Three weeks as a SAFugee in Utah.
Wow what a wonderful time to be alive.
Our Case Worker is amazing. We work so well together. So here is where we are in the process. We have our SSN’s in hand. We also have our Employment Authorization cards. 😍 By far the most beautiful card in my little wallet.
Did our application Department of Workforce application. We have bank accounts and learnt that depositing a check is as easy as Pie. No long queues, fighting, frustrations or threats - just honest, super friendly service. Next week, learner’s license time and somehow find a bit more guts to get on the road to start practicing for our drivers licenses so we can get our state ID. Gosh y’all, we need those. Most posts require either a state ID or Drivers license and I really want to start working so we can start paying back what has been given so graciously.
Got super spoilt with visits from the Utah Refugee Support Group and other SAfugees in the area and made new friends. Visited a food bank and spent time listening to the shared stories of a Marine Veteran while awaiting our time to go inside. How apt it was to listen to the joyful sharing of his experiences on the cusp of Memorial weekend.
Spent the week helping the new family get settled in their apartment at our complex. Realising that we have come such a far way in 3 weeks. Both physically, and emotionally. Seeing the new family’s wide eyed internal panic through our eyes makes you realise the wonderful work that is done by the local Volunteers and International Rescue Committee helping us all learn how to breathe again. And above all, the vast difference being safe and free in this beautiful country.
Oh My Goodness we found Boot Barn!!!!!
@bootbarn Now if I could I would literally just live in that store. Maybe I should simply camp out front till they have an opening and be first to be applying. Watched this amazing young man shape a hat with so much attention to detail it makes you want a Stetson in every colour. And those boots!!!!! Promised myself that I will one day have a pair or more. One day! Boot Barn should make this young man employee of the month just for his passion for their products!
Monday we spent the morning at Fort Douglas Post Cemetery. Listened to Mr Sterling Poulson (I may have the spelling totally wrong) speak the very words that made us all cry while sitting watching him against the Stars and Stripes speak as if directly to us. He spoke of the freedom given by those in uniform that every American often don’t realize how much that means for those who are granted the privilege to stand on this soil. It was such an honor to be present on that day. We will daily try to be just that little bit better, Sir. We will pay it forward.
So from this SAfugee in Utah, I have great respect for all members in uniform. Those who gladly protects this great nation daily, and those who gave their lives so that we can live this liberty and freedom. May God richly bless you and your families. We will not forget what you give so that we can breathe, love and live.
Lastly, Mr President and every American reading this, Thank you that we may form part of this great nation, that we may live freedom and safety.
@POTUS
Disclaimer: Views expressed are not official and are merely an opinion based on our own research/experience and/or feedback from our own and other Programme participants and will always be subject to change as we receive more information.