The Waterville Area New Mainers Project group greatly appreciates the article by Colin Ellis and photographs by Michael Seamans that appeared in Feb. 24’s paper, reporting on a community meeting held at the Waterville library on Feb. 23 (“New Waterville group aims to meet community needs of refugees”).

The article might convey the impression that one individual alone created the group. In fact, a growing number of people deserve credit for all the led up to Thursday’s meeting, first and foremost “CANMP,” or the Capital Area New Mainers Project (the model for WANMP). At the Waterville library gathering, Hasan Al Khafaji and Ahmed Al-Abbas spoke about the Augusta group. Karen Kusiak of Fairfield and Barbara Allen of Belgrade have also been active in the effort.

We can all take pride in our community’s remarkable outpouring of offers to assist New Mainers by providing transportation, serving as English tutors, donating computers and even fund-raising. We live among truly generous neighbors and the Sentinel article provided the means to bring many people together. Thank you!

Julie de Sherbinin

Waterville


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