Refugees From All 50 States Meet At First-Ever D .C . Congress (648 hits)
When Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek was 14 years old, she left South Sudan in the heat of civil war. Her family, fleeing both rebel and government forces, trekked through the bush for months, leading to her father's leg infection, paralysis and death. Wek ended up at a refugee resettlement organization in London in 1986 and was separated from her mother for two years. A scout spotted her at a market and Wek went on to become the first African model to appear on the cover of Elle. Wek, now 34, realizes her good fortune and tells the Huffington Post she uses her platform as a way to advocate for refugees.
"The most humbling thing fashion has given me is a voice, and I hope to use that for other refugees," she says. "People look at refugees as a burden. I have always hoped to shed light on how they positively contribute to their new homes." She is one of many sharing her story at the first-ever Refugee Congress at Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday and Thursday. Sixty refugees and asylum seekers spanning six decades and representing nations from Cuba to Burma met to share their stories of displacement. Representing every state in the U.S., the attendees also offered ideas for reform in policies affecting refugees. After the convention, participants will meet with their Congressional representatives. The event is the inaugural refugee gathering convening under the premise that refugees should be involved in and informing policy, according to UNHCR. ...
