SALT LAKE CITY — It is one of the most vulnerable populations in our country: refugees under the age of 18 who fled to the U.S. without their parents. Over 70 of those children now call Utah home. Here, the foster refugees are thriving with the love and support of their American parents.

Laura and Tim Giles of Utah are foster parents to two boys from Eritrea, a country in the horn of Africa bordered by Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. Sixteen-year-old Salih and 18-year-old Anwet fled the violence in Eritrea but had to leave their parents behind.

"They have families who love them and they had to leave their families and so we just wanted to become an American family to them," Laura Giles said.

Through an interpreter, Anwet tells us that they miss their home and families, but he says, "human rights are not protected. There is no freedom in Eritrea."

Conditions in the Ethiopian refugee camp where Anwet was tortured were just as frightening. "It's tough to hear the stories," Tim Giles said.

Late last year, both boys landed in Utah. They spoke no English, were alone and in search of love and support when they found the Giles.

I asked Anwet and Salih how it felt to find a loving family here in Utah? Anwet replied saying, "God actually sent this family for us." The Giles were happy to open their home to these boys.

"No matter where you are in the world, kids are kids and they enjoy having a good time, they want to be loved and I think those are sort of the two things we try to provide," Tim Giles said.

It's obvious there is a lot of love and laughter in the home. The boys are also learning English. But for now, Laura Giles says that "even though there is a language barrier with us, you can totally know their personalities."

Laura Giles describes Anwet as "a little more serious-minded, very mature, very responsible, very helpful and kind." Meanwhile, she says, "Salih is very fun-loving; he's a jokester."

The boys love to learn, and this summer they are learning a host of new skills on the job at Deseret Industries. Anwet says these experiences represent "the first time ever for them to feel that they are free."

Refugees in the foster program all share a love of learning. In June, Catholic Community Services recognized 14 young people from countries around the world who graduated from local high schools this spring.

"I think for so many of our kids, they really understand what a privilege education is and what a privilege it is to have a choice about their future and their careers," said Julianna Potter, the Refugee Foster Care program manager for CCS.

Nai Rodd, an 18-year-old refugee from Myanmar, just graduated and said, "I want to be a good civil engineer, and I want to work with Engineers Without Borders and travel around the world."

Rodd starts college this summer, thanks to supportive foster parents.

"I am really independent, so I do most of the things on my own, but they are really helpful," he said. "I mean, without them, I couldn't do a lot of things."

The challenges facing young refugees have come into sharper focus for their foster parents, who weren't sure they were up to the task of rearing these children.

"I think it sounds very daunting to take somebody from a completely different culture who maybe doesn't even speak English yet into your home," said Potter.

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With three of their four children grown and out of the house, the Giles and their 16-year-old son Luke were ready to welcome Anwet and Salih into their lives.

"We saw a need, and we knew that we had a home and a room and we had room in our hearts," says Laura Giles.

Anwet and Salih find it amazing that they found the Giles and each other. Tim Giles says it is hard to believe how resilient the boys are, especially after the torture Anwet suffered.

"I mean, he has good reason to be cynical and closed out but he's not. He's one of the happiest boys I know," Tim Giles said.

Laura Giles agrees.

"They're both just always smiling, always happy, thank you, Mom, thank you, Dad. Just very loving boys," she said.

Earlier this year, CCS honored the Giles as the foster family of the year.

Potter said once parents take on the responsibility of fostering these kids, "Overall they just bless their parents' lives so much."

CCS is always looking for families who are willing to foster young refugees. The Giles will tell you fostering Anwet and Salih was something they'd never thought about before it happened, and now they can't imagine their lives without these two wonderful young men.

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