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They did it! Congratulations to Uma Sapkota and Krishna Dangal! They just graduated from Henrico High School last Wednesday. What makes their graduation special is that they arrived in Richmond, Virginia, just 30 months ago. Uma and Krishna were born and raised in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal, a two days drive from the city of Kathmandu. “Living in Richmond is a totally different experience from living in a bamboo hut with dirt floors and outdoor bathrooms,” says Uma. Krishna adds, “The area of Nepal we lived in is very tropical. Our refugee camp was located nearby a river next to a jungle. It was not unusual for snakes, especially cobras, to find their way into camp. People often died from snakebites, especially in the summer.” At the refugee camp the Bhutanese were dependent on relief organizations to supply food, health care, and education. Uma proclaims, “Here in Richmond we have can have jobs and pay everything— our rent, our food, and medical care. We feel free here. We have equal rights. The Nepalese government treated us badly.”

Over twenty years ago both Uma and Krishna’s family were forced to flee Bhutan and seek refuge in Nepal because of persecution. Both girls were born and raised in a refugee camp. The Nepalese goverenment was not happy about having so many refugees come to their country. At one time over 100,000 Bhutanese resided in refugee camps in Nepal. Many have now been resettled throughout the world. Approximately 60,000 Bhutanese refugees are currently being resettled in the United States. Almost 500 of our new Bhutanese friends have now been arrived here in Richmond.

Last week several of us from Richmond’s First Baptist Church attended their high school graduation at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Seigel Center. It was a wonderful day of celebration! For Uma and Krishna graduation was a dream come true. Adapting to a new culture and mastering a new language is not for lazy people. For those of us from Richmond’s First Baptist Church, watching them graduate was like seeing a little of heaven come to earth. It is a joyful feeling knowing that we have become family.

Bright, gracious, and humble are some of the words that best describe the spirit of Uma and Krishna. They love learning and they realize more than most 18 year-old teenagers the value of having a good education. They know that the future well-being of their families depends on them. They realize they have a unique opportunity that many people in our world only dream about.

With a big smile Uma exclaims, “Graduating from high school is a great feeling. When I lived in Nepal I had no idea what I would do with my life. Here in Richmond, Virginia, I have a future! Here, I feel I can do anything!”

Uma and Krishna are headed to college this August. They expressed their gratitude to Lindsey McClintock, minister at First Baptist Church, and Jessica Lilley, a college student at Virginia Commonwealth University, for all their help in tudoring and coaching them as they prepare to enter college.

What a delight to have Uma and Krishna, and their families here in Richmond. Of course, they are just a few of the many immigrant families arriving in America today. All of them are beloved by God. All of them are our new sisters and brothers. Sometimes I have the feeling that we may need them more than they need us.

Uma and Krishna did it! And now, they are ready for their next great adventure.

The best is yet to be!

Cheers to Uma and Krishna!

Nemaste!

Ralph Starling

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