‘Don’t Cry … I’m Here’ dolls welcome arrived refugee

A Twin Cities nonprofit has, for the past 2 years, provided more than 500 newly arrived refugees and asylum-seeking children with dolls and bears that look and dress like them. 

Each refugee girl receives a doll tailored to her ethnicity, dressed in a hand-sewn outfit that represents the traditional clothes of the girl’s culture. The dolls also come with one other cultural dress, pajamas and a red, white and blue outfit.

as well as hair accessories, a purse and play food. Boys receive a bear with culturally appropriate outfits. Teenagers receive a soccer ball and a blanket.

The group now works with agencies across Minnesota, North Dakota and areas of Canada, providing gifts for newborns through teens.