal. I passed my early childhood period in the camps facing numerous difficulties. There was no proper shelter, no good health and education systems, and in particular, we can’t fulfill our basic necessities remaining in the clustered refugee huts.

In the last 17 years, my life was full of sorrows and difficulties. I was unknown about my future. Sometimes, I used to stay alone thinking about my standard of knowledge, and also my goals and the ways to achieve those. As a refugee, I cannot do anything that I wanted for my overall development because of lack of opportunities and also good system of education. In the mean time, the situation in the camp was worsening day by day. I was neglecting my education due to frustration and dissatisfaction.

I think that this all happened in my life due to the lack of opportunities and also prevailing social problems in the society including Racism, Vandalism, Quarrels, and other forms of misunderstandings.

I was always searching the way to escape from these sorts of obstacles and getting rid from this vulnerable situation. My small and immature brain started to think upon the offer of Third Country Resettlement Process which was begun already in the camps. After all, we applied for Australia keeping in mind that my family will be having better life there.

Along with my parents, I left Nepal in 28th July, 2010. We boarded a plane from Kathmandu and landed in International Airport of Brisbane of Australia in 29th July via Singapore.

I feel bad when I left my friends, relatives and neighbors and to be away from them.

I have been here for 4 months. I got many opportunities which are supportive to achieve my goals in Australia and it is glad to mention here that I am still in progress and struggling hard for my better future.

Currently, I am admitted to State High school in Grade 12. I am very glad as I get standard living, basic needs, and basic fundamental right to human beings, clean environment and climatic condition. I am in progress in building positive thoughts and feelings so that I can achieve my goals in the future.

I am also involved in keeping the relationship with other Bhutanese communities and networks including Bhutanesefriends.com Circle.

At the end, I wanted to remind all the Bhutanese friends to stay in touch and get connected through this network. Miss you all.

Thank you,

Lok-Nath Bhandari Chhetri

Bribie Island

North Queensland, Australia.

E-mail: lovu_aspari01@yahoo.com.au

Condelence

HEARTFELT CONDOLENCE

I express my deep grief at untimely and unexpected demise of Mr. Jeet Bahadur Gurung in western Part of Nepal this November who was from Khudunabari camp, Sector B-1Hut number 26, who was my friend as well as my brother.

We lived together in camp sharing our pain and pleasure. He was very helpful and really good to all. He always use to make people happy and use to create much fun with the friends. He was equally popular among all the friends as well as elders in the camp.

I extend my hearty condolence to his parents and relatives and pray that the departed soul may rest peacefully in heaven. I sadly miss him very much, however , i never forget him till my life.

Santa Rai

Vesthimmerland-Denmark