Oct 7 11
iHub, Nairobi RU Scratchcards Scratchcard Factory iHub, Nairobi Refugees United in Nairobi, September 2011 Chapter 1: Having just joined the Refugees United team, I soon found myself southbound for Africa, the continent where the majority of the people we’re trying to help are located. More specifically, I was headed for Nairobi, Kenya, together with Chris for one week. Despite having traveled a lot, this was my first real ‘Africa trip’, and I felt excited to be on my way to see the ‘subject matter’ of Refugees United with my own eyes. Our luggage stuck in Cairo, we arrived in Nairobi…
Oct 6 11
Dadaab, Aug. 2011
Descending through the thin layer of clouds, the arid landscape of Dadaab appears below, pockmarked by the blue tents of the UNHCR hosting weary refugees. As we approach the short landing strip, the warm winds rising rattle the little propeller plane, dipping the wings on either side. Having left behind chilly Nairobi at 6 am, the warmth of Dadaab is a brief respite for my freezing toes, though soon, I, along with everyone else, wish for cooler weather – even during this winter “chill.” I disembark with a flurry of butterflies and head off to greet our partners, the wonderful…
Sep 21 11
Kenya Red Cross Society HQ Partnership Launch in Nairobi Refugees United launch partnership with Kenya Red Cross Society This past Friday, September 16th, Refugees United launched an exciting new partnership with Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). The partnership, where RU provides the technology and KRCS supports with the local implementation, aims at signing up 33,000 new users via the Refugees United search tool. KRCS will provide their staff on ground across Kenya in order to achieve this target; specifically, 8 KRCS staff and a further 44 volunteers from 22 branches will be trained in the use of the RU mobile-enabled search tool in…
Sep 14 11
Press release: New Board Members
Changes on the Board of Refugees United, new Chairwoman and new Interim CEO. On the Refugees United Foundation board meeting in Copenhagen on August 16th, several changes were put into effect that we are pleased to inform you about: Steen Halbye, Chairman of the Board, ended his successful 2-year period and stepped down from his position. Having helped steer Refugees United to great reach and impact, the Foundation thanks Steen for his dedication and hard work throughout his term. Kristin Parello-Plesner, CSR manager PFA, was appointed new Chairwoman, and the Foundation warmly welcomes her onboard. Her strategic insight and strong…
Aug 11 11
Refugees United – Chapter 15
True to fashion in how David and I had lived our lives up to this moment, everything happened, resonated – and without much thought we threw our passion behind the quest of finding Mansour’s family. An echo between rationale and raucousness has determined our lives so far, and it has led us to deeply engaging and interesting moments, however heartbreaking some of them have been. Such is the liberty I suppose, for those fortunate enough to have been born into the luxury of freedom. I’m not sure what we expected to find in Moscow, nor what we expected may…
Jul 28 11
The Venue 5E, Cph. Jazz Festival 2011 Capturing the mood Audience buzz Kostcirklen playing Singing Pictures from the launch of the donation service at the CPH Jazz Festival – 5E Venue Saturday evening July 9 2011. The up and coming Copenhagen based jazz group Kostcirklen, gave a wonderful performance at the 5E Venue in the meat packing district, east side Copenhagen. The vibe was electric and the atmosphere easy. Refugees United was fortunately given the opportunity to raise awareness about our cause. We spoke to a lot of inspiring people who contributed ideas as well as donations. Just as the jazz…
Jul 27 11
Refugees United – Chapter 14
One of the challenges of heading to Russia was getting an entry visa. Mansour was still waiting for his “official” Danish passport, known for its color as the red beet, traveling under a blue, temporary one. This alone made it difficult to get a visa. Moreover, per Russian requirements you need an invitation from a hotel, and a reason for your visit. Two longhaired broke guys and an Afghan refugee didn’t, it seem, make for optimal tourists. However, through our stint working as teachers with immigrants and refugees, we were able to claim it a study trip and obtain the…
Jul 20 11
Refugees United – Chapter 13
A heavy stone fell from the hearts of both when they found each other. A sense of belonging, of not being completely alone anymore, was how they described the feelings that milled about. Unfortunately, the answer to each of the brothers’ first question on the whereabouts of the rest of the family was that neither knew anything. However, they had found each other, and that provided some hope. With the reunion’s glow waning after a few days, reality came barging through the door. Mansour learned that, while “luck” had graced his life after Peshawar, Ali had been less fortunate. Sold…
Jul 14 11
Refugees United – Chapter 12, Peshawar pt. 2
Mansour left the house to meet the trafficker, anxious to learn any news. The guy had shared with him the previous day that he might be able to unearth information about one of Mansour’s brothers, Ali. Stepping into the trafficker’s office took immeasurable courage on behalf of Mansour, and we’re still dumbfounded as to how he racked up the nerve to question, to push this criminal that had much evil on his conscience. But push he did, and after bribing him even more, learned that his one younger brother, Ali, 9-years-old last they had seen each other, now lived in…
Jul 12 11
Refugees United – Chapter 11, Peshawar
After months and months of seemingly no action or results, David, Mansour and I decided to try and take things into our own hands. At this stage Mansour had grown in courage and in his desire to unearth any information possible about what had happened to his family. He reached the decision to travel back to Peshawar in search of answers and of people who might assist him in his quest. Not a small feat, considering his young age, returning to the place and people who separated him from loved ones 5 years earlier. Peshawar is a hustle and bustle…
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