Testimonies

Djabrilla's Story

Djabrilla's story is a testament to the miracles that happen every day in the Hope Refugee Drop-In Center. Djabrilla, age 23, comes from the Central African Republic, a country torn by civil war and a haven for human trafficking. About two years ago, while walking home with his parents, they were attacked. Tragically, both of his parents were killed before his eyes, and he was left for dead on the side of the road. He was taken to a nearby refugee camp and given just enough medical care to survive. When Djabrilla's attackers learned that he was living, the UN decided to relocate him to the United States for safety.

Djabrilla was resettled in Texas along with several other refugees, none of whom spoke French or Pular, the languages in which he is fluent. Lost and unable to get the help he needed, he came across a refugee from Buffalo who spoke French. He mistakenly believed that everyone in Buffalo spoke French, and decided to move to Buffalo. Upon his arrival, his friend took him to a homeless shelter and never answered his calls again.

After 45 days in the homeless shelter, Djabrilla walked into the Hope Refugee Drop-In Center with a heavy limp. He bore the evidence of the attack on his face, legs, and body. He was terrified and shrank into his chair with downcast eyes. Unable to understand him, we set up a translation call via phone to piece together his story.

Anna Ireland, Director of Health & Family Services, contacted the Bas family, a French speaking family in Buffalo. Upon speaking with Djabrilla, they soon realized that we was a speaker of Pular. Coincidentally, the father of the family was also a Pular speaker! After this realization, it took only 10 minutes for them to invite Djabrilla to stay with them in their home.

The next week, Djabrilla returned to the Drop-In Center with a smile on his face, and we set out to create a plan for him to move forward. We took him to see Dr. Glick, where he was referred for surgery on his leg, teeth, and scars. After several months, he has had knee surgery and is now biking around the West Side without pain. His teeth are fixed, and the surgery for scarring is scheduled.

Djabrilla has new found hope in his eyes. When he comes into the Drop-In Center, he converses in English about getting his own place and even starting college! Djabrilla is one of thousands that pass through our doors every year. The name of the Hope Drop-In Center reflects the hope of stories like Djabrilla's. By partnering with Jericho Road to support the Drop-In Center, you can be a part of restoring hope in refugees' lives.

Meet Han Moe

Han Moe is a cornerstone of hope in the Jericho Road community. Having spent the last ten years in Buffalo, he understands the plight of new refugees arriving for the first time in the United States.

Han Moe grew up in Kyaung Kwa, Burma, a tiny Karen village. The Karen people, a minority population, have long suffered intolerable cruelties under a military junta, the Burma Socialist Programme Party. For many Karen, life is characterized by fear, homelessness and refugee status. Like countless others, Han Moe recalls being forced to transport arms for the junta as a young boy in his riverboat.

At the age of 17, Han Moe fled to the jungle to join a social activist group seeking the rights of the Karen people. He worked for four years as a combat medic with the Karen National Unit without any contact from family. After the 8/8/88 uprising, Han Moe fled to a refugee camp in Thailand where he worked as a mechanic fixing small engines.

It was through a church community in Bangkok that Han Moe had the opportunity to come to the United States. He explained that, “God sent me the right people in the right place.” After learning a little English, he was accepted by the United Nations Council to settle in Buffalo.

After only living out of a backpack, life in the United States came with a great transition. He slept on a mattress for the first time at the age of 29, and learned how to use a gas stove and a refrigerator. Han Moe expressed incredible gratitude for those who clothed and fed him in his early years in Buffalo. He said, “I will never be able to pay them back.”

It was in this spirit of gratitude for the American people that Han Moe enlisted in the United States Navy. After three months of intense training, he was deployed for a seven month tour in Iraq. Han Moe recently returned from service and is continuing work as a mechanic.

Han Moe is an indispensable part of Jericho Road Ministries. He serves as a volunteer translator in the Family Practice and is a member of the Board of Directors.