Australia's wonderful care for Karen Refugees from Thailand
I have a Karen friend in Thailand and many of his family are in UN Refugee camps on the Northern border. Recently, a sister and her family were accepted by Australia and have now arrived.
They have a bungalow with electricity, water and telephone and tv. Windows and carpet floors amaze the young ones. They are not allowed to work until they are proficient in speaking and writing English and all go to school 5 days a week. They get an income from the government and get extra if they go to school. All have opened bank accounts.
Back in the refugee camp they got free rice and a shed to live in and some schooling for the children. The husband worked odd jobs for about US$2 a month and the Mother did hand weaving of traditional cloths for a pittance. Their main lump sum was the 500 baht that my friend gave them at Christmas. The children never handled money and are thrilled now to have a little money in the bank.
They spent A$8 on a discount phonecard to talk to friends and family in Thailand and Burma.
I know that Australia is very careful which refugees it accepts and turns some away roughly. However, I do congratulate them on the fine generous way that they treat those accepted.
Nephew looks like he could break a few hearts.
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