Episode 90: Refugee Garden

This episode is about our brief interaction with a wonderful Bhutanese family we met in Atlanta. They are part of a community garden that integrates refugee farmers from around the world by giving them a piece of land to grow vegetables. Despite the challenges of communicating together, we picked some crops, cooked a meal together and enjoyed each others company. This was one of our favorite days on the trip.

  • Matildalee

    That was awesome and looked fantastically delicious. 

  • Robflyhang

    Way cool…..Isn’t it AMAZING how the Smile of Love just shines through on some people….no matter how tough times are? If someone could teach me how to show that face, I would listen. I  “Try To Put My Best Face Forward” as is, but these folks are great.

  • Ayn Perry

    does this mean there is religious persicusion (sp) in Bhutan, the land of the Happiness Gross National Product?

  • ATOWNDOWN

    Systematic ethnic cleansing has been ongoing in Bhutan (yes, the land of the happiness) for decades.  It has been violent and brutal, and Bhutan can now boast having the largest percentage of their population displaced as refugees of any country on earth.  The United States has been accepting tens of thousands Bhutanese refugees in the last 3 years to permanently resettle here via UNHCR.

  • Robflyhang

    ATOWNDOWN

    If you would like to continue this discussion…I am willing to be involved. 

    It would be a shame if you regard my input as casual..

    Oh, I have just been reminded we may be spreading our selves a little thin

    My heart is with you…….Robert

  • Ayn

    what religions are being exterminated?  maybe these lovely gardeners in the video are Hindu? not sure/?

  • Robflyhang

    Did a quick research on Bhutan. Looks to me like the country is finished. I am so proud  of our United States to accept tens of thousands of these refugees.

    Is there ANY other country that openly and legally welcomes the Bhutanese Refugees? I am not goung to make this one a project, unless God reaches down and touches my nose with his finger and says “My son, I want you to work on Bhutan” Guess I’d have to do it then. One Love

    • EPreid

       Rob,  Canada is taking 5000 Bhutanese refugees. 

  • http://twitter.com/SaveenaMcLean Saveena McLean

    I am always so pleased to see people that tries to make a life where ever they are instead of dwelling on what was.  I love this episode Daniel, maybe one day you’ll be in my neck of the woods and we will share some of our ethnic food with you too.

    • Anonymous

      sounds like a plan. thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/LSRebhan Lindsay Rebhan

    Excellent. You should check out the Peace Gardens in Minneapolis off 94/Cedar, I always have a great conversation (sometimes more with hands and laughs) and learn something. 

  • http://twitter.com/ABCDsofCooking Chitra Agrawal

    This video made me smile. The story of Bhutan is such a sad one. I am happy to see this family is making a new life for themselves and still able to enjoy some of the food traditions of their country.

  • Spiralgal

    Thanks for this video and thanks for the information by ATOWNDOWN. This is a beautiful idea. My husband is a college professor, but did a project in an immigrant Hmong area of Sacramento where they set up a garden much like this. The elders shared stories, recipes and meals (until the program was cancelled due to funding). It connect us and that is truly wonderful.