Refugees recognized during World Refugee Day

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- From the Congo to South Korea, people from all over the world call Bowling Green home. And this weekend, many of them came together to celebrate World Refugee Day.

Cultures worldwide came together on Saturday at the Sloan Convention Center. You could try traditional foods like Fufu, Khanom Tom, and Dolma, without ever leaving the room.

It was a day of celebration, with ten refugee teens walking out with a scholarship from the International Center.

News 40 met up with the Executive Director of the International Center, Albert Mbanfu. He told us by supporting refugees, we’re really supporting the whole community, saying, “we live in a community that is welcoming and that is a testament to who we are as a people. And because of this hospitality, you can see that many of the refugees who come into Bowling Green are thriving and opening shops, buying cars, purchasing homes, paying taxes, and just contributing to the development of the community here in Bowling Green.”

Of course, World Refugee Day is only one day out of the year. If you want to support refugees year-round, stop by the International Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The International Center is always looking for volunteers! If you’re interested in giving back to our refugee community, you can click right here.