SayDaNar Community Development Center was founded officially in 2012 and grew out of a network of volunteers, previously known in the city of Lowell as the Burma Volunteer Group (BVG). SayDaNar, with an experienced pool of volunteers including professionals of Burmese origin and people who have worked in Burma and in the refugee camps in Thailand, is well placed to support refugees from Burma to bridge the language and cultural barriers that otherwise inhibit community contribution, participation, and growth in the city of Lowell and Massachusetts. With refugee self-efficacy at the core of our work, Saydanar is integrating and training refugee volunteers. We envision that 5 years from now SayDaNar will be run by refugees for refugees.
WHAT WE DO
Provide educational and awareness raising workshops and programs for community members.
Translate and provide knowledge and tools for refugees and immigrants in culturally specific languages.
Engage in activities and partnerships that assist refugees and new immigrants to become productive, self-sufficient, and responsible members of society.
Trainin staff members, service providers and volunteers to offer effective support, advocacy, education and counseling services.
Promote inclusion of cultures, languages, skills and knowledge into the fabric of the United States.
SayDaNar Community Development Center was founded in 2012 and grew out of a network of volunteers, previously known as the Burma Volunteer Group (BVG). SayDaNar has provided support to refugees from Burma to bridge the language and cultural barriers that otherwise inhibit community contribution, participation, and growth in the city of Lowell and Massachusetts.
SayDaNar’s goal is to help create a community where refugees, new immigrants, and all other community members are working together to help each other become successful and self-sufficient participants in American society while celebrating their rich cultural heritage.
Saydanar provides advocacy, education and services promoting self-efficacy and empowerment of new immigrants and refugees to enhance their economic, health, educational and employment status in the United States to become active citizens contributing positively to their wider communities.
Since 2018, SayDaNar has been ran and operated by former refugees who have become citizens of the United States and are gainfully employed. SayDaNar is a self-supported organization which has relied mainly on the contribution of its community members who raise annual funds by selling Burmese at the Lowell Folks Festival and doing yard works.