If you were once a student or immigrant who arrived from Pakistan in America, you're probably aware of some of the challenges of this situation: isolation, loneliness, a difficult period of adjustment and culture shock.

You would have probably welcomed a helping hand, a comforting word and a listening ear when you first came to America to help you deal with the above-mentioned problems. Or maybe you needed someone to assist you with the basics, like how to get a social security card.

Whatever your difficulties were, you can put that experience to use to help others who are now in that situation by starting up a committee for new immigrants in your community.

This committee would welcome new immigrants right at the airport so that once they step onto American soil, they will automatically meet a familiar face who can ease their transition into a new culture. The group would also act as a referral service for new arrivals, showing them where and how to find what they need whether it's an immigration lawyer, a doctor or how to enrol their kids into public school.

In addition, the committee will organize regular social activities, like dinners to welcome new arrivals, as well as on special occasions like Eid, to foster a community spirit which new arrivals desperately need, especially when they first arive here.

To start this committee, call a meeting of local Pakistani-Americans. If possible, get your local Pakistani-American association or Pakistan Students' Association to support you by providing the space and advertising for the meeting.

During the meeting, explain why you want to start this committee and what exactly the group will do. You should be able to get a core of about four or five volunteers at least, to help out. Make sure that both men and women are involved in this committee.

From here, delegate responsibilities. One person should spread the word about the service and find out if there are any Pakistani families or students arriving soon. If so, this person should work with the committee and local Pakistani organizations to arrange a welcoming party for the new emigres.

Another person should begin contacting doctors and immigration lawyers to find those who are willing to offer free advice and help to new arrivals. Ideally, these professionals should be able to speak at least Urdu, and if possible, other Pakistani languages to be able to communicate with new immigrants.

One person from the committee should contact municipal and state government agencies to find out what resources, like grants, written materials, etc. are available for groups welcoming new immigrants. This person should also ask if the agency has any advice about how to best do this work.

It's important to remember that new immigrants don't just need help in the first month of arrival. They will continue to need help in the months, if not years to come. That's why it's important for one person from the committee to call them once a month to check up on them and see if they need anything. They may feel shy or too proud to ask, so it's important to make sure they know that there are local Pakistanis who care about their needs and are willing to help.

An even better idea may be to pair up a student with a student or a family with a family. In other words, get a Pakistani student or family that is well established or has been in America for a couple of years to be mentor-like figures for the new arrivals. Families should be paired up with those who have, for instace, a similar number of kids in approximately the same age range.

The key to keeping this committee running smoothly is organization, timeliness, follow-up and most importantly, compassion. A new immigrant committee can change the lives of Pakistani immigrants for the better, ensuring a stronger Pakistani-American community in the long run.

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/17/2002 3:48:33 PM

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