Stories of Change

David and his little sister at Anastasis

Together Again in a New Home

Before the war in Ukraine, 13-year-old David was like many pre-teens his age. He attended a good school, had friends and dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. His family was proud and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Little did they know that life would change drastically, creating new challenges for the close-knit family. 

When the war broke out, David insisted on staying in his hometown of Khmilnytskyi to finish the school year, even as his family decided to seek refuge in Moldova. With heavy hearts, his parents decided that they would respect David’s wishes, especially because he had the safe option of staying behind under the guardianship of his grandmother, who also wanted to stay. His mother, Maria, recalls the agonizing decision, “He promised to join us in summer. I felt so helpless, constantly watching the news and worried sick about my child in danger.”

In April 2024, after much discussion, Maria finally convinced David to come to Moldova. The family found shelter in Bălți and Maria, knowing her son needed friends and a place to feel at home, brought him to the *Anastasis Educational Center.

Initially, David was withdrawn and sad, and he visited the center only to connect with his friends in Ukraine through social media. He was distant and spoke very little with the other children. However, with time and support from the center’s psychologist, David began to open up and feel safe. He started participating in the center’s activities and soon made his first friend, Andrei, a local boy from Bălți. David enthusiastically shared, “We make a great team. We especially enjoy the culinary clubs and volunteer activities.”

In a relatively short time, David made new friends and began to feel like himself again. His mother tearfully expressed her gratitude, sharing that “at Anastasis, David discovered a new world that partially replaced the friends and home he left in Ukraine. The educators here have worked wonders. We’re so grateful for all the help we’ve received.”

David has decided to stay in Bălți with his family until the war ends. This past June, his younger sister also started attending the Anastasis Center and David has played a crucial role in helping her to adapt and make new friends like he did.

Now David, his sister and their mother regularly visit Anastasis and actively participate in all the center’s activities. Maria shared that without the support and care of the Anastasis team, she believes they would have struggled immensely. “Thank you for everything. I know it’s thanks to you that my son has managed to adapt and get through this difficult situation much more easily. I wish for all children to grow up safely alongside their parents.”

*The Anastasis Educational Center is run by our local partner, Diaconia, and aims to help Ukrainian refugees heal and rebuild their lives. At the center, program participants can receive psychological support, attend vocational classes, partake in fun activities and access computers to attend online school. 

This story is possible thanks to CWS’ membership in ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.  It is also supported by the generosity of UMCOR. You can learn more about the work we are doing in Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees by clicking here. 

Stories of Change

Top: Michael Mwendwo, Middle: beans grown by farmers in Kitui, Bottom: IoT device

IoTs Support Farmers in Nairobi

The people of Kitui County, Kenya, which is east of Nairobi, had three seasons of failed harvest. The communities in this county were feeling the effects of climate change, and life was extremely hard without successful harvests. CWS started working with these communities in 2021 to improve their resilience by increasing the utilization of technology in climate change information.

Earlier this year, the communities were filled with hope after finally having a successful harvest. Farmers grew a bounty of coriander, greens and beans and shared how they have a varied diet. This dietary diversity has led to noticeable enhancements in their children’s health. They cultivated mung beans, a type