stories of hope
CLIENT STORY #1
In his homeland, T was a member of the political opposition. He worked with an organization that tried to end child exploitation, and spoke out openly about government misuse of public funds. Because of his activities, he was arrested six times and repeatedly tortured. After his last period of detention, lasting several months, he fled his country.
When T arrived in the United States, he had few resources or contacts. Eventually he found a place to live, but it was precarious and unsafe. Memories of what he had experienced during his time in prison returned again and again.
After being encouraged by an acquaintance to contact ASTT, T began to work with a case manager and psychologist. Over time, his memories of the trauma suffered in his home country gradually lessened. The case manager worked with T to find a safe and stable living situation and to enroll in English classes. The case manager also helped him find work in a local store, where he now has a full-time job. As a result of these changes, T began to rediscover hope for his future.
CLIENT STORY #2
J was arrested four times because of his involvement with a political group that supported democratic reform in his country. While in prison, he experienced severe torture.
Several of J’s family members and acquaintances had already been killed or “disappeared” because of their political activities. Despite this, J refused to give up his pro-democracy work. At the same time, he knew that the government was continuing to monitor his activities, and that his next arrest might be his last. When word came that the military police were again looking for him, J’s friends urged him to leave the country. Not seeing any other option, he made his way to the United States.
Although he knew that fleeing his homeland had most likely saved his life, J experienced feelings of guilt over having relinquished his struggle for change there. After arriving in the U.S., he mostly kept to himself, suffering from depression as well as chronic pain related to his injuries.
A lawyer who agreed to help J with his asylum case referred him to ASTT. J’s case manager at ASTT referred him to a hospital for treatment of the injuries caused by his torture. Psychotherapeutic sessions helped him recover from isolation and severe depression.
Connecting with a local faith community has been important to J’s recovery. His self-esteem has been strengthened by participation in English classes, and he plans to take a course in computer skills as well. His hope for the future is to study law.
CLIENT STORY #3
In her home country, Y gave talks about political issues and encouraged women to exercise their right to vote. During a public rally in support of open and democratic election practices, she and her husband were both arrested. Held in a military prison for two months, she was repeatedly beaten and raped.
Y was released after her relatives collected money to give to a prison guard. Through friends, she learned that her husband has been killed while in detention. She fled her country, only taking time to ensure that her young children were safe with family members who lived in the countryside. She then came to the United States, where she had a distant cousin.
A doctor at the clinic where Y went for treatment of abdominal pain resulting from the torture referred Y to ASTT. Over the course of a year, Y met regularly with an ASTT psychotherapist who helped her begin to heal from the significant trauma she had experienced. Y’s Case Manager helped her find housing and training opportunities.
Y was granted asylum in the United States. She immediately initiated the long process of bringing her young children here to join her. One year after receiving asylum, Y earned her certification as a nursing assistant.