Benefit Concert for Refugees of Manipur
Tribal homeland of Desi Chai and Diaspora Coffee
featuring music by Audrey Voon & Friends
Friday, July 21, 2023
Daydreamer Coffee | 7315 N Fessenden St
Doors at 6:30pm, music at 7:00pm
Tickets $10
Donations welcome
Sponsorships available
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100% of proceeds to benefit The North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) a non-profit with the following mission:
"1. Perpetuate, preserve, and maintain the heritage of the peoples of the hill-tribes of Manipur.
2. Promote their culture, history, and awareness.
3. Assist and aid North American immigrants, students, and visitors from the hill-tribes of Manipur to settle and assimilate with the mainstream in America.
4. Advocate for the promotion and protection of civil, property, and political rights of the peoples of the hill tribes of Manipur
5. Solicit, raise and disburse funds for humanitarian, cultural, educational, and economic developmental causes and activities directly or in cooperation with other not-for-profit organizations in North America, India or across the world to meet the aforementioned purposes.
We are proud American citizens, taxpayers, and students, all of whom originate from the hill tribes of Manipur, an area that has a rich history which can been traced back to 100 AD, and through oral traditions, genealogies that are traced back over 47 generations."
Click below to donate directly to NAMTA:
Message from Sam, owner of Desi Chai and Diaspora Coffee
((Posted on Instagram June 15, 2023))
Hello everyone, my name is Sam or Khupsamlian Khaute and I am the founder and owner of Diaspora Coffee & Chai Co. LLC. Some of you might have had a sip or two of our chai at one of the many coffee shops in Portland.
My home state Manipur in Northeast India has been rocked by ethnic violence for the last one month now. This has resulted to many being internally displaced. They have become refugees in their own homeland.
I started my company Diaspora Coffee and Chai Co. with the dream of providing a safe space to refugees and immigrants to get back on their feet in the United States as they flee wars and humanitarian crisis. It is ironic that my own family members are now fleeing for their lives and becoming refugees themselves, taking shelter in a place where they’ve never been before along with thousands of others.
My people are very small in number and resources don’t stretch far, especially in time of crisis like this.
The other day my mom told me that she is so thankful that I am here in the United States and able to provide for them because no one is able to work anymore because their city is under attack.
My wife and I are able to provide for my immediate family and extended families. However, it cuts me to the core knowing that there are thousands of people cramped together in school buildings, public buildings and community centers with no food, depending on the generosity of a handful of people that are able to spare a meal or two with them.
I‘ve been numb, unable to act, filled with utter sadness, anger, fear and dismay. I wanted to do something, but I didn’t know where to start. Then I realized that I am not alone. You all are here and I know I can reach out to all of you.
Please take a moment to visit the webpage started by a collection of tribal minorities from Manipur living in the United States. https://namta.us/donate/
And will you please consider making a donation for food and medical supplies needed for the 45,000 of my people who are now displaced, more than 10,000 of which are taking refugee in my hometown, Lamka.
Thank you so much. I so appreciate this community.