African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation

The African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIRF) was founded in 2000 to facilitate the effective transition of African Immigrant to American society and to support their productive, sustainable integration into their new homeland. The AIRF was born out of the influx of African refugees who may not have lived in urban Africa, let alone urban Amer... ica. This influx is accelerated by economic and political wars which have produced unprecedented numbers of political and economic refugees. Being physically uprooted is traumatic and results in multiple suffering, isolation, loss, shock and a sense of hopelessness -often suffered over an extended period of time. As a mental Health professional, and an immigrant herself, Dr. Kamau founded the AIRF to become an oasis and a resource for the Africans who until today remain an enigma in the Western world. The AIRF in conjunction with its volunteers and funding partners empowers new arrivals with survival skills, mental health services, ESOL classes, job evaluation, preparation and placement. We also provide African Cultural Competency training to caregivers in order to enhance intercultural communication and effective interventions. African Immigrant are the fastest growing immigrant population in America. There are over 1 million African foreign born in the United States according to 2000 US Census Bureau. According to the 2000 Census, the African-born population in the D.C. Metropolitan area saw a 150% increase in the past decade. Yet, local social service agencies lack the cultural knowledge and skills required to effectively address the immediate needs of this community. Whether they arrive on immigrant visas or as refugees, newly arrived Africans face several challenges. Many are in dire need of adaptation and adjustment services with particular emphasis on coping and accessing available resources. For example, the family from Mali that tragically died in the Bronx on March 11, 2007 was unaware of the dangers of space heaters. On arrival to the US, acute needs ...Read More