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 on the occasion of Friendship Day!

“Friendship is like a perennial river which flows forever. It may change its path but will never ever dry up.” -- Pinaki Prasad Mohanty

Hello friends,

In the auspicious occasion of “Friendship Day”, our team would like to wish a good and happy Friendship Day to all the Bhutanese friends residing across the globe. After the resettlement process, we all the Bhutanese friends have been separated from each other and are residing in different parts of the world. The social networking sites and communication tools have made us nearer.

As a matter of fact, the celebrations of "Friendship Day" take place on the first Sunday of August every year and this practice of dedicating a day in honor of friends started in US in 1935. Slowly, this celebration gained popularity and at present, it is celebrated in many countries across the globe. On this special occasion, we spend time recalling the memories and also share the message of friendship and love for them. There is also practice of exchanging cards and gifts in this occasion.

Bhutanesefriends.com would like to say “BEST OF LUCK” for all the Bhutanese friends living in the refugee camp in Nepal, inside Bhutan and also to all the friends who are residing in different parts of the world. Let us share our plight and sorrows along with happiness with all the friends through this site so that we can be in contact every time. Once again, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY to all. Let us stay connected!

FRIENDS CIRCLE, BHUTAN FAMILY

Message from New York!!

Devika Acharya, who is currently residing in Queens City of New York State has sent message to all the Bhutanese Friends in Wednesday, April 28. Check this out:-

Hello Friends,

I am Devika Acharya, currently in Queens City of United States. Born in Bhutan and raised in Khudunabari refugee camp of Nepal, I arrived New York in 16th of February with my brother and sister. I am very happy that we all Bhutanese refugees got a chance to expose to new world. We got a platform to stand on. I still remember those days when we used plastic and thatches for protection of shelter from rain and sun. We have waited a long and compromised for needs. We had hidden tears in our eyes and also laughed in pain but now we have quite better life though we are not in our homeland. Thanks to those who gave us knowledge that's what we have and will be ever. Though, we have faced many difficulties in past, we are now struggling for better life in the developed nation. However, it's too hard to be out of those memories.

All those years of my life when I was in refugee camp is very precious for me. I was blessed by my friends and was with my community. I just tried to remove my pain by the love and affection from all. I spent my childhood and learned to speak there. I met SADPK and I was so glad that I was with my Bhutanese community. Now I am neither with those friends nor with those people. Sometimes I feel so lonely that I feel all alone in the crowd. I miss them so much and miss those days a lot.

After all I need change and progress. Sooner or later everything will be all right, lets hope so. Through this network I want to say that in each new step we are leaving some memories. You can keep in contact with my id which is devikaacharya@yahoo.com. I am missing you all. Stay connected!!

Thanks

Devika

Message from Friend Circle, Bhutan

Dear friends,
The greatest festival of Hinduism- Vijaya Dashami and Deepawali is knocking the doors of all the festival lovers. Our friends from different parts of the globe are sharing the message of wishes for the festival and also share their plans for grand celebration of it. Even, we are in different parts of the world and have different environment and culture; we should not stop celebrating these sorts of festive occasion. This is indeed our responsibilities to preserve and protect this rich cultural practice and festivals as these are our identity. In particular, the celebration of these festivals gives great pleasure and also it is the great source of knowledge and teachings for the upcoming generation.
From this day, the platform of Friends Circle, Bhutan has been opened for sharing wishes and messages for the grand celebration. Therefore, individual and public messages and wishes are highly welcomed in this site. Let’s share our feelings and viewpoints each other so that the pain and sorrow of missing each other can be relived to some extent and we can be in contact with all friends residing in different parts of the world.
With regards,
Tri Bikram Adhikari
Administrator cum Chief Coordinator
FCB

Message from Nepal
Our Central Committee members currently residing in Bhutanese Refugee camps in Nepal has shared their expressions and opinions towards the upcoming greatest festival of Hindu- Vijaya Dashami:-
Dear friends!
On the auspicious occasion of coming “Happy Vijaya Dashami-2066 B.S.”, we Phurba Tamang, the secretary, Geeta Gurung, Treasurer, Mamta Subba, Asst. Co-coordinator of the Circle would like to give warm and fine regards and best wishes to all the friends of Bhutan living around the world. Let this Vijaya Dashami bring your entire thoughts become positive and be successful in every steps of life and have a prosperous and delightful long life.
Friends, though we are residing in different parts of the world, but our culture, dress and language are same. Therefore, we must preserve our culture, language and our dress for the identification and to teach our coming generations. And we are hoping that you will write us more about our organization and your day today lifestyle. Once more we jointly wish you “Happy Vijaya Dashami-2066” and depart from you now.
With regards,
Bye

