Sibii Discusses Welcome Corps in New Column

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Razvan Sibii, journalism, continues his discussion of the newly created Welcome Corps program in a new column for the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Sibii shares the story of Edwige Fotso, a refugee from Cameroon who came to the U.S. 17 years ago and quickly started a new life in the country. To "pay it forward," Fotso's faith group has organized a group of five people willing to assist a new refugee as they settle into a new country. "It's a privilege to be able to lend a hand to somebody else that's starting anew. They left their family behind. They've been through a lot. Helping them to get into this country, making sure they're successful – that's really a privilege," says Fotso. 

Sibii shares that the Welcome Corps is focusing its efforts on college campus communities, much like those found in western Massachusetts. He notes that students, faculty, and staff can form five-person sponsorship groups that commit to helping a new refugee navigate college life for at least a year. The group is responsible for assisting with fundraising for expenses (including tuition, room and board, health insurance, etc.) and guiding their ward through everyday life in the U.S.