Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees
Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees
Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees
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62<br />
w a l k i n g<br />
t o g e t h e r<br />
COMMON CONCERNS FOR SURVIVORS<br />
OF TORTURE & WAR TRAUMA<br />
Rage, Shame <strong>and</strong> other<br />
Strong Emotions<br />
Rage at perceived sources<br />
of trauma<br />
Rage at those exempted<br />
from trauma<br />
Guilt <strong>for</strong> having survived<br />
<strong>and</strong>/or being in Canada<br />
Shame, humiliation, stigma<br />
associated with the trauma<br />
Sense of profound<br />
vulnerability<br />
Rapid escalation<br />
of distressed feelings<br />
Cultural/Community<br />
Adjustment Concerns<br />
Lack of familiarity with<br />
geography of new location,<br />
foods, sights <strong>and</strong> sounds,<br />
smells, holidays<br />
<strong>and</strong> customs<br />
Lack of familiarity with<br />
Canadian health care<br />
system, social services,<br />
<strong>and</strong> educational institutions<br />
Adjusting to Canada’s<br />
weather<br />
Dealing with tensions<br />
within<br />
the refugee community<br />
or <strong>Colombian</strong> community<br />
in Canada<br />
Dealing with racism<br />
Finding a satisfying,<br />
supportive faith community<br />
Difficulty adjusting to<br />
Canadian culture, values<br />
<strong>and</strong> lifestyle<br />
(fast paced, busyness),<br />
importance of being on<br />
time to the minute,<br />
materialism, individualism,<br />
less time <strong>for</strong> leisure<br />
<strong>and</strong> social relationships,<br />
emphasis<br />
on youth <strong>and</strong> change<br />
rather than elders<br />
<strong>and</strong> traditions.<br />
“The hardest is the<br />
language. You get used to<br />
the customs <strong>and</strong> the food.<br />
Next is the climate. The<br />
climate is very difficult -<br />
in Colombia cold stretches<br />
last 8 days - not months.<br />
And then the absence of<br />
the family.”<br />
- Pablo<br />
“One of the most difficult<br />
things that we have<br />
experienced here was<br />
when a family member<br />
died in Colombia. We felt<br />
impotent, we didn’t know<br />
what to do. We saw the<br />
distance that separates<br />
us from our country.<br />
We never imagined that<br />
we would experience a<br />
circumstance in which we<br />
would want to leave but<br />
not be able to leave.”<br />
- Laura<br />
Common Concerns chart courtesy of the Center <strong>for</strong> Victims of Torture, 649 Dayton Ave.,<br />
St. Paul, MN 55104, www.cvt.org © Center <strong>for</strong> Victims of Torture