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Arrange
for as many or as few people to be at the airport as seems appropriate for your
church situation. A translator should
be part of the group. If you don’t know
of such a person, Bridge will find one for you.
For women refugees, a presentation of a bouquet at
the airport may be a nice touch. For a
small child from any country, a toy, such as a small stuffed animal. A banner can be a way to pull your group
together and Bridge can tell you how to write “welcome” in your refugee’s
language. These things are added
touches, not “requirements”.
Concerning photographs, it is certainly acceptable
to take a camera to the airport, but be
sure to ask the refugees’ permission before taking pictures. Remember that at this point, you are as much
of strangers to them as they are to you.
Asking permission is a good way to begin building trust.
Please use your translator. Be sure to have him/her identify and
introduce your Sponsorship Coordinator, the pastor (if present), and especially
the people with whom the refugee(s) will be staying that evening. Have the translator describe the
accommodations and arrangements at the temporary home. If possible, it would be ideal for the
translator to go home with the newcomers, to assist in orienting the family to
their new environment.
Have the translator ask about tiredness, hunger,
point out rest rooms, and if there is any luggage. If the refugees came into New York the day before, it is common
for the luggage to have come on without them.
If this is the case, ask for it at the airline counter. Lost luggage is common. Simply go to the airline counter to fill out
a “lost luggage” form. The refugee will
need to be with you to identify the type of luggage by looking at
pictures. Usually the luggage will be
delivered the next day.
Upon arrival at the temporary home, briefly show them what they need to know for the first night, and then, in most cases let them sleep, since most arrivals are in the evening after an 18-30 hour trip.