Let’s start with two quick news items:
Afghan families: Last week I reported on the Safai family from Afghanistan who, like so many Afghans, are living in hotels or airbnbs, waiting for housing and eager to get their lives in Atlanta started. I was touched by the humanity and generosity of so many 285 South readers, who reached out to me asking how they could help after they read the story. *I truly believe these simple acts of kindness are the glue that keep our world together and get humanity through the toughest, darkest times.*
I had the chance to follow up with Shir Ahmad Safai this past weekend - he didn’t have any updates on housing and is getting increasingly worried about his children not learning English, and not being able to enroll in school. Check out this interview I did with Axios Atlanta about what newly arriving Afghans are facing right now and some places you can reach out to if you want to help.
Runoff Election Day is Tuesday: Voting in the Atlanta mayoral runoff elections, as well as several other critical seats, is tomorrow - November 30th. Check out this runoff voter guide from Atlanta Civic Circle to figure out your voting location and learn about the candidates in the running. And if you need a refresher on what mayoral candidates Felicia Moore and Andre Dickens have said on immigrant issues, read this piece in the AJC.
Ok, now to what’s happening around town this week.
Toy Drive: The Latin American Association (LAA) is accepting donations for their toy drive for 500 Latino children, until Friday, December 3rd. If you have unwrapped new toys, gift cards, or want to make a financial contribution - connect with the LAA. More info here.
Warm clothing drive: Refuge Coffee is partnering with Afghan United Community of Atlanta to collect winter coats and blankets. Drop off box is at the Refuge Coffee in Clarkston: 4170 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Clarkston, GA 30021 More info here.
Citizenship Clinic: Questions around citizenship - the process, the paperwork, the benefits? Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta is hosting a free citizenship clinic on December 10th. You must make an appointment beforehand! Here’s the form to do that. And here’s more info on the clinic.
Holiday Markets! This Saturday, December 4th, the Latin American Association is hosting a holiday market featuring arts, crafts, and foods made by local Latina entrepreneurs. It’s from 10am to 4pm at the LAA office on Buford Highway: 2750 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, 30324. More info here.
Also on December 4th, Refuge Coffee is hosting a holiday market featuring locally made crafts and goods from over 60 local vendors from all over the world. 9am to 5pm at Refuge Coffee in Clarkston: 4170 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Clarkston, GA 30021. More info here.
In case you missed it - how Muslim families can become foster parents: ICNA Relief hosted a webinar on guidelines and advice for Muslim families interested in becoming foster parents to refugee children or unaccompanied minors. Watch it here.
And finally...
I went to Legacy Park in Decatur this weekend. My husband and 5-year old son Sami are quintessential fishermen and could stand by the lake for hours. Me and my 7-year old son Azi have to physically drag them away if we want to do anything other than stare out into the water while nothing happens.
That's Sami. If he's not staring into the water, he's staring into the grass.
On Saturday, while Azi and I were impatiently waiting for them, we came across a sign with information on local water drainage. It was in English and...there was a translation in Devanagri script. That’s the script used in several South Asian languages like Hindi, Gujarati, and Nepali. I was puzzled.
We broke off from the family fishermen to explore the area. We were delighted to stumble upon a large community garden with several plots. It turns out it's a garden for refugee families from places like Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan to grow their own food. I love discovering gems like this! Here’s a story about it and here’s more info about the Global Growers, the organization behind the garden.
An overhead view of the Global Growers' Decatur Kitchen Garden (DKG) at Legacy Park. Top cover photo: Tei Sung tends to red pepper plants at the DKG. Photos courtesy of Global Growers.
