A Nomad's Call to Arms

The wonderful, lovely Spring 2011 LiNK Nomads are doing something amazing! They have taken it upon themselves to make the last 2 weeks of their tour count.



Now before you totally disregard this as just one of those LiNK things that I post... I'd like to share why I care soooo much about this issue, this organization, and this campaign.

People in North Korea are suffering. They have hardly any food or shelter, they essentially have no electricity, running water, or any necessities of life. So they are leaving North Korea in search of food, shelter, and jobs. They risk their lives crossing over the Tumen River into China, a country that doesn't want them. China considers North Koreans to be economic migrants (because they come looking for jobs and food). HOWEVER. North Korea considers leaving the country to be the TREASON, a crime punishable from labor camps, torture, and sometimes even DEATH.

China knows this, and yet, they continue to send North Koreans back to their home country, where they will be punished for leaving. Because of the punishments that they will receive, INTERNATIONAL LAW considers North Koreans who leave to be Refugees Sur Place, meaning they cannot return to their home country.

LiNK exists to help these refugees get out of their situation in China. We identify the most "at-risk" refugees who are in the most danger of being repatriated, get them to Southeast Asia, and then resettle them into South Korea or the United States.

LiNK also helps to amplify the voice of those refugees. In the fall, I toured around the country with 12 other crazy people like myself, living out of a van to share the stories of 5 such North Koreans. We were their voice for 10 weeks. People don't know what is going on, and without grassroots support, nothing will ever get done.

There are now 16 new Nomads traveling around the United States and Canada telling the stories of North Korean refugees. And they are kicking it into high gear for their last two weeks on tour. Their goal is to raise $16,000 in the last 16 days of their tour. That might seem like a lot, but all YOU have to do is donate $10 (or whatever you are able to donate). Every dollar, every penny helps to get them closer to their goal, and helps LiNK to rescue one more person who is in danger (or in this case, 6.4 refugees).

Hopefully you read to the end of this... because now here is the link to start out: http://www.causes.com/causes/609382.

Meet Katie, a West Nomad: