BUILDING CULTURAL AWARNESS
CULTURAL AWARENESS
The acknowledgment of cultural differences is necessary when working with refugees, enabling understanding and respect for their identity, values, and practices, and fostering trust and effective relationships.
Additional Resources
Refugee and Immigrant Volunteer Summit (RAIVS) | For the past 3 years, ReEstablish Richmond has partnered with Sacred Heart Center and the International Rescue Committee to host a series of training sessions for volunteers and community members supporting newcomers. Since this year’s event was virtual, we are able to share recordings. You might find the following session helpful: Trauma Informed Care - John Richardson Lauve from ChildSavers
CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
This list reflects the home countries of the majority of our current client communities (not ranked).
AFGHANISTAN
RELIGION: Afghans are primarily Sunni Muslim (80%) and Shia Muslim (19%).
LANGUAGE: Afghanistan has two official languages: Afghan Persian (or Dari) is spoken by 50% of the population, and Pashtu is spoken by 35%. There are over 30 other languages, with many Afghans speaking more than one language.
Additional Resources
UKRAINE
RELIGION: Most Ukrainians identify as Christian (84.6%). With the most dominant denominations being Orthodox (70.9%) and Catholicism (11.2%).
LANGUAGE: Ukrainian is spoken widely by 68% of the country's population with Russian being the second most used language at 30%.
Additional Resources
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
RELIGION: Most Congolese refugees identify as Christian: Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, or Seventh Day Adventist.
LANGUAGE: French is the official language of the DRC and is spoken by folks who had the opportunity to attend school. Most Congolese refugees speak Swahili as their first language. Some may only speak a tribal language.
EL SALVADOR
RELIGION: Salvadorians largely adhere to Catholicism (39.1%) and Evangilism (36.9%) with 19.9% of Salvadorians not adhering to any religious faith.
LANGUAGE: The official and most used language of El Salvador is Spanish with small populations usuing the native tongue of their regions. Those from indigenous communities in El Salvador may speak one of the many native langauges like Nawat, Kekchi, or Lenca depending on their region of origin; however, only 15% of the country self-identify as indigenous.
GUATEMALA
RELIGION: Guatemala is a majority Christian nation with 41% of the population identifying as Catholic and 41% as Evangelist.
LANGUAGE: There are 25 languages spoken in Guatemala with Spanish (69.9%) being the most widely spoken and official language of the country. Mayan languages such as Q'eqchi', K'iche, and Mam are spoken by more than 29% of the population.
SUDAN
RELIGION: Sudan is a majority Muslim country with over 90% of the population identifying as Muslim (mostly Sunni with small Shia population and some who identify with Sufism). Prominent Christian populations can be found in larger cities.
LANGUAGE: Sudan has 70 native languages, but the official languages are Arabic and English.
SYRIA
RELIGION: At 93%, the vast majority of Syrians are Muslim (majority Sunni, also Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia). Only 5% identify as Christian (Greek Orthodox and Catholic, Syriac Christians, Aramaic-speaking Christians, and Armenian Catholics).
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English.