Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees

w a l k i n g
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CONTENTS AND METHOD
This resource contains five chapters. The first chapter, History and Context of Forced Displacement in
Colombia, is intended to help churches better understand the history and context of the armed conflict
in Colombia and the factors that continue to cause displacement and threat for Colombians.
The second chapter, Characteristics of the Refugee Journey, looks at the range of traumatic experiences
that refugees often endure before, during, and after flight as well as the changes in identity that accompany
each stage. The chapter concludes with an analysis of the phases of adjustment that refugees go through
upon arriving in Canada and the role that the church can play in helping the refugee family pass through
those phases and build a positive new identity in Canada.
The third chapter, Understanding our Differences, focuses on building cross-cultural understanding
between Canadians and Colombians. It contains sections on the importance of building cross-cultural
competence, Colombian cultural tips, and observations from Colombian refugees in Canada. The chapter
concludes with a section on using interpreters.
The fourth chapter, Promoting Restoration from Refugee Trauma, is intended to help churches
understand the normal effects, reactions and concerns for survivors of trauma related to war and human
rights violations. Effects of trauma on the individual and the family, useful trauma recovery strategies and
tips on talking to survivors of trauma are addressed.
The fifth chapter, Planning and Organizing for Action, is intended to help churches plan accompaniment
strategies for their sponsored Colombian refugee family. The topics of listening and accompaniment,
narratives - the healing story, family strengthening, serving others - identity building and healing, advocacy
and peacebuilding, staying healthy, helping the family feel at home, and preparing church community to
welcome and befriend refugee family are addressed with guiding questions, suggestions and ideas for
the church to consider.
Vignettes and quotes from both displaced Colombians still living in Colombia as well as Colombian refugees
living in Canada can be found throughout the text. These vignettes and quotes were obtained in two
manners. The quotes from displaced Colombians were obtained through the Justice and Peace Committee
of the Teusaquillo Mennonite Church in Bogotá, during weekly support-group sessions for displaced people
led by Paul Stucky. The quotes from Colombian refugees were obtained through a series of phone interviews
with 13 refugee families living in Canada. These interviews were conducted by Shalom Wiebe, who through
her work with the Justice and Peace Committee at the Teusaquillo Mennonite Church had accompanied
each of the families through the process of applying for refuge in Canada. Nine of the Colombian refugees
interviewed were sponsored by Mennonite churches in Canada while four were sponsored by the Canadian
government. The refugees interviewed lived in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario
and Quebec at the time they were interviewed. The interviewees participated in the phone interviews
voluntarily and with full knowledge and consent that their words would be used for this guide. All names,
both of Colombian refugees and internally displaced persons, have been changed.