World Refugee Day. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — Multiple cultures and community leaders gathered in Wausau to celebrate diversity Saturday with the city’s first World Refugee Day event.
The Ethiopian community development council, Hispanic American Association, H2N, and more all set up displays of their cultures in the 400 Block where participants had the chance to taste foods from different countries, play three-on-three soccer and get a glimpse of fashion in other parts of the world.
“As an immigrant myself, I feel it is important to foster diversity and not to focus on the differences,” Catalina Cabello, H2N Community healthcare worker, said. “But, on what makes us come together to be unique.”
This is the first year Wausau has hosted a World Refugee Day, but organizers say it will not be the last.
“It gives people a chance to get off TV and (stop) watch those channels that give bad propaganda about people,” said Tony Gonzales, Director of the Hispanic American Association. “And meet people eye to eye and see that we are all just human beings from different cultures that we all have so much to give in our communities, and so much to share.”
Homongshe Khong, H2N Community Health Coordinator, described the growth of acceptance throughout Wausau as a sign of success and growth. As she continues to see new opportunities to grow for the Hmong community.
“We are like a community without a place to call home, so wherever we go, we are always the minority,” Khong said. ” its really great to see the community come together and thrive as a whole.”
World Refugee Day is officially celebrated on June 20th.
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