Ongoing effort aids NM refugees

In April, Nkazi Sinandile starved herself for 16 days to raise awareness about the problems facing Albuquerque’s refugee population.
Since her hunger strike ended, Sinandile said the South African Orion Duet, a group she started with her husband, has received an outpouring of community support.

“My husband and I suffer from chronic exhaustion, especially him as he wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to go to his job then do the refugee outreach, returning home around 8 p.m. or later,” she said. “I blame the hunger strike for this, although for the refugees, I think (the hunger strike) was a worthwhile venture.”

Sinandile emigrated from South Africa more than 30 years ago. She said she started South African Orion Duet after discovering the deplorable conditions refugees faced. As an African raised in poverty, Sinandile said she empathized with fellow immigrants’ struggles, especially during their resettlement period.

The group helps with food referrals and financial assistance, family counseling and conflict resolution training, and ESL and job training, Sinandile said.

“Refugees, regardless of where they come from, face a similar struggle, but some struggle more than others depending on the country of origin, preparation prior to leaving the refugee camps, personal background and emotional state upon arrival in the resettlement country,” she said.

Marshall Jensen, director of the Center for Refugee Settlement & Support for Catholic Charities, said that resettlement programs need more funding because refugees often come with only a couple months of income.

“Refugees are a group of individuals who live on the margins of society,” Jensen said. “Her hunger strike did a lot to bring attention to the plight of refugees.”

Sinandile said Women’s Global Pathways, South African Orion Duet’s economic development arm, needs more funds.
Since June 1, the organization has used a donated 14-foot by 60-foot trailer as a training center/storage area.

But media coverage on Sinandile’s hunger strike created a flood of calls into La Mesa Presbyterian Church, the group’s home base, said Patty Davison, the church’s secretary.

“We have received a lot of donations since the article on Nkazi’s hunger strike was published,” she said.
Others have taken notice of Sinandile’s efforts, too.
Sinandile said Catholic Charities’ CEO Larry Snyder sent a letter to Senator Jeff Bingaman’s office, which set up a meeting with the senator and community leaders to address the problems facing New Mexico’s refugees.
“One of my burning desires is to have the community hold a forum where refugees can tell their own hopes, dreams and struggles to the community leaders, to include the resettling agency, the clergy, politicians and other members of the community,” Sinandile said.