TSOS May Book Club: We Are Displaced
What is the TSOS Book Club?
TSOS book club is a place to come together and learn about and discuss literature based on the stories of refugees and newcomers. We hope it will be a place where perspectives might change and empathy and understanding will be increased.
Why join?
We want to provide a safe place for discussions about great stories and would love for you to add to what we are learning!
Join the TSOS Facebook Book Club Group
Our next book: We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is well known around the world for her work to help educate girls. However, you may not be familiar with her work to support refugees. Malala has visited many refugee camps in her travels to promote education for girls. She has met many girls who have amazing stories of resilience and strength. Malala has chosen to share some of these girls’ stories, which is the basis for her book, We Are Displaced.
In this book you meet several different girls from different countries who are refugees. They share the experiences they have had getting to a place of safety. They share their struggles and their hopes, along with some of their dreams. This book gives the reader perspective and will help them recognize some of what refugees are forced to endure.
For more info about Malala's organization and her work, check out the Malala Fund.
Purchase We Are Displaced here.
Slam the Islamophobia
The Emerald Project is a Utah-based organization that carefully designs dialogues to engage with non-Muslims to make Salt Lake Valley a more welcoming home to Muslims. As many of our refugee friends belong to the Muslim faith, we applaud opportunities that foster understanding and were pleased to support The Emerald Project’s 3rd annual “Slam the Islamophobia” event on February 15th.
Invisible Barriers and Battles: The Mental Health Impact on Refugees
Refugees often risk their lives crossing deserts, jungles, and oceans all in the search for shelter, freedom, or happiness. Yet, even once they’ve reached physical safety, mental mountains emerge that make daily life an uphill climb. At the November 2022 conference for the Utah Chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (USOPHE), presenters Shurooq Al Jewari and Sasha Sloan discussed mental health and inclusion, focusing on immigrants and refugees.
Reclaiming Lost Traditions
Holidays are an important time to include newcomers. Newcomers are often aching for the traditions and holiday magic they knew at home - and the connections with family and friends. The Garcias* came from a strong family and community that knew generous and giving holiday traditions. I knew, when I met our new friends from Venezuela, the rich bond we would have; this was a kindred spirit family. Even though we have been bad at communicating (Google Translate is such a false hope), it was easy to find connections that helped us love each other.