“My husband and I spent 21 years in a refugee camp in Nepal. Before that, we had been farmers, raising dairy cows, goats, and pigs, and growing spinach, potatoes, peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers, and white radishes. Once we got to the refugee camp, we didn’t have land anymore, but we were still able to take care of goats and pigs. My husband learned to sew clothes in the camp, which helped too. Neither of us ever went to school, but our children attended school in the refugee camp, and all three of them speak English really well. My husband and I are 53 and 54 years old, and we’ve been in the United States for one year and three months now. It’s hard finding jobs when you don’t know much English. That’s the biggest obstacle.” (interview conducted through a translator)
Ran works for Ekata Designs: "Teaching refugee women in Memphis, TN, how to make beautiful jewelry, a small step to helping them become independent in their new life..." (from the website)