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Vol. 11, August 2018
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FROM THE BCI OFFICE DESK.......
After an overwhelming Convention and Awareness Program on August 4, the BCI is working to review its past commitments and decide on some pertinent issues surrounding the organization. As explained earlier, things have not been all smooth sailing for the BCI. It is required to muster all courage and wisdom to give the right kind of direction so that this community organization flourishes its natural way. Well, it is not all said and done. We do realize how important it is to come together and give a combined thrust to spearhead the tasks ahead. That is our central focus at the moment.
Among the important recommendations spoken out during the convention, there are players involved in improving the lives of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese in Iowa. While the recommendations are self-explanatory, it is needed that these players left the state of inertia and come out willfully to change the lives of not just the Bhutanese but the entire human society. Let this not remain a slogan, a thing of the past or something your action is not required. The world will be truly beautiful for everybody if those in power or the ones with the ability to change acted rightfully. Someone rightfully said, If you do not do what you cannot do, it is okay. But if you do not do what you can do, it is a disaster.
Among the important recommendations spoken out during the convention, there are players involved in improving the lives of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese in Iowa. While the recommendations are self-explanatory, it is needed that these players left the state of inertia and come out willfully to change the lives of not just the Bhutanese but the entire human society. Let this not remain a slogan, a thing of the past or something your action is not required. The world will be truly beautiful for everybody if those in power or the ones with the ability to change acted rightfully. Someone rightfully said, If you do not do what you cannot do, it is okay. But if you do not do what you can do, it is a disaster.
The BCI Convention & awareness program- a report
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Introduction:
The Bhutanese Community in Iowa [BCI] observed its first ever convention and awareness raising program in Des Moines, Iowa on 4th of August 2018 between 10 am to 4 pm. The program which was overwhelmingly attended by the members of the community was really an occasion to celebrate. There were also dozens of representatives from the other Des Moines based non-profits who were received as special guests. As the program was inaugurated the chief guest Ms Zeljka Krvavica from the Bureau of Refugee Services and the Special Guest Mr. Bishwanath Chhetri, former Chairperson of the Association of the Bhutanese in America (ABA) were seated and the anchors walked us through the day's program. Reproduced below is the sequence of program activities.
WELCOME SPEECH AND AWARENESS TALKS The program consisted of speeches, cultural songs and dances, and the awareness raising notes from the experts. Tilak Gurung the BCI Vice President welcomed everybody which was followed by live music and dance items. Talks on Substance abuse and Financial Literacy was delivered by the experts namely Nikki Gunn from Employee and Family Resource (EFR) and Dora Sedeno from Veridian Credit Union respectively. There were songs and dances between the speeches. Bishwanath spoke on the occasion highlighting the positive role of BCI and stressing on the need for everyone to seriously ponder on our situation and the journey ahead. BCI REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS Dilip Bishwo, the BCI Program Coordinator and Spokesperson took the floor for delivering the BCI report and his recommendations. At the outset he underlined the past, present and future of the BCI, its relationships with other non-profits, financial constraints for human resource and general operation. He applauded the five faith groups represented in the BCI. He informed the public that the BCI is hosting a day-long Mental Health and First Aid Training on August 11th. Further he disclosed the BCI's vision of establishing a Nepali Bhutanese heritage center in the coming future. The important deliberation he made were 7 point recommendations. The pertinent points of the recommendations are produced herewith: · Revamping the BCI Board of Directors · Invited the members of the community to remain in touch with BCI and take the benefit of its projects and services · Asked the Bhutanese government to bring the situation back on track by bringing those responsible for the state-sponsored terrorism against the south Bhutanese Nepali population in the 1990s to a due process of national and international law. · Appealed to the international community to send fact-finding missions to Bhutan, asses on the extremity of governmental repression in south Bhutan in the 90s and intervene positively to restore a sense of justice for all those people who live with scars of injustice. There cannot be a compromise in the path to justice just because it was committed in the past. AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES AND SPEECH BY CHIEF GUEST Groups and individuals who had made a notable contribution to the upliftment of the Nepali-Bhutanese culture were awarded certificates of appreciation and a token. Zeljka spoke as the chief guest highlighting her work as a refugee specialist and being closely associated with the Nepali Bhutanese community. She nostalgically remembered that 25 years ago on the same day she had to come to Iowa leaving her home in Bosnia. She proudly said that Iowa is her home now. SERVING OF NEPALI BHUTANESE CUISINE AND VOTE OF THANKS Food was served to everybody present. The BCI team did a tremendous job in accomplishing this program. They worked laboriously for days arranging the hall, stage and collecting cash and kind donations for the program. On the program day, the BCI team were busy attending to the guests, conducting the program and some engaged in cooking and serving food. Harka Biswa, the President of the BCI while playing the supervisory function did have a time to speak. He thanked everybody for coming in and making the program a huge success. He anticipated a close cooperation from the members of the community to march ahead in this common mission of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese in Iowa. Last but not the least, community members provided two 15-seater vans to transport some of the people to the program venue. |
News Update..
