Source: www.chron.com
HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA, July 22, 2009: In the early 1990s, Hindus in Bhutan were banned from speaking their language and practicing their religion. This ethnic and religious persecution forced 100,000 to flee to Nepal, where they have lived in refugee camps for 19 years. A resettlement program started last year by the U.S. State Department is expected to bring as many as 60,000 of these refugees to the United States over the next five years. Roughly 500 have already settled in Houston, where several resettlement agencies are helping the refugees with rental assistance, food and other basic needs, using federal stipends.
The money also covers the cost of agency programs to help them learn English and find work. Local churches and community groups are doing what they can to help; Sewa International USA, for instance, is providing training in education and job training, including computer skills. Refugees are expected to be self-sufficient and working within 90 to 180 days of resettlement.
Although the recession has made it tougher to place refugees in jobs, the Bhutanese seem to be faring better than other refugees in the job market because of their willingness to work and ability to speak English.
In March 2008, Bhutan’s monarchy changed to a democracy, and the persecution has decreased somewhat. Those who still live there can now wear their cultural dress in and around their house–but they still must follow the dominant Buddhist culture.