A Northern Virginia Church is bringing 200 Russian immigrents here to Hagerstown.
Where will they live? How will they fit in ? With no one to help with translation of language. The local Dept. of S.S. will get stuck with all the problems.
Why should the local are have to be a dumping area for another states situation.
My thoughts are if Virginia brought them here. They should be the ones to help them along in fitting in and ajusting.
Full Version: Russian Immmigrents
It may not be as bad as all that. Ocean City, MD businesses have been employing Russian students for some time now. It's been several years since I've been there (I really don't like O.C.) but they were polite, efficient and were able to understand.
But you raise a good question. Why Hagerstown? And the NOVA Church should be providing help to these folks to assimilate into our area.
Boy! Talk about your outsiders!
But you raise a good question. Why Hagerstown? And the NOVA Church should be providing help to these folks to assimilate into our area.
Boy! Talk about your outsiders!
I doubt we would have even noticed them with out being told. How many Mexicans do you think relocate to the area every week?
Also Indians. Citi Bank brings them to Hagerstown to work for them.
Russians? Where's Petrouchka when we need her?
About 100% of the workers in Ocean City MD are young Russians and American college students.
I don't see the problem, especially if another Anna Kournikova or Maria Sharapova is in there somewhere. I adjusted fine to French when I was living there and not knowing too much of the language.
...just because they're not American doesn't mean they're stupid and won't be able to adapt quickly.
I don't see the problem, especially if another Anna Kournikova or Maria Sharapova is in there somewhere. I adjusted fine to French when I was living there and not knowing too much of the language.
...just because they're not American doesn't mean they're stupid and won't be able to adapt quickly.
QUOTE (Mcgee @ Aug 14 2005, 12:34 PM)
A Northern Virginia Church is bringing 200 Russian immigrents here to Hagerstown.
Where will they live? How will they fit in ? With no one to help with translation of language. The local Dept. of S.S. will get stuck with all the problems.
Why should the local are have to be a dumping area for another states situation.
My thoughts are if Virginia brought them here. They should be the ones to help them along in fitting in and ajusting.
Where will they live? How will they fit in ? With no one to help with translation of language. The local Dept. of S.S. will get stuck with all the problems.
Why should the local are have to be a dumping area for another states situation.
My thoughts are if Virginia brought them here. They should be the ones to help them along in fitting in and ajusting.
I think its great! More then likely the NOVA church will be helping them become established in the community and are not necessarily dumping them in Hagerstown. I will feel less like an "outsider" now!
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Aug 14 2005, 01:59 PM)
It may not be as bad as all that. Ocean City, MD businesses have been employing Russian students for some time now. It's been several years since I've been there (I really don't like O.C.) but they were polite, efficient and were able to understand.
But you raise a good question. Why Hagerstown? And the NOVA Church should be providing help to these folks to assimilate into our area.
Boy! Talk about your outsiders!
But you raise a good question. Why Hagerstown? And the NOVA Church should be providing help to these folks to assimilate into our area.
Boy! Talk about your outsiders!
200 of them!!!!! As a fellow outsider I must say some of you locals better start raising a stink PRONTO! If you can't stand to have 1 of them move here you guys have got to be livid! Welcome to little Moscow
Zodrosvoitchye!!!
Easy Sam,
I just asked some questions about them.
You need to change your cereal. It`s making you grumpy in the morning j,k.
I just asked some questions about them.
You need to change your cereal. It`s making you grumpy in the morning j,k.
QUOTE (Mcgee @ Aug 15 2005, 08:17 AM)
Easy Sam,
I just asked some questions about them.
You need to change your cereal. It`s making you grumpy in the morning j,k.
I just asked some questions about them.
You need to change your cereal. It`s making you grumpy in the morning j,k.
Hey I agree with you McGee. Why are they bringing them here? Is NoVa. too good for them? If the church wanted to help them couldn't they do a better job if they weren't 60 miles away? I just figured there would be an uproar over 200 transplants. I will stick up for the lone transplant family that moves here but I'm not gonna back 200 of them! Although, it is someone new to blame all of Washco's problems on
Lets just hope they are not from the Chechnya area.
QUOTE (WVDragonlady @ Aug 15 2005, 07:51 AM)
Zodrosvoitchye!!!
Bless you!