Message from Arizona

Durga Adhikari, a youth who is resettled in Arizona state of USA from Pathri refugee camp of eastern Nepal expresses his feelings through this site:-

मित्रताको नाता हजुर, रगतकोझै गाडा हुन्छ त्यो साथी के साथी, जो थाहै नपाई टाढा हुन्छ नमस्कार, म दुर्गा प्रसाद अधिकारी। आहिले म अमेरिकाको एरिजोना ईस्थित फनिक्स शहरमा मेरो स-परिवार सँग बसिरहेको छु। म एरिजोनाको Central High School मा कक्षा 11मा अध्यनरत छु। अमेरिका आउनु भन्दा पहिले म भूटानी शरणार्थी क्याम्प शनीस्चरे ईस्थित सेक्टर B/2 छ।प्रा न. 58 मा बस्थे। जन्मनत म भुटानमा जन्मेको हो तर भूटानी निरङ्कुश राजाका भरौटेहरुले हामीलाई देश निकाली दिएछ त्यस बेला म मात्र तीन महिनाको थिए अरे। मैले नेपालमा हुने मेरा सबै ईस्ट-मित्र, साथी-भाई छोडि उज्वल भबिस्यको खोजिमा अमेरिका आएको हुँ। मलाई मेरा ईस्ट-मित्र, आफन्त गुमाएकोमा दु:खी पनि छु र सबैलाई सम्झेको छु पनि भन्न चाहन्छु। मैले अमेरिकामा धेरै साथीहरु र नेपाली ईस्ट-मित्र पाएकोमा खुशी पनि छु। मैले मेरो देश अनी नेपाली संस्कृती भुलेको छैन म चाहन्छु बिदेशमा तथा स्वदेशमा हुने कसैले पनि आफ्नो संस्कृती नाबिर्सिउन। अन्त्यमा मैले गुमाएका सबैलाई सम्झेको छु भन्न चाहन्छु र तपाईंहरुले मलाई साथी बनाउन चाहनु हुन्छ भने मेरो ईमेल आइ.डि. greatsmile54@yahoo.com हो। र मेरो बारेमा र म बसेको ठाउँ एरिजोनाको बारेमा जानकारी लिनको लागि मेरो ब्लग एड्रेस www.adhikaridurga.blogspot.com भिजिट गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ।

धन्यवाद तपाईंको साथी दुर्गा प्रसाद, Arizona, USA

Message from Norway

Ganga Ram Darjee, an adult with his family got resettled in Norway from Bhutanese Refugee camp, Khudunabari. He wrote on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 10:57 AM about his new residence:-

Hi I am Ganga Ram Darjee from Norway. I am one of the son of Bhutan. I am with my family here. I enjoy in Norway but missing Bhutanese friends and Bhutan. Life is going better here. Norway is quite similar to Bhutan with snow mountain around. It`s really beautiful and peace country. We are nearly ten families residing in this area. You can visit my Photo at the Photo Album. Bye

Jamuna Darjee also wrote from Norway:-

Hi friends! Iam Jamuna Darjee from khudunabaricamp but rightnow iam living in Norway.I have two brothers and three sisters.
We all are fine and going school but I always miss my Bhutanese and Nepali friends. Friends, whereever we you are living, donot forget us ok. Now I am living in Norway but I always remember my friends and country which I stayed before and also my history. In Norway, we had many opportunities to find a work and also education. Lastly, i want say one thing to my all friends, plz "Don`t forget our reality". Be always good, Do always good. Thanks

Jamuna Darji (Prem Kumari Darjee)

Norway

Message Corner

Devnayak Bhandari wrote in Sunday, July 26, 2009 11:43 AM from North Carolina state of USA after he arrives here:-

I am just not only putting my article to this site but i m here expressing my feeling to you all. I used to tell all my friends that our process has taken long time. But when i got date for my flight from camp to Kathmandu, i really felt that i m gonna be out of you all. I realized the days that i have passed with you all. I realized the bitter and sweet realities between you and me. Have you ever examined me? In reality i never want to hurt any body. Neveretheless, if i hav hurt you and made you angry and bad, plz beg me pardon. Think that i am for you all. Be sure that his heart is far more beautiful and helpful than in physical sketch. I promise you all, i do something for you because i know GOD surely help me to assist for u all.

