• About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Outlook
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Immigration Legal Services
    • Immigrant Resource Hub - World Relief
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • My Education Login
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • My Volunteer Login
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Classes for Churches
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate
Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries
office@arriveministries.org 612-798-4332
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Outlook
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Immigration Legal Services
    • Immigrant Resource Hub - World Relief
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • My Education Login
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • My Volunteer Login
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Classes for Churches
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate

As a Refugee, I Show Resilience and Strength

February 2, 2021

Neighbors of MN
Rahima

“I am a refugee.

When I hear people talk about refugees, I often hear people refer to refugees as lazy, complacent, living on public assistance and always in need of help. It bothers me so much. I barely ever hear refugees praised for their strength and resilience.


I barely ever hear refugees praised for their strength and resilience.


I would like to tell you how it feels to be a refugee; displaced from your home country and your loved ones, and living outside of your comfort zone. Leaving everything behind and starting a new life takes a strength that not everyone possesses.

I moved to the U.S. without any family and without knowing anyone in Minnesota four years ago.

When I first arrived everything felt amazing and everyone seemed nice and welcoming. I was settled with the help of Arrive Ministries and they tried to help me get a job with minimum wage and a place to live; but their support was only for three months. During those first three months I felt safe, peaceful and well taken care of. I felt there were people who cared about me and that I could confidently rely on them for guidance or support. During this time I didn’t have to worry about basic needs like health insurance, rent, or food. I call those three first month my honeymoon phase.


I felt safe, peaceful and well taken care of. I felt there were people who cared about me and that I could confidently rely on them for guidance or support.


After those three months when resettlement agencies step out of the picture, I had to figure things out by myself. I didn’t know how I could pay $800 in rent when I only earned a little more than a $1,000 a month. That’s when the next phase hit me very hard. I felt devastated. I felt like a toddler who was thrown in the water by myself to either sink or learn to swim. One day I had a home, and the next day I had to move out because I was unable to pay rent. Thankfully, a generous volunteer from Arrive Ministries offered me a place to stay until I started making more money. I was lucky enough that I learned functional English and I had problem solving skills which enabled me to maneuver through this stage without much damage to my mental health.

I know some refugees who had severe mental health issues after arriving in the U.S., even contemplating suicide because they saw no way out. Some other refugees I know even considered to go back to their dangerous home country to live in an unsafe place when government support ended before they could get a job offering a livable wage.


Once I felt a little more secure, the reality of being a foreigner in a strange land set-in.


Once I felt a little more secure, the reality of being a foreigner in a strange land set-in. I started noticing other people passing judgment on me because I was a refugee. At the grocery store where I work, I was able to see how some employees offered far worse service to refugees than toward other non-refugee customers. One time someone told me that because I was a refugee, my only job would ever be working at a grocery store cleaning up after white people. This was very painful and shattered my dream of having a good life of equality.

There is a stereotype that refugees do not want to work or are constantly hopping between jobs. What I have seen firsthand is that many refugees are experiencing unjust treatment by their employers who overwork them, which causes them to quit their jobs.

Most refugees I know want to work hard. I have been working since the second month of my arrival in the U.S. and I know many like me who work two or three jobs. I don’t believe refugees want to use public assistance unless it is their only choice.


It is so inspiring to see that many hard-working refugees have built business in America and are contributing toward the growth of our economy.


It is so inspiring to see that many hard-working refugees have built business in America and are contributing toward the growth of our economy.

I am still trying to fit into this new world, new culture, new tradition,  new people four years after arriving here. I have a deep need to belong. I am hopeful that my hard work will pay off. My wish for the future is that my fellow American neighbors will learn to celebrate the diversity I bring to this country and will see that refugees make America a richer and kinder place to live; and that I belong here too.”

Related Posts

Afghanistan, Good Neighbor, Stories

Transformed by Friendship

April 9, 2025 By Kate Shermer
Good Neighbor, Stories

Neighbors for Good

March 26, 2025 By Kate Shermer
Afghanistan, Employment, Stories

A Protective, Proud Papa

March 13, 2025 By Kate Shermer

Stay Connected

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Arrive Ministries. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Connect with us:

Logo

Arrive Ministries is a refugee resettlement agency providing essential services and practical assistance to refugees and immigrants to advance self-sufficiency. We mobilize volunteers, in partnership with local churches, to extend love and friendship to our new neighbors to promote thriving in a new homeland.

About Us

1515 East 66th Street, Richfield MN 55423
612-798-4332
office@arriveministries.org

Volunteer Hours Tracker

My Education Login

Who We Are

Immigrant Services

Volunteer

Community Support

Donate

Copyright © 2024 • All Rights Reserved • Powered by Malley Design

Your Cart (0)

Your cart is empty Continue Shopping

Sign in