QUOTE (WVDragonlady @ Aug 15 2005, 07:51 AM)
Zodrosvoitchye!!!
That stuff's great mixed with a little lime juice and Triple Sec!
Daviettey Posnocomimseya! (I have to it phonically cuz I ain't got no Russian fonts!) 
QUOTE (WVDragonlady @ Aug 15 2005, 12:50 PM)
Daviettey Posnocomimseya! (I have to it phonically cuz I ain't got no Russian fonts!)
I say we send all of them to WV since Dragonlady already speaks their language she could help them all out
I'm guessing they'll be "legals"? Not like the mexicans and cubans that come into the country. 
I think I remember a couple of years back martinsburg was trying to do a sister city type thing with russia. guess it didn't work out.
I think I remember a couple of years back martinsburg was trying to do a sister city type thing with russia. guess it didn't work out.
New articles on the Russian refugees! There's that word again, lol!
I have not seen any Russians, as of yet!
Refugees Find a Place to Call Home in Hagerstown
Refugees Find a Place to Call Home in Hagerstown
Posted by sabraham on 2005/8/30 18:28:04 (519 reads)
HAGERSTOWN, MD- Refugees, you may not picture them living in Hagerstown, but there are and more are on the way.
Eight refugees have arrived in Hagerstown, after generations of wandering.
They are people without a country.
“They're native language is Turkish, but most of these people have not ever been to turkey,” said George Miller, from the Literacy Council of Wash Co.
Around the world, they're known as Mesketian Turks, originally from a region in Asia now known as the country of Georgia. Since 1944, they haven't had a place to call home.
“It’s been a very long road,” said Zeynab Chertmanova, a refugee
“In 1944, my grandparents were moved to Uzbekistan. They lived in Uzbekistan until 1989, when the government didn't want us to stay anymore. We were told to leave. The government started to kill lots of people, Turkish people, and we didn't have any choice but to move to Russia,” said Navruz Muradov, another refugee.
But Russia didn't want them either. They were treated like second-class citizens, unable to even get a marriage license. Finally, the U.S. stepped in offering refugee status to 18,000 of them.
“There are about 25-30 families who are already in Hagerstown, who have been displaced from Russia, and arrived in the U.S. with just their personal luggage and nowhere to go,” said Doctor Shahab Siddiqui, M.D. from the Islamic Society of Western MD.
The first group arrived six months ago with hope and a host of challenges for local agencies like the language barrier.
“English is very foreign to them. Most of the people have not had any English training or teaching prior to coming here,” said Miller.
But they do speak Turkish and Russian. Volunteers from the literacy council got to work. Now HCC is continuing the task, hosting three hours of English class every morning.
They are learning new words, words that will give them freedom for everyday life and for future generations.
The language barrier isn't the only challenge for refugees and aid agencies.
Wednesday NBC 25 will explore how they manage in a foreign land, without driver's licenses.
I have not seen any Russians, as of yet!
Refugees Find a Place to Call Home in Hagerstown
Refugees Find a Place to Call Home in Hagerstown
Posted by sabraham on 2005/8/30 18:28:04 (519 reads)
HAGERSTOWN, MD- Refugees, you may not picture them living in Hagerstown, but there are and more are on the way.
Eight refugees have arrived in Hagerstown, after generations of wandering.
They are people without a country.
“They're native language is Turkish, but most of these people have not ever been to turkey,” said George Miller, from the Literacy Council of Wash Co.
Around the world, they're known as Mesketian Turks, originally from a region in Asia now known as the country of Georgia. Since 1944, they haven't had a place to call home.
“It’s been a very long road,” said Zeynab Chertmanova, a refugee
“In 1944, my grandparents were moved to Uzbekistan. They lived in Uzbekistan until 1989, when the government didn't want us to stay anymore. We were told to leave. The government started to kill lots of people, Turkish people, and we didn't have any choice but to move to Russia,” said Navruz Muradov, another refugee.
But Russia didn't want them either. They were treated like second-class citizens, unable to even get a marriage license. Finally, the U.S. stepped in offering refugee status to 18,000 of them.
“There are about 25-30 families who are already in Hagerstown, who have been displaced from Russia, and arrived in the U.S. with just their personal luggage and nowhere to go,” said Doctor Shahab Siddiqui, M.D. from the Islamic Society of Western MD.
