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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Thursday is World Refugee Day, a day to raise awareness of the challenges facing refugees around the world. According to the UNHCR, an estimated 120 million people have fled their home countries, and that number is growing every year.
The International Rescue Committee helps refugees integrate into local communities and adjust to life in America.
Machar Gou is originally from South Sudan and came to Wichita in February. He’s spent almost his entire life in refugee camps in Kenya, and he said it’s always in the back of his mind because he had to leave his children and wife behind in the camps.
“The people they’re bringing into this country are desperate people,” Goo said. “They have nowhere to go. They’re waiting in refugee camps. They’re facing a lot of hardship.”
Gu feels lucky to be in the United States.
“The day I arrived in America was the best day for me,” Gu said. “I felt like I was reborn to come to America. It was the beginning of my life, my future. I feel so welcomed.”
Natalia Trafimovich is from Ukraine and came to Wichita about a year ago. She says everything is different here, from the language to public transportation. She feels happy and safe here, but it’s been hard to adjust.
“Nobody wants to be a refugee,” Trafimovic said. “Everyone wants to live in their own country, but we have no choice. We are very grateful to these people, to this country. I feel that my family is lucky because I have friends here, a very good sponsor, very cool colleagues and everyone in the community. I need people to understand that we didn’t want to be refugees. We want to live in this country as free citizens with our families. I want my children to see their grandparents. It’s very hard for me.”
Tonight, the IRC is holding its first ever gala.
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