The sprawling camp is mostly comprised of small thatch-roofed dwellings with grass or twig walls. Many refugees have lived there for years, and the camp’s school, admin- istrative buildings and shops make it seem more like a village than a tem- porary sanctuary.


Gebre stayed in Shemelba for three years. “At the refugee camp it was very tough,” he said. He and his cousin struggled to get by on their monthly food ration (33 pounds of flour, 2 pounds of beans, 1 pound of sugar and a cup of salt) and what they could earn helping out around the camp. They did odd jobs—cutting grass, farming and carrying water.


Resettled in the U.S.


The U.S. is the only country that has a program designed for unaccompa- nied refugee minors, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of only two U.S. voluntary agen- cies designated to manage resettle- ment for these children. In fiscal year 2012, LIRS provided reception, placement and support services to 8,701 refugees, including 104 unac- companied minors. In 2011, after a determination that third-country resettlement was the best option for Gebre, LIRS assigned him to one of its partners, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capi- tal Area (LSSNCA), which found him a foster home in the area. (His cousin was resettled in Ethiopia.) When he first learned he was


going to America, Gebre was happy. But within the first six months, he begged to go back. Rachel Pierre, LSSNCA’s program manager for unaccompanied refugee minors, told him: “Look, you can get deported [from Ethiopia]; you can get arrested. There’s no way.” Gebre, a slender, soft-spoken young man, has taken English as a Second Language classes at school


and, with LSSNCA assistance, had an English tutor for his first year in the U.S. But learning a language isn’t easy, and he struggled to find words to describe his feelings at that time. “I was …,” he began.


“Lonely and depressed?” Pierre


offered. “Yeah,” he said with a shy smile. Things improved when Gebre moved in with a new foster family—a school friend and his mother, them- selves Eritrean immigrants. At 19, with just one more year until graduation, Gebre said he likes high school and enjoys playing on the school volleyball team. But his face really lights up when he talks about the time he spends at his beloved Eritrean Orthodox Church. One of the advantages of his new foster home is its proximity to his church. Gebre learned that the authorities in Eritrea imposed a fine of about $130 (a significant hardship) on his family because of his departure. So Gebre saved his allowance and sent the money. He’s also learned that one or two of the friends he originally crossed the border with have immigrated to Israel. He found them on Facebook.


A range of support


Unaccompanied refugee minors need support beyond foster home place- ment. Mental health services are often needed for children who have


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witnessed war, genocide and rape. Recovery from such trauma can


be difficult but, Pierre said, “the resilience of the human spirit is like … everybody has it, just not every- body has experienced such hardship to have to use it. They say you don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only option.” Lutheran social service agencies help unaccompanied refugee minors to be strong. In addition to foster home placement and mental health services, the agencies help such chil- dren with life skills, transitioning to adult independence, and planning and securing funds for college. Individuals and congregations can also befriend, mentor and include refugees in community events and outings, and donate funds to cover expenses. (Visit www. lutheranservices.org for a list of local Lutheran agencies you can help.)


But the greatest need is for more foster families to meet the growing demand, said Kimberly Haynes, LIRS director of children’s services. “Nurturing a child from a refugee background can be one of the most rewarding experiences a person will ever have,” she said. “Opening our hearts, minds and homes ... enriches us all and [brings] an opportunity to focus on a new future full of hope and compassion to allow [young people] to heal and thrive.” 


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