“We came here from around the world,” Nurzayee said. “Now all refugees from around the world are here like one big family.”

World Day at Hunter Park also included a global food court, performances from refugees, a global arts and crafts fair and activities and tours in the Hunter Park Community Garden House.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan hosted the Family Health Walk Saturday where participants who walked four laps, or two miles, around the Hunter Park path received a $5 coupon to be exchanged at the food court or the Allen Street Farmers Market, which is held every Wednesday.

Nurzayee is now only eight required English and two fitness credits away from being a Lansing Community College graduate. Afterward he said he plans to attend MSU to further his education. He hopes to use his degree to one day open his own clinic to help others with prosthetic legs, which he wears himself because of the accident.

Finding his goal
Nurzayee is originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, but he is now a U.S. citizen living his dream as a Lansing resident.

Tamra Johnson, community relations and marketing director for St. Vincent Catholic Charities, said between 600 and 700 refugees come to the Lansing area every year.

“(The refugees are) not just bringing things and family, but the unique things about (their) culture,” Johnson said. “(It) makes our city very unique.”

Johnson said World Day at Hunter Park is a way for community members to embrace and understand the diversity in Lansing and an opportunity for former refugees to gain knowledge about the resources available to them, such as how to use the bus system and local charities who are more than willing to help.

“When coming to a new country and people don’t understand what you’re about, … events like this help,” Johnson said. “There are lots of stereotypes about refugees … this helps people learn about it.”

Elizabeth Goudie, MSU alumna and World Day at Hunter Park volunteer, said the event helped inform the Lansing community about the refugees in the area.

“(World Day) showcases the diversity and different cultures in our community that they don’t even know are here,” Goudie said.

Miracle
Following six years in a refugee camp in Africa, Freddy Nyembwe came to the U.S. in 2009 with his wife and children to find a better life in Lansing.

Nyembwe performed his song “Miracle” off his self-titled album at World Day.

“Why ‘Miracle’?” he said. “Because I’m here. Many of my brothers and sisters died (in the camp). Through God’s miracle I’m here alive.”

He plans to create a full album with the money from this current CD sales and said he also plans to use the money to create his own foundation to help the women and children who are raped and molested in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“People who buy the album are trying to make my dream grow,” he said. “I am a minister of God singing the gospel, preaching to people by song.”

Nyembwe said he is grateful to be a part of World Day at Hunter Park not only to promote his music, but also to get closer with the Lansing community.

“(This) event means that people from the Lansing area (came) to celebrate with us and lets us know that we are not alone,” Nyembwe said.