Appeal for Donations and Volunteers to Support Refugee Empowerment Programs

HOUSTON:More than 5000 refugees, legally admitted to the United States on humanitarian grounds, live in Houston.

Sewa International, a local non-profit organization that, over the past five years, has worked towards empowering these refugee families, women and children, from Bhutan.

 Sewa International operates vocational training and economic opportunity programs for these adults.

 In the past Sewa volunteers have helped teach the people sewing, needlework, and screen printing. Currently Sewa International is conducting skill building sessions on t-shirt printing, tailoring, and computer literacy for refugee men and women.

Sewa International is looking for volunteers who can assist in teaching these skills to the refugees. Skill building sessions are currently being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m to 5 p.m at the Los Arcos apartment complex. Volunteers will be able to work one on one with individuals to impart knowledge of useful skills which can empower these individuals. A translator will be on hand to assist with possible language concerns.

Additionally, Sewa International is looking for supplies and used equipment for these sessions.

•       Used plain T-Shirts which will be used for screen printing training

• Used operational sewing machines which will be used to teach tailoring

• Used working computers and laptops which will be used for computer literacy programs

If you would like to volunteer or are interested in donating used t-shirts, computers or sewing machines, please contact Sewa at 281.909.SEWA or email Houston@sewausa.org.

You can also visit their website at www.sewahouston.org.