BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (WCAX) – The School for International Training is celebrating its 60th year of educating students. In a partnership with World Learning, the school launched the New Vermonter Education Program, resettling refugees on its Brattleboro campus.
“So when we come into another country we always assume our dream to come true,” said Bibimba Mufaume of the New Vermonter Education Program.
The School for International Training in Brattleboro and World Learning launched the New Vermonter Education Program two years ago. It’s one of 10 designated refugee resettlement programs in the U.S.
The school has housed more than 300 refugees, including Mufaume who fled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“When I came to Vermont, especially in Brattleboro at [the School for International Training], I have a good experience because we found a good community of people,” Mufaume said.
“I was housed here and my family for about a month, so it was a great opportunity for me to acclimate with the area and get to know the people here, as well as some time to think about my employment plan,” said Amir Samar of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation.
Refugees stay on the campus for up to three months while finding permanent housing in addition to English language and cultural curriculum.
World Learning, which helps run the school, hosted panels last Friday highlighting the state’s role on the global stage.
“It’s exposing not only me but all refugees which are living here in Brattleboro, in Vermont and in the United States,” Mufaume said.
“People need education to be able to advance. It should be for all of us,” said former Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, who is a supporter of the program and was the keynote speaker at the school’s graduation over the weekend.
While in Washington, Leahy helped secure $1 million in federal money to help fund the program, resettling refugees first in Brattleboro and then throughout southern Vermont.
“Our foreign policy shouldn’t be based on bluster, it should be based on who we are and what we can do together,” Leahy said.
Mufaume said he hopes to help more refugees adjust to life in Vermont when they come through Brattleboro.