Who are the Karen?
The Karen are an ethnic hill tribe who live throughout areas of eastern Burma and northwestern Thailand.
Link to Karen page
The Karen are an ethnic hill tribe who live throughout areas of eastern Burma and northwestern Thailand.
Link to Karen page
What is the situation in Burma (Myanmar) today?
Burma has been ruled by a brutal military dictatorship for the last 50 years. Ethnic cleansing by the Burman majority of ethnic people including the Karen has resulted in the destruction of over 3,000 villages, countless internally displaced people, murder, rape and torture and the establishment of refugee camps.
Link to Burma pages
Burma has been ruled by a brutal military dictatorship for the last 50 years. Ethnic cleansing by the Burman majority of ethnic people including the Karen has resulted in the destruction of over 3,000 villages, countless internally displaced people, murder, rape and torture and the establishment of refugee camps.
Link to Burma pages
How do the Karen come to the USA?
The Karen come to the USA under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of State. Working in and around Thai refugee camps, state department officials work with the International Organization of Migration (www.iom.int) to manage the process of selection and resettlement of refugees who wish to resettle.
The Karen come to the USA under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of State. Working in and around Thai refugee camps, state department officials work with the International Organization of Migration (www.iom.int) to manage the process of selection and resettlement of refugees who wish to resettle.
How many Karen live in Denver today?
Precise details on the number of Karen in Denver are unclear. We believe that close to 1,000 Karen people live in Colorado today, and likely a large increase in that number in the coming months and years, without any change in the situation in Burma.
Precise details on the number of Karen in Denver are unclear. We believe that close to 1,000 Karen people live in Colorado today, and likely a large increase in that number in the coming months and years, without any change in the situation in Burma.
When will the additional Karen come to Denver?
Karen are resettled to Denver regularly, but not under a particular timetable. CBRTN works with the local resettlement agencies to be available to the refugees as they arrive. Again, there is an expected increase in numbers over the coming months and years as legislation becomes more specialized to deal with new arrivals.
Karen are resettled to Denver regularly, but not under a particular timetable. CBRTN works with the local resettlement agencies to be available to the refugees as they arrive. Again, there is an expected increase in numbers over the coming months and years as legislation becomes more specialized to deal with new arrivals.
Where do the Karen live in Denver?
The Karen live in close-knit communities, with large concentrations in Aurora, Glendale and Denver.
The Karen live in close-knit communities, with large concentrations in Aurora, Glendale and Denver.
What sorts of work are the Karen seeking?
The Karen are seeking all types of work, but with minimal English language abilities, most available work has been in unskilled labor areas such as a meat-packing factory, local hotels, cleaning and landscaping work.
The Karen are seeking all types of work, but with minimal English language abilities, most available work has been in unskilled labor areas such as a meat-packing factory, local hotels, cleaning and landscaping work.
Do the Karen in Colorado speak English?
English ability varies greatly, based on degree of exposure in the in refugee camps and school. There are few highly proficient English speakers within the Karen community. Most Karen will improve their English skills through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
English ability varies greatly, based on degree of exposure in the in refugee camps and school. There are few highly proficient English speakers within the Karen community. Most Karen will improve their English skills through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
What is the process of resettlement of the Karen?
After going through an interview and selection process under the International Organization of Migration (http://www.iom.int) and U.S. Department of State, relocation is handled by local refugee resettlement agencies in the host state. In Colorado, there are three such agencies: Lutheran Family Services, The African Community Center and Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. The agencies help with housing, healthcare, education and employment. As with other state and government agencies, there is always more to be done than the agencies can meet immediately. Wherever possible, CBRTN works alongside the agencies to assist them.
After going through an interview and selection process under the International Organization of Migration (http://www.iom.int) and U.S. Department of State, relocation is handled by local refugee resettlement agencies in the host state. In Colorado, there are three such agencies: Lutheran Family Services, The African Community Center and Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. The agencies help with housing, healthcare, education and employment. As with other state and government agencies, there is always more to be done than the agencies can meet immediately. Wherever possible, CBRTN works alongside the agencies to assist them.
What challenges do the Karen face in resettling into the USA?
The Karen come out of the jungle and rural refugee camps and are given only a very short amount of time to become proficient in living in the U.S.A. They need to quickly master keeping track of their finances, records and paperwork, U.S. laws, public transportation, shopping, English language and many more day-to-day skills. Some culture shock is eased by the growing size of local Karen communities but the change is still drastic.
The Karen come out of the jungle and rural refugee camps and are given only a very short amount of time to become proficient in living in the U.S.A. They need to quickly master keeping track of their finances, records and paperwork, U.S. laws, public transportation, shopping, English language and many more day-to-day skills. Some culture shock is eased by the growing size of local Karen communities but the change is still drastic.
What religion are the Karen?
Many of the Karen coming to the U.S.A are Baptists, due to the pioneering work of Baptist missionaries in Burma at the turn of the last century, with a small minority of Roman Catholics. In many refugee camps there are Bible schools and churches. The Karen in Burma may also be Buddhist or Animists.
Many of the Karen coming to the U.S.A are Baptists, due to the pioneering work of Baptist missionaries in Burma at the turn of the last century, with a small minority of Roman Catholics. In many refugee camps there are Bible schools and churches. The Karen in Burma may also be Buddhist or Animists.
What is being done by the U.S. government regarding the situation facing the Karen?
The U.S. government has indicated its great displeasure with the regime in Burma, greatly restricting trade and other relations with the regime, and speaking at the United Nations in regard to the status of the country, the continued house arrest of Aung San Syu Kyi and the harsh treatment of the people of Burma.
The U.S. government has indicated its great displeasure with the regime in Burma, greatly restricting trade and other relations with the regime, and speaking at the United Nations in regard to the status of the country, the continued house arrest of Aung San Syu Kyi and the harsh treatment of the people of Burma.
What other organizations are helping the Karen?
Many organizations both in Colorado, nationally and in Thailand and Burma are helping the Karen in their plight in different areas of the world.
Education
ZOA www.zoa.nl
International Christian Services www.shareanopportunity.org
Documentation of Human Rights Violations
Free Burma Rangers www.freeburmarangers.org
Partners Relief and Development http://www.partnersworld.org
Christian Freedom International http://www.christianfreedom.org
Medical Relief
Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Shoklo Malaria Research Unit www.shoklo-unit.com
Political Pressure and Raising Awareness
US Campaign for Burma www.uscampaignforburma.org
UK Campaign for Burma www.burmacampaign.org.uk
Many organizations both in Colorado, nationally and in Thailand and Burma are helping the Karen in their plight in different areas of the world.
Education
ZOA www.zoa.nl
International Christian Services www.shareanopportunity.org
Documentation of Human Rights Violations
Free Burma Rangers www.freeburmarangers.org
Partners Relief and Development http://www.partnersworld.org
Christian Freedom International http://www.christianfreedom.org
Medical Relief
Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Shoklo Malaria Research Unit www.shoklo-unit.com
Political Pressure and Raising Awareness
US Campaign for Burma www.uscampaignforburma.org
UK Campaign for Burma www.burmacampaign.org.uk
