Title: Remaking home: The importance of engagement in agricultural livelihood activities for resettled refugees
Author: Penkala, Kristen
Date: May 2014
Description: Master’s Paper, Clark University, Department of International Development, Community and Environment
Forced displacement separates individuals from their homes, land and livelihoods. This study explores the experience of resettled refugees in the U.S. who were farmers in their homeland and the impact of their reconnecting to the land through farming in the U.S. The study uses the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to assess the importance of the project. Based on a combination of participant observation and informal and in-depth interviews with the resettled refugees on New Land Farm in Worcester, Massachusetts, the author identifies the factors that enable refugees to feel “at home” through livelihood activities. The findings emphasize the importance of livelihood for individuals during their transition to a new home. The author concludes that resettlement agencies need to reevaluate their programs and include participation in familiar livelihoods.
Keywords: refugees, resettlement, farming, livelihood, sustainable livelihoods
Cataloged by: Selina Sikder/Peter Nelson/ B. J. Perkins