Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service was the first U.S. organization to resettle refugees from Sudan’s Western region of Darfur. Violence in Darfur has left countless victims in its wake—children orphaned, families torn apart, entire villages destroyed. We were honored to be there to open our arms to welcome Darfuri refugees to safety in the United States.

Fanne Khata Abdelnabi, along with her six children and one grandchild arrived in the United States on July 23. At age 35, Fanne has undoubtedly witnessed and endured extreme trauma and loss. After making the arduous journey across the desert to a camp in Chad, the Abdelnabi family was granted refugee status and approved for admission to the United States. Although Fanne cannot read or write, her eldest daughter has been educated in Arabic, and will assist her mother in supporting their family. Other family members include 13-, 8- and 6-year-old girls and 11-, 6- and 1-year-old boys. Lutheran Services of Georgia will provide services and volunteer assistance to assist the family in beginning their transition to their new life and self-sufficiency in the United States.

They will face many challenges along the way: adapting to a new environment, learning the public transportation system, enrolling in school, securing employment and learning English. Unlike many other migrant ethnic groups in the United States, the Abdelnabis cannot rely on support from an established ethnic network. As the first Darfuri refugees, they must blaze the trail for those who come after.

And more will surely come, bringing a greater sense of connectedness and community with their shared cultural history. An estimated 2.7 million displaced Darfurians worldwide await a hopeful solution for their plight. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service stands ready to be a part of that solution as we have been for the Abdelnabis.