Volunteers in Ottawa
KLEO Support Group offers unique opportunities to people who are interested
in providing on-going assistance to ethnic Karen refugees in adapting to life in Ottawa.
Background
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In 2006, in cooperation with the UNHCR, the federal government began the process of resettling Karen refugees from camps on the Thai/Burma border.
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The first group of Karen refugees arrived in September of 2006.
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The Karen received initial support from settlement agencies.
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Karen government assisted refugees have been identified as high needs because they fit into the following categories;
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- are victums of violence, trauma or torture.- lived in refugee camps for extended periods of time.- are not used to modern/complex lifestyles- have no knowledge of our official languages- are illiterate or have received minimal education
