The 24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Program
presented by the Vermont Historical Society celebrates
the 30th Anniversary of the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program
Dateline: January 4, 2011
The Vermont Historical Society is teaming up with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program to present two programs honoring the life of Dr. King on Monday, January 17 at noon at the Vermont History Center in Barre and 7:00 p.m. at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier.
Three speakers: Gaandi from Somalia, Htar Htar Yu from Burma, and Pierre Mujomba from The Democratic Republic of Congo will talk about their experiences in the countries they left behind and the changes and challenges they had to meet to live in Vermont. “These speakers will demonstrate a resiliency reflective of Martin Luther King Jr. because they have been strengthened by similar adversity and discrimination,” says VHS public programming director, Tess Taylor. “It will be a poignant program not to be missed.”
The Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program is celebrating 30 years of aiding people who, unlike other immigrants, must leave their home countries because of banishment or persecution. These individuals have started new lives here, often with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They share rich cultures and a deep appreciation for civil liberty.
The noon program will feature the three speakers, Gaandi, Htar Htar Yu, and Pierre Mujomba, who will speak about discrimination and answer questions about their former countries. Food from their ethnic backgrounds will be shared with guests. This event takes place at the Vermont History Center, 60 Washington Street in Barre from noon to 1:00 p.m. Call (802) 479-8500 with any questions.
The evening program at 7:00 p.m. in the Vermont History Museum at 109 State Street in Montpelier will feature our speakers plus “We Share our World,” an exhibit of art, crafts and writings from resettled refugees living in Vermont. This exhibit will be at the Vermont History Museum from January 17 until February 26. Contact the museum at (802) 828-2291.
Both events are free and open to the public.
