Bowling Green, Kentucky Shows a Warm Welcome to Refugees with Hygiene Kits
Hygiene Kits by Local Bank Provide Essential Aid to Newcomers
In a laudable gesture of goodwill, a local bank in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has provided 500 hygiene kits to refugees who are settling in the area at the International Center of Kentucky. The move has been described as a vital step in aiding refugees to feel more at home in their new community while they acclimate to their new surroundings.
Executive Director of the International Center of Kentucky, Albert Mbanfu, expressed his delight at the bank’s generosity, stating, “We all want to look, smell and feel good. And this is something that many people take for granted that we really value, and we want to pass that value over to the newcomers.”
Addressing Challenges for Refugees
While everyday essentials such as soap and deodorant are often viewed as commonly accessible commodities, newcomers might struggle to locate these necessary items in an unfamiliar setting. Justin Morris, the president of the contributing bank, shared his thoughts on the significant difference such a kind gesture can make.
He explained, “It helps to take a step back. When we identified some unique challenges that were faced by refugees and immigrants entering into our community… things that you now take for granted, like going in and opening a bank account, can be a lot more difficult for somebody who’s new to our country.”
Bank Account Provision: More than Hygiene
Besides supplying hygiene kits, this local bank has been working on providing bank accounts for newcomers in the area. Morris underscored the importance of this initiative by saying, “It is way more than just hygiene. You know, it’s about dignity and feeling welcome in a community.”
Albert Mbanfu echoed these sentiments as he noted, “That love that they have for the newcomers into the community… This is what any civil society wants to see. People who give back to the community to make them feel that they are part of the United States.”
