Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees

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w a l k i n g t o g e t h e r 31 PHASES OF REFUGEE ADJUSTMENT Phase 1 (Arrival) SATISFACTION Phase 2 (Reality) Phase 3A (Negotiation) Phase 3B (Alienation) Phase 4A (Integration) Phase 4B (Marginalization) TIME IN COUNTRY Phases of Refugee Adjustment chart courtesy of the Center for Victims of Torture, 649 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104, www.cvt.org © Center for Victims of Torture lead to feelings of confusion and disorientation. Feelings of numbness, anger, or even resentment can also be present in this stage. Phase Two generally occurs after three to six months and is called the Reality Phase. In this phase the refugee comes down from the “high” of the honeymoon as they realize that their desire for a quick adjustment has not been met. They become increasingly aware of the challenges that lie ahead and may begin to feel overwhelmed. Culture shock begins to set in and the reality of their losses is recognized. Conflicts may arise between generations in the family, with other refugee communities or between the family and the host community. Memories of traumatic events may occur (see Flashbacks, p 63), and with them a sense of fear may return. In this stage refugees may experience difficulty concentrating in English class, detachment, short-term memory loss, fatigue or other physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches. The supportive, encouraging presence of the church in the lives of the refugees is crucial at this point; it can make all the difference in the path that the refugee family will take in the next stages. Phases Three and Four each have two optional paths: one gradually leading to Integration and the other leading toward Marginalization. Most refugees that are sponsored by church communities are able to follow the path to integration, over time navigating their way to belonging in their new community. “I want to emphasize the importance of the role of churches in Canada. I remember one day I read on a Canadian five dollar bill ‘The winters of my childhood were long, long seasons. We lived in three places - the school, the church and the skating rink - but our real life was on the skating rink.’ It seems to me that this is a peaceful and humane country because of the presence of the church in families. Meeting with so many people at church, sharing together in different ways and singing beautifully - this brings us much life.” - Jose
32 w a l k i n g t o g e t h e r Without the support of a loving and caring receiving community, refugees face more chances of failing to adjust. In Phase Three, Negotiation, the refugee begins to accept and understand what needs to be done in order to succeed in their new life. The harsh realities that they confronted in the previous stage are balanced out with small successes: increasing ability to communicate in English, making friends, potentially holding their first job. In this stage refugees may begin to build community support systems, getting to know others in their ethnic group. Healing from trauma is an important characteristic of this stage. As life gradually begins to look up, they will feel a new sense of selfdetermination and will take action to move ahead, setting realistic goals and defining their new identity. As shown in the diagram, Phase Three can take two paths. The path of Alienation is avoidable and undesirable, however the reality is that some refugees do end up on this path, especially those with no support system, the elderly or homebound women. The Alienation stage is characterized by a continued negative trend: conflicts, physical and mental health issues, despair and sadness, fear that they cannot succeed in Canada, reluctancy to leave the home, isolation, withdrawal, and poor attendance at English classes are some of the warning signs that a refugee may have entered the path of Alienation rather than Negotiation. Phase Four is Cultural Integration and is marked by a growing sense of mastery and comfort. This stage follows the stage of Negotiation, and is characterized by a shift from feeling the need for English classes to the desire to work and be self-sufficient or to pursue higher education. The refugee will be able to take care of their own basic needs, and will feel a sense of pride in their self-sufficiency. They will feel self confident, will be able to communicate competently and will have established community ties. Their new bicultural identity will be forged and they will feel a sense of hope for a stable future and of belonging to their new community and country. The alternative to Cultural Integration, for refugees who find themselves on the path of Alienation in Phase Three, is that of Marginalization. The characteristics of this version of Phase Four are opposite to those of Cultural Integration. Marginalized refugees will often experience unemployment, involvement with legal and child welfare institutions, temporary housing and dependence on government social security programs. They may give up hope of acculturating or having a positive role in Canada. They may drop out of society, and often becoming hard to locate or contact. Refugees that reach this phase are at risk for substance or domestic abuse or involvement with gangs or crime. See appendix #1 Stages of Acculturation and Possible Service Implications for more detailed information on the characteristics of each stage as experienced by the refugee.
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Colombia - Suramérica Océano Atl
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Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees

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