world refugee day celebration 2009

WWWA is preparing to celebrate world refugee day on 20th June 2009. This day is celebrated across the globe every year, to remember the plight of refugees around the world and to recognize the contributions of refugees in the communities where they live. At WWWA we believe that it is a time to think about how far we have come and how far we still need to go in the daily struggle to be treated with dignity and respect. It is an uphill struggle for some refugees living in South Africa to day to reestablish them selves after the shocking xenophobic attacks of 2008. There is a yearning for us especially the women to be who we always wanted to be in other words a time to think about the rights that are denied us on a daily bases . This is a biter reminder to us again that for a refugee human rights became a luxury because you are more often than not treated as a non human, and the issue of rights then became a far cry from your mind, in this regard every day is trauma and torture day, every day is a day that reminds you that you do not belong and that you need to do some thing extra in other to be accepted.
In Cape Town WWWA continues to be supported by dedicated women and men who believe that man kind and humanity belongs to all. That refugee or not we are the same people. The partners and friends of WWWA have stood by us and have continuously supported the refugee women who seek the services of WWWA, to that effect the women of the Union of Jewish Women in Cape Town have offered eight week training free of charge to ten women from WWWA, in conflict management, anger management, and relationship building. This is a precious gift from women to other women, the women who will participate in the training are selected from the following countries of origin , Burundi, Zimbabwe , Cameroon , Rwanda, Malawi, Congo Brazzaville , and Congo DRC, the selection, was based on the fact that these women will take the skills back to the various communities which they represent.
WWWA will co host three events in different communities to mark this day
On 17 June WWWA together with community members will visit Nazareth house a place of safety for the sick and home less where we plan to distribute clothing collected from the community, we will clean, cook, share lunch with the residents of the shelter. And also share with them information on who a refugee is and why refugees come to South Africa.
• A church services with the Huis Maria in Elsie’s River Cape Town, is planned for 20th June. This is a place of safety for recovering mental patients and ranned by a generous nurse and her family , Huis Maria carters for recovering patients who do not have family or any one to care for them .
On June 21 the WWWA women will recite poems from a book living on the fence based on true live stories of these women and written by them. this will take place at the St Goerges Cathedral in Cape town after the sunday service . The poetry will be followed by a discussion with church member and other dignitaries. This will be a cession of sharing and giving by all who will be at the event.

"A mind in confussion"

Forced to flee their homes
Having lost everything,
And sometimes every one
Refugees have a lot to deal with
They have needs,
Emotional, economic, and social.
Most of all they have rights,
The right to seek asylum,
The right to life
The right to study
The right to work
Have children, educate them
And most of all the right just to beeeeee
Please refugees have the right to beeeeee.