World Refugee Day
   A 2000 U.N. Resolution designated June 20 of each year as World Refugee Day. This year KRM held its annual World Refugee Day Picnic at Highland Presbyterian Church. Staff, clients, volunteers and community members enjoyed international food donated by ValuMarket and Coco's Bakery. The celebration included music, soccer, games, and informational exhibits by refugees from Burma (Karen), Burundi, Cuba, Iraq and Somalia.

Refugee Book Discussion
   On July 27, KRM hosted a book discussion at the U. of Louisville Library. Panelists Joseph Twagililimana from Rwanda and Prof. Jennie Burnet of U. of L., shared their perspectives on Left to Tell, a survivor account of the Rwandan genocide. Fedja Buric from Bosnia offered background to Sarajevo Marlboro, a collection of short stories set during the Bosnian Civil War. The memoir From the Land of Green Ghosts depicted the sufferings of the residents of Burma under that county's repressive regime. Louisville resident Mahn Saing testified to the persecution his own ethnic Karen people face in Burma. Steve Clark and Annette Ellard, members of Crescent Hill Baptist Church, spoke of their experience assisting Karen refugees locally and in Thailand. Congressman John Yarmuth made the closing remarks to the discussion, which was moderated by Prof. Terry Singer, Dean of U of L's Kent School of Social Work.

Summer Youth Program
   KRM's Summer Youth Program recently concluded its 8-week session. JCPS instructors provided over 30 newly-arrived refugee kids with daily intensive ESL and academic skills instruction. The kids also participated in computer and art therapy projects. Field trips to the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Louisville Zoo, the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Fire Department 4th District Headquarters made for a fun community orientation for these young newcomers.

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