In the digital age, access to technology has become an essential component of modern life. From accessing essential services to seeking employment opportunities, the internet has become the gateway to a world of resources. However, for many migrant communities, this digital realm remains elusive, exacerbating the challenges they face in securing adequate housing and other vital necessities. The digital divide …
Journey to a New Home
Vung Ksor | April 19, 2024
Arriving at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport on an early Monday morning in April 2024, I found myself facing a familiar scene: long lines of people waiting at the security checkpoint. Having traveled by air many times before, I knew exactly where to go. Following the signs, I made my way directly to gate C10, bound for Pennsylvania to visit …
Fighting for Women’s Right to Care for Loved Ones
Monica Arango | April 16, 2024
What does it mean to have the right to care for and be cared for? What are countries doing or failing to do to protect this fundamental right of individuals? These were some of the main points addressed by members of the International Network of Women Family Members of Persons Deprived of Liberty, known as RIMUF, along with allied organizations …
Border Shelters Welcome All with New Signage
April 15, 2024
Church World Service is excited to announce collaborative efforts between the Haitian Bridge Alliance, Woori Juntos and Aaliah Higareda, a Goshen College graphic design student, to develop multilingual signage for use by border shelters. The signage, which can be understood by literate guests in multiple languages, employs graphics for non-literate guests’ comprehension, and is available free to interested shelters and …
Kakuma Camp: The Place Called Nowhere
Tonda Pirtle | April 11, 2024
Scroll through images above to see photos of Tonda’s recent visit to Kakuma Kakuma, in Swahili, means “nowhere.” But for over 250,000 refugees, this place is not just a spot on the map of Kenya; it is a sanctuary, it’s a temporary home. My journey to Kakuma Refugee Camp unfolded stories that were as heart-wrenching as they were inspiring. Today, …
Eid Mubarak!
April 10, 2024
Returning to the comforts of hot morning coffee and lunch breaks feels wonderful after thirty days of Ramadan, where those who fasted abstained from daily pleasures like breakfast, lunch, coffee, water and snacks from sunrise to sunset. Today is the day of celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, one of my favorite days of the year, a time for feasting, friendship and …
The Golden Flame
David Shaw | April 9, 2024
A thirteen-year-old boy, his possessions close at hand and surrounded by strangers, is on his way to New Jersey. He left his small Italian town for a multi-day trek by foot and train to Naples and then boarded a ship, one larger than any he had ever seen. He is alone in the North Atlantic, a place feared for its …
Journeying to Africa: A Personal Reflection
Erica Hunter | April 8, 2024
When I signed up to participate in the Overseas Educational Experience in Africa, I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little nervous to travel that far away from home, but mostly excited at the possibility of visiting the continent of Africa and seeing, first-hand, the CWS programs there. I had no idea the life-changing experience that lay ahead …
CWS Harrisburg’s Resettlement Supervisor Champions Immigration Reform at Forum Luncheon
March 26, 2024
On March 14, Sarah Michitsch, CWS Harrisburg’s Resettlement Supervisor, had the opportunity to attend the National Immigration Forum Luncheon in Washington D.C. featuring two insightful panel discussions that shed light on crucial aspects of immigration reform. The first panel, which included panelists Rep. Lloyd Smucker and Rep. Henry Cuellar, answered questions about bipartisan bills aimed at reforming immigration policies. Among …
The Heart of CWS Africa: It’s Staff
Mariana Gama | March 12, 2024
CWS and Africa team members with U.S. based staff on recent program visit trip in Tanzania and Kenya There’s a somewhat magical aspect of remote work that occurs every now and then when you finally get to meet your coworkers in person. A name from an email gets a face, a face from a weekly team call gets a personality. …