Oh!sorry i am writing you my feelings. You may feel lonely when u be out of your friends, relatives, neighbours, your mates and all. But you need to pray for God to make our encounter any where else we settle pray for god. GOD never leave you alone.
I feel glad to be on plane from Jhapa to kathmandu. But i have feeling that i have left all of all so not that much pleasure because i was wrapped with my realities that i have left all.than at Kathmandu, i felt quite lonely because i got there no one to whom i was close. I really felt lonely there............But i have tried to be in close with my all mates by phone. When i left Kathmandu, i was feeling the same lonliness. I have realized again that when to be here again? any way i was compelled to go forward. When I reached to the JFK New York air port I am here having no destination, because that large airport has taken my mind........oh but i have got one lady to take us to another airport .Than we have followed her and she has helped us to get inside in next plane to North carolina ,Where now i am staying.when we were out of that plane, another lady was there to take us to our residence. She took us to Mishra's house,the family who were there since May. They have helped us a lot. After some days, we have got our house....All things are new for us. I have talked to the case worker and translated to my family. So, they have got the track to handle that all new things. Than after a day we were taken to offices to apply for foodstamp and others. But i found here many Nepalese family to help and wel come us, my lonlyness is getting subtracted. So, never be nervous any where.You will get many to help you evey where all around the universe because GOD is for you and me. I have also not got more idea about this all because we have been here just a week before .I have tried to express the feelings that has come upon me after leaving the refugee camps. Lastly, i love BHUTAN and friends of whole world. I am missing my friends and my realities.Bye

Message Box

On 4/21/09, rajesh ghalley rajesh.pinu2008@gmail.com from Norway wrote:

Iam very fine here and what about you all? I think you all are also fine there. Yes of course it is a good place to live it is a cold place too.Norway have its own language that we called it norwagian language. All letters are of english A-Z but after Z there are three letters i.e Å Ø Æ.Norway is a monarchy country people are of white face.Norway have lots of natural beauties.many people from different part of world had came to norway.We are living in the southern part of norway.It is very good place to survive.People speak their own language.Some norwagian can't speak english other can speak english.This is a short information about norway or my residing place more will be in next mail.MAIL ME bye....

maya dahal Apr 9 wrote:

Hi its me dhan maya dahal(neopaney) from pathari snischarey camp immigrated to us 9 months ago.Now im in illinois state,wheaton.Im enjoying the totally new life in new country.As compered to the horrible life in camp and in the life in US is totally different.Here we have better living house,food,environment etc. In Nepal we can eat only one day if we earn a day but here we eat what ever we like if we earn one day through entry level job.The highest amount that we need to spend here is house rent.we all are living happily here. People r scared of loosing our culture n religion.No need to worry because there is no any kind of discrimination.Here we found our hindu temple near by our house we use to go there every week n we celebrate pooja,bhajans in the temple. So i hope people will get this message n they will encorage more to come to us.This much for today bye see u later.

Message from the team of blogger:

We are your friends who are also bhutanese. This blog might be a platform for you to share your life experiences along with your viewpoint to everybody across the globe. please send your valuable suggestions, as well.
Messages can be sent to frens.bhutan@gmail.com or drukfrens@yahoo.com, While writing messages, please write your name and address properly.

our working area are:
Networking, friendhip and peace building and social awareness.

It is also information to you all that the recent Central Committee meeting of FRIENDS OF BHUTAN in 5th April 2009(establishment day) has opened membership to all bhutanese who wishes for networking. please contact our representatives in the different countries or mail in above mentioned address.

Ok friends please be in touch.

Shantiram Bhandari wrote:
Thanks for all the members of this blog and best of luck for this blog. i will also do my best from here.Iam sure that i can give a new experiences of the life style of different bhutanese people here in America on this blog.

Geeta Gurung wrote:
thanks hi frens how r u? i am also one of the friends of bhutan. please be in touch with me.bye

Message Corner

ITS ME PUSHPA DHAKAL WHO IS THE NEWLY EMMiGRANTS FROM BHUTANESE REFUGEE CAMP TOWARDS AMERICA. COMPARING TO THE REFUGEE CAMPS LIFE STYLE HERE IN AMERICA IS DIFFERENT AND EXISTING.WE CAN FIND LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE USUALLY COMES TO THIS PLACE.
THOUGH I AM HERE IN AMERICA BUT MY MIND AND SOUL IS ALWAYS IN THE CAMPS AND NEPAL. I USED TO REMEMBER ALWAYS ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELETIVES WHOM I HAVE MISSED IN THE CAMPS . LIFE IN THE CAMP IS BETTER THAN IN AMERICA, PEOPLE USED TO COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER SHARE THE FEELING AND HAVE THE UNITY BUT IN AMERICA IS NOT LIKE THAT. EVERY ONE IS BUSY IN THEIR WORK THERE IS NO TIME TO TALK WITH THEM. LANGUAGE IS THE MAIN PROBLEM THAT THE PEOPLE IS FACING HERE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE TO LEARN ENGLISH AND TO SPEAK QUITE FAST.
FINALLY I WANTS TO WRITE THAT I HAVE THE REMEMBERENCE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELETIVES WHO IS THERE IN CAMPS .
PUSHPA DHAKAL
KHUDUNABARI
B-1 25
NOW IN USA
KENTUCKY STATE