We were greeted by shy yet friendly people who were eagerly awaiting our visit.  Two of the sons

spoke perfect English so there was no need for translation. 

The sons told us the history of Bhutan - how their primary economic resource is sending electrical power to India.  Their are 2 main groups in Bhutan - the Nepalis and the Drukpa's.  When the Nepali's spoke out for democracy for their country they were driven out by the Drukpa's. 

This particular family was in a refugee camp in India for 17 years.  Through the IOM (International Organization of Migration) they were finally granted permission to emigrate to the United States. 

They could have been sent to Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Netherlands or Canada. 

When in Nepal, India the refugees from Bhutan are not allowed to work.  In India you need a country identification card to work - the Bhutan people have been stripped of their country identification. 

The sons said that there is no chance of ever returning to Bhutan because the Drukpa's

have total control over the country. 

Watching the boys totally respectful attitude toward their grandparents taught Jen and I how important it is to respect not only elderly people, but all people.  Once more we walked away with much more then we gave.

This family was headed by the husband of one of the women.  They were in a refugee camp in India for 17 years.  The man was an English teacher in the refugee camp and his english was beautifully articulate and pronounced.  The children were so shy they curled up in the corner of the couch and hugged whatever adult was closeby.  They thanked us numerous times during our look through the apartment. 

We were greeted at the door by a smiling man and his wife.  They were very emotional (as we all were) when he told the story of their ordeal living in Cuba.  The wife's father was imprisoned for 30 years by Fidel Castro for speaking out against him.  The husband was imprisoned for 10 years for helping to organize a meeting to discuss the poor conditions in Cuba under Castro's tyranny.  He said that someone must have given the location of the meeting to the police because they were all arrested during the meeting.  The jail was deplorable - with the room being about 12 X 12 - housing 17 men and a very small bathroom.  They had no air conditioning and the humidity was overwhelming.  As a result of never receiving medical treatment he has lifelong health problems. 

Both of them said that they are still afraid of any uniformed people and do not really believe that you are free to disagree with the government in America.  When the husband was released he was essentially branded - the Castro regime threatened any and all businesses to not hire him.  In Cuba you receive a total of 3 notices from the govt if you are not working.  If you get a third notice you go to prison forever.  After he received the first notice he applied for the opportunity to leave Cuba.  The day he applied his wife, who had worked for the Economic Dept. for 22 years was immediately fired and told to go home.  After this they waited 4 years to get asylum and both cried when they spoke of how their lives were even harder the four years after they had applied.  In Cuba you are punished for applying to leave the country. 

It was one of the most emotional visits I have ever been on.  The relief of the entire family was so heavy in the air you could practically smell freedom in the small and spotless apartment.  The pride of the parents when they spoke of their 2 sons and the 16 year old daughter (who is still in Cuba) was apparent.  They both said that they are so very grateful to finally be in America.