Lauren Cultural Connection, Food, Migrants, Refugees

Enoteca Maria

Enoteca Maria is a New York City restaurant with a truly unique concept: They have a rotating menu prepared by grandmothers from around the world. What began as an Italian restaurant with food cooked by Nonna’s from different regions of Italy soon evolved into inviting grandmothers from across the globe to share their culinary traditions.

Depending on the night, patrons have the opportunity to order food from Bangladesh, Peru, Japan, Algeria, and a dozen other countries. The restaurant is constantly taking on new grandmothers, and therefore creating new offerings on their diverse menu. In addition, the owners of the restaurant have created a virtual book entitled Nonnas of the World, where anyone can submit their grandmother’s recipes, written in their native language.

I’m so glad that this amazing restaurant exists, and I hope that concepts like these spread across the United States!

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Lauren Cultural Connection, Migrants, Refugees

Activities that Break the Language Barrier

Lately we’ve been spending a lot of time with a family from Ecuador. They only speak Spanish, and save for a few stilted Spanish phrases from me, everyone in my family only speaks English. But our kids have enjoyed playing together, and we’ve had some interesting conversations with the help of translation apps and expressive gestures. Here are some activities I have found work well when not everyone in the group speaks the same language.

Toys

As long as everyone in the party is willing to share, playing with toys can be a fun activity that doesn’t require anyone to be bilingual. Building toys like Legos or blocks, puzzles, dolls and action figures have been helpful for our group.

Board Games

Not all board games are easily played across languages, but some are far simpler than others. Matching games, checkers, chess, Chutes and Ladders, Operation, Jenga, Sequence, and Candy Land are some of the few that have worked for us. Basically, anything that relies heavily on pictures, patterns, or actions will do.

Sports and Active Games

Soccer (futbol) is a universal sport. Anyone can enjoy playing this together. Basketball, baseball, simplified hockey, various types of tag, hide and seek, dodgeball, field day type games, playing with balloons, rollerskating, bike riding, walking, and going to the park are great options as well.

Arts and Crafts

Drawing, painting, play dough, clay, beading, origami, and baking have all worked well.

Charades (with pictures)

We have played a modified version of charades where we lay out a handful of pictures (think flash cards), and we take turns acting out one of the pictures, allowing the kids to point to which picture they think is being portrayed. Yes, it makes the game shorter and simpler, but more importantly, no one has to speak the same language.

Entertainment

If the situation or the energy levels necessitate screens, we’ve tried to find shows that use little dialogue and have a lot of physical comedy or storytelling. Things like Tom and Jerry have been golden for this, as well as Fantasia. Also, we can all have fun listening to music and dancing together.

The wonderful thing about these interactions is that it brings our worlds closer and we are each learning things from each others’ language and culture. I think it’s vital to remember that there are so many ways to communicate and interact with one another.

 

Lauren Migrants, Refugees, Volunteering

Connecting with Refugees and Migrants in Your Area

Reaching out to assist newcomers in your area can be a helpful and culturally enriching experience.

The United States has a long history of assisting those from other countries as they flee war, persecution, and difficult living conditions. Recently, the demand to help resettle these new neighbors has grown, meaning cities and organizations are finding themselves overrun and are turning to volunteers to fill in the gaps. Regardless of your political leanings on how individuals enter the country, the need to recognize the humanitarian crisis that lies at the center of the issue is crucial. While helping a refugee or migrant has obvious benefits for those coming to the US, those volunteering their time or resources can also be enriched, as well as the community as a whole.

Consider some of the following benefits for all parties in helping newcomers to the United States.

  1. Humanitarian Impact:
    • Saving Lives: Providing refuge to individuals fleeing conflict or persecution can literally save lives. Many refugees and migrants face life-threatening situations in their home countries, and offering them a safe haven can be crucial for their survival.
    • Human Dignity: Helping newcomers preserves and upholds human dignity by offering them a chance to rebuild their lives with basic necessities such as shelter, food, and healthcare.
  2. Cultural Enrichment:
    • Diversity and Cultural Exchange: Refugees and migrants often bring a rich tapestry of cultural diversity and skills to their host communities. This exchange can enhance cultural understanding, promote tolerance, and contribute to a more vibrant and diverse society.
  3. Economic Contributions:
    • Workforce and Entrepreneurship: Newcomers, once integrated, can become a valuable part of the labor force. Many are skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, or workers who can contribute to the economy, filling gaps in the workforce and fostering economic growth.
  4. International Cooperation:
    • Building Solidarity: Assisting refugees and migrants fosters a sense of global solidarity and cooperation. It encourages nations to work together to address humanitarian crises and demonstrates a commitment to shared values of compassion and empathy.
  5. Long-Term Social Integration:
    • Social Cohesion: Integrating refugees and migrants into host communities promotes social cohesion and inclusivity. This process can break down stereotypes, reduce prejudice, and create a more harmonious society.
  6. Education and Skill Development:
    • Education Opportunities: Offering education to children and adults helps break the cycle of poverty and enhances their ability to contribute positively to society.
    • Skill Development: Refugees and migrants often bring diverse skills and experiences. Supporting their skill development and education can result in a more skilled and adaptable workforce.
  7. Psychological Well-being:
    • Mental Health Support: Refugees and migrants often experience trauma and stress. Providing mental health support and counseling services helps them cope with their past experiences and build resilience for the future.

In summary, helping newcomers goes beyond immediate humanitarian aid; it has far-reaching positive impacts on individuals, communities, and the global society as a whole. Reach out to your city or community to see if there are areas in which you can assist newcomers. Additionally, you can get involved with the International Rescue Committee. They have offices in most major cities.