Danvas thought it was important for us to understand the definitions and differences between refugees and asylum-seeker.
He worked with UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) supporting and protecting the rights of those seeking asylum. He pointed out that there are National asylum systems in place to determine who qualifies for international protection.
A person seeking asylum will need to show that they fear persecution and cannot find protection in their country and that it is not safe for them to return. If all is approved then they become a refugee. They are not considered a refugee unless they actually go to a different county and their asylum is founded. it is important to understand that this is a legal process. Some asylum-seekers are returned to their home country.
He pointed out that, by using the legal process and taking advantage of what the United States offers, refugees can not only survive but thrive. He briefly shared a story of a Somalian refugee who won a seat in the House of Representatives in southeast Minneapolis with 80 percent of the vote (click here for story).
He said that in other countries the life of a refugee is much different. Though they may have houses, those are all together in a refugee "camp". Often the people living there do not have a future - they simply go there until they die. They don't have an ownership interest so little interest in working to make the living conditions better including a disregard for the environment.
In the United States there is more freedom. With that freedom, the refugees become better citizens and have a future. They can live in houses in any area and take care of the properties because they have an ownership interest.
MAMA - Midwestern African Museum of Art
Danvas said he was very surprised when he first visited MAMA. He said it is much larger than he expected and is a great educational opportunity. He currently serves as executive director.
The tag line of the website (click here) is "Travel to Africal without a passport". But it is much more than a museum. They have events such as reading Africa themed books at "Read Aloud" activities and "Common Sense Parenting" classes in partnership with Boys Town.
The mission is "To preserve, present, promote the beauty and rich history of African art, culture, and people while providing programs and resources that enrich our community."
BIO:
Dr. Danvas Mabeya graduated with a doctorate degree in Sociology from Kansas State University in 2011. Mabeya has a BA in International Relations and a double Masters degree in Political Science and International Relations. Mabeya has been associated and teaching undergraduate courses in Sociology at Southeast Community College (SCC) since 2013 and enjoys teaching diversity and culture. He has worked with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) as a research intern from 1998 to 2000 at Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO - Kenya) in 1997 assisting in coordinating Somalia-PEER-programs for educational and emergencies in the Horn of Africa. Until a recent appointment as an executive director of MAMA,Mabeya has been a volunteer vice Chair and Board since 2017.