the bci girls' cultural display in the state fair
On the day the Iowa State Fair commenced this year on the 9 th of August, a group of BCI girls displayed a cultural show wearing the Nepali-Bhutanese costume which attracted a signifucant attention. The girls namely Suraksha Biswa [affectionately called Suru], Samana Biswa and Sophia Bhandari were groomed for the show by Anidita Das, the Program Coordinator of the ISU H-4 youth program.
It may be remembered that of the BCI's twin objectives, promotion, protection and preservation of cultural heritage is an important segment of its mission. The program of this sort will undoubtedly let the society know and appreciate the endeavors of the BCI.
It may be remembered that of the BCI's twin objectives, promotion, protection and preservation of cultural heritage is an important segment of its mission. The program of this sort will undoubtedly let the society know and appreciate the endeavors of the BCI.
BCI HOLDS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID RESPONDERS' TRAINING
As a part of its welfare program for the Bhutanese in Iowa, the BCI held a day-long Mental Health and First Aid Training Program in conjunction with the Mental Health First Aid, MHFA, USA on 11 August 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa. This unique program was facilitated by Mr. Parangkush Subedi and Mr. Ashok Gurung of the MHFA, USA. who conducted both interactive and lecture- based sessions to bring home a wide range of mental health concepts into the understanding of the participants.
The following were some of the main points discussed during the training program:
The BCI is convinced that a training of this nature will certainly help our community leaders to understand the standing reality in relation to the mental health issues and which will give an impetus to serve better. it is hoped that this awareness program spread to every nook and corner such that mental health problem will be a thing of the past.
The following were some of the main points discussed during the training program:
- Mental Health problems in USA
- Depression and other mood disorders and Action Plan
- Anxiety/Psychosis
- Substance use disorders
- First Aid Mental Health Crisis
- First Aid for suicidal thoughts/non-suicidal thoughts
- First Aid for panic attacks/children and adults affected by traumatic events
- First Aid for Acute psychosis/Aggressive behavior
The BCI is convinced that a training of this nature will certainly help our community leaders to understand the standing reality in relation to the mental health issues and which will give an impetus to serve better. it is hoped that this awareness program spread to every nook and corner such that mental health problem will be a thing of the past.
Upcoming Event...
TEEJ IN THE OFFING
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Once again Teej is back to bring smiles on the faces of Hindu women. This forerunner festival before the greatest Dasain festival falls on 8th of September this year. To give a brief rejoinder, women observe fast in the name of their husbands or pray for a good husband, take ceremonial bath suitably bty the river side, conduct rituals, eat great food and do dancing and merry making. Usually women would flock together and observe teej together.Bhutanese Hindu in Iowa [BHI], a sister concern of the BCI will facilitate this program as in the previous years according the the organization's President Ms.Tika Bhandari. It is expected that they will be marking the day at the office complex of the BCI. it is anticipated that the BHI will be able to conduct the program smoothly and successfully.
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invitation to those in need
The BCI extends hearty invitation to all the members of our community to take the free benefit of the projects and services being offered here upon appointment. Some of them include ESL and Citizenship class, Karate classes, Computer Literacy Program, Elderly Program and benefit applications, application for citizenship, green card, translation and interpretation services.
The BCI update
Published by: The Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI) | 4121 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50320 | bci@bhutaniowa.org
