GoBYO Formed in Oregon.

Resettled Bhutanese youths in Oregon have recently formed a new social organization to help the vulnerable Bhutanese in this region and to maintain and promote Bhutanese culture and tradition.  According to the information furnished  by one of its executive members, Mr. Som Nath Subedi from Portland,formation of the ‘Group of  Bhutanese Youths in Oregon’ (Go-BY-O) has officially been declared a few days ago with its primary objectives to work for the  preservation of culture, language  and identity; and to help early integration of the Bhutanese Communities in this far western US state. Mr. Subedi, who is also the core group member of the bhutanusa.com reports that this newly established non-profit organization also aims at helping the Bhutanese relocate themselves in the region  defending every-day hurdles, hardships and hinderances on their way to  a better, safe and a healthy living. As per their Mission Statement it is learnt that they have formed a nine member Ad Hoc committee that has been assigned the responsibilities of preparation of By-laws and constitution to be presented in the next general meeting of the members.

Members of the Group of Bhutanese Youths in Oregon

Mission Statement

Group of Bhutanese Youths in Oregon (Go-BY-O)

Since the beginning of  the first quarter of  the year 2008,  resettlement of Bhutanese refugees took place  in Oregon, the north-western most state of the United States.  Soon after they arrived in the state, they started facing unexpected cultural shocks that delayed their understanding and assimilation with local society in what is called the new land of  hope and opportunities. They have also been confused with local culture and tradition that  lead some to think  whether it is going to be a threat to their own culture if they fail to integrate with the American culture and system of  life  . They had a traumatic situation back in refugee camps under the make- shift huts for 18 years questioning on their own future lies compared to inferior standard of human society they have gone through in the camps. By virtue of humanitarian operation, now a portion of them have also been relocated  in otherwise known as  The Beaver State for a better future with a new lease for life . Their lack of English language proficiency has become a big barrier for adjustment in local marketing atmosphere as an immediate need for success. Newly arrived groups need sufficient training to get familiar with new ways of cooking by using unfamiliar equipments, getting to know local transportation system, knowing the way to find good job, and getting right counseling for available benefits etc. These pre-requisites for initial living  may become  new challenges of  life in America for these people . This may further breed frustration among the people  for they had been kept aloof from living  lives within the periphery of twenty-first century  dynamic and complicating lifestyles for years. Keeping all these difficulties and challenges in mind and in order to prevent these inevitable epidemics which otherwise will creep into the lives of our people, we the under signed individuals have agreed to form an organization of youth group with a strong commitment to cope among  its members to bring the best to the Bhutanese here in Oregon. We are confident that we will stand united to help Bhutanese in any difficulties that may come up while settling in this otherwise referred to as the land of opportunities.

The group will seek potential opportunities to achieve the goals through mutual co-operation and understanding among each other. GoBYO has taken seriously the dire need to  provide necessary orientation and training as well as teaching to learn how to survive and create a comfortable environment for all refugees who come to settle in Portland, Oregon.  The Group will  work to make possible arrangements for  all these activities.  It is hereby declared that we as the BHUTANESE REFUGEES  living in Portland, Oregon  agreed to form an organization on the 22nd  day of August , 2009, Saturday and named as GROUP of BHUTANESE YOUTHS  in  OREGON  (GoBYO).  The constitution and bylaws of the organization will be prepared by the ad hoc committee consisting of following individuals and will be presented in the next general meeting.

Deepak Koirala

Shiva Nepal

Bhim Tiwari

Prakash Gajmer

Som Subedi

Yamuna Tiwari

Tek Poudel

Sudarshan Rizal

Chitra Chuwan

In this effort of ours to go ahead with good cause, we welcome suggestions and directions from all who are  seriously concerned about the resettled Bhutanese .