The smile on the face of a girl as she received her very first bicycle warmed up the coldest of winter afternoons Thursday.
Bhagawati Poudyel, a 16-year-old Bhutanese girl who has spent nearly her entire life in a refugee camp in Nepal, was delirious with joy when her raffle ticket was picked for a donated bike at Christ Church United Methodist Church, East Seventh Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
“I love America. I love the freedom,” she said in good English, considering she didn’t know a word of it when she arrived in this country four months ago. She goes to South High School.
About 250 refugee children and their parents came to the toy giveaway, which is sponsored and organized by Genevieve Cruz of the Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services. Cruz receives the refugees for their final destination, sent here by the United Nations, then arranges for housing, jobs, education and donations.
“We received about 500 refugees this year, which is the biggest year since 9/11,” said Cruz, who solicited innumerable T-shirts, games, toys, even crayons from metro churches. She even talked the American Legion Post 87 into donating 20 bicycles.
“We need coats, gloves and hats. Many of these people have nothing. We badly need gift certificates from King Soopers and other grocery stores,” she said. “The refugees must rely on food stamps until they find work, and that takes 45 days to start. In the meantime, they have to eat.”
Indira Dhakal arrived with her husband, two sons and a daughter from a Nepalese refugee camp where they lived for years.
“Americans are very nice. Lots of people help us,” she said, with a wide smile under a Denver Nuggets knit cap. “I am looking for a job, anything to do work. It doesn’t matter, I just want to work.”
Cruz said to donate, or to learn more, contact her through the website , or call her at 303-860-0128.
People also may contact the Colorado Refugee Services Program, 789 Sherman St., Suite 250, Denver, CO 80203, or at 303-863-8211.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
