The following blog was written by a program participant of CWS’ local Moldovan partner, Healthy City. Healthy City, also known as Zdrovii Gorod, supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support. My name is Sofia Belous. I am 37 years old and from Ukraine, Odesa region, Yuzhny. I am a mom …
“The friendships acquired here will remain for many years”
August 29, 2024
The following blog was written by a program participant of CWS’ local Moldovan partner, Healthy City. Healthy City, also known as Zdorovii Gorod, supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion, and psychosocial support. My name is Khatnyukov Igor. I am 66 years old, and I am from the city of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odessa region. …
The Crisis in Sudan and StARS
August 23, 2024
Since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan last April, experts estimate that the death toll could range anywhere from 15,500 to a shocking 150,000 individuals and, according to the IDMC, the 9.1 million people displaced by the end of 2023 was the most ever recorded in a single country since records began in 2008. This number is estimated to …
Memories of Kabul
August 15, 2024
Today is the three-year anniversary of Kabul’s fall to the Taliban. As I go about my life in Durham, I cannot help but relive my memories of Afghanistan. I was born a girl, which many would consider my first sin. Instead of protecting the rights of women as Islam commands, Afghan men forbid girls from studying, attending school, working, or …
Building a New Future with Long-Standing Partners
August 14, 2024
During July, CWS joined the United Church of Christ (UCC) in celebrating its long-time partnership at UCC offices in Cleveland, Ohio and marking a pivotal moment in CWS’ history: the creation of new Covenant Members. Earlier this year, on May 13, CWS members held a historic meeting where they voted to transition from corporate members to a new role as …
How to Prepare for Natural Disasters (Available in Multiple Languages)
August 13, 2024
OTHER LANGUAGES: ESPAÑOL, UKRAINIAN (УКРАЇНСЬКА), DARI, PASHTO (پښتو), ARABIC (عربي), FRENCH, HAITIAN CREOLE, KINYARWANDA, SWAHILI Are you prepared in the event of a disaster? Have you made an emergency kit? Does your family have a plan? September is National Preparedness Month. Here are some tips for how to prepare for any disaster— for more information and more resources, visit ready.gov! …
Reflection on a Life Changing Moment
Zach Wolgemuth | August 10, 2024
Over 15 years ago in a ‘flash’ my life changed both figuratively and literally. It’s a cool spring evening in May with plenty of stars lighting up the night sky in the rural highlands of Guatemala. My wife and I are living in a small home on the hillside just outside of town. We’ve been in Guatemala for over a …
Debunking Eight Common Myths About Asylum
July 25, 2024
Asylum seekers are ordinary people with lives, plans and dreams for their future. But war, violence and persecution have forced them to leave everything behind for a chance at safety for themselves and their children. More than 6.9 million people around the world were waiting for a decision on their asylum claims at the end of last year. That’s millions …
One Team, Many Flags
Abdi Iftin and Mariana Gama | July 24, 2024
#ForThe100Million Video by Olympics Every two years, athletes from around the world come together to represent their countries and display the highest form of athleticism and sportsmanship. Each team proudly represents their country and gives the competition their all, hoping to make those watching at home proud. The Refugee Olympic Team is no different. While they may represent more …
The Bureaucratization of the Refugee System in Mexico
REDODEM | July 19, 2024
Idania*, a 36-year-old Central American woman, is traveling with her 8-year-old son and is one of the families forcibly evicted from Plaza Giordano Bruno in the Juárez neighborhood of Mexico City, on June 6*. Upon arrival at the southern border, she had intended to request international protection to travel safely north. Within just fifteen days, however, she and her son …