The first group arrived six months ago with hope and a host of challenges for local agencies like the language barrier.
“English is very foreign to them. Most of the people have not had any English training or teaching prior to coming here,” said Miller.
But they do speak Turkish and Russian. Volunteers from the literacy council got to work. Now HCC is continuing the task, hosting three hours of English class every morning.
They are learning new words, words that will give them freedom for everyday life and for future generations.
The language barrier isn't the only challenge for refugees and aid agencies.
Wednesday NBC 25 will explore how they manage in a foreign land, without driver's licenses.
Watch out they may be getting there driver's licenses soon! 
Volunteers Help Pave the Way for Local Refugees
HAGERSTOWN, MD- Imagine having to get a ride every time you go somewhere. That's how it is for local refugees.
As Turkish and Russian speaking refugees living in Hagerstown, you'd think English would be the most obvious problem.
“Even more than teaching these people is just coordinating their actions. When you have 40 or 50 people with different schedules, jobs,” said Lee Ware, an interpreter.
“It is like running 25 different households,” said Shahab Siddiqui, M.D., from the Islamic Society of Western MD.
Most of the 80 plus refugees have yet to obtain driver's licenses.
So getting them from place to place has fallen to the local mosque, local churches, anyone who will volunteer their time and minivan.
“It's a big effort, but lots of people are trying to help,” said Pastor Ed Heim from St. John's Lutheran Church.
“Off and on they need our help, anytime they call us, to go to groceries,” said Kaukab Faridi, a volunteer driver.
“Our job opportunities like the bus shuttle, gets them to employment,” said David Engle, from the Dept. of Social Services.
“It needs to be done, basically. And I have the time to do it,” said Betty Wilson, another volunteer driver.
After six months, the endless errands have taken a toll on the volunteers. But they said they love to help and admit this interfaith task is probably greater than the sum of its parts.
“This is going to bring the community a lot of cohesiveness and understanding and build bridges to bring the community together,” said Siddiqui.
The concerted and humble effort doesn't go unnoticed.
“America good. American people very, very good,” said Mukhabbat Gilmanova, a refugee.
“They're the only people we know here and they've done so much to help us. She's really overwhelmed by everyone's generosity,” said Zeynab Chertmanova, a refugee.
It’s a generosity that spans language, race, generation, and faith.
Volunteers Help Pave the Way for Local Refugees
HAGERSTOWN, MD- Imagine having to get a ride every time you go somewhere. That's how it is for local refugees.
As Turkish and Russian speaking refugees living in Hagerstown, you'd think English would be the most obvious problem.
“Even more than teaching these people is just coordinating their actions. When you have 40 or 50 people with different schedules, jobs,” said Lee Ware, an interpreter.
“It is like running 25 different households,” said Shahab Siddiqui, M.D., from the Islamic Society of Western MD.
Most of the 80 plus refugees have yet to obtain driver's licenses.
So getting them from place to place has fallen to the local mosque, local churches, anyone who will volunteer their time and minivan.
“It's a big effort, but lots of people are trying to help,” said Pastor Ed Heim from St. John's Lutheran Church.
“Off and on they need our help, anytime they call us, to go to groceries,” said Kaukab Faridi, a volunteer driver.
“Our job opportunities like the bus shuttle, gets them to employment,” said David Engle, from the Dept. of Social Services.
“It needs to be done, basically. And I have the time to do it,” said Betty Wilson, another volunteer driver.
After six months, the endless errands have taken a toll on the volunteers. But they said they love to help and admit this interfaith task is probably greater than the sum of its parts.
“This is going to bring the community a lot of cohesiveness and understanding and build bridges to bring the community together,” said Siddiqui.
The concerted and humble effort doesn't go unnoticed.
“America good. American people very, very good,” said Mukhabbat Gilmanova, a refugee.
“They're the only people we know here and they've done so much to help us. She's really overwhelmed by everyone's generosity,” said Zeynab Chertmanova, a refugee.
It’s a generosity that spans language, race, generation, and faith.
QUOTE (WVDragonlady @ Aug 15 2005, 12:50 PM)
Daviettey Posnocomimseya! (I have to it phonically cuz I ain't got no Russian fonts!)
Looks like they actually speak Turkish, Dragonlady!
At least this particular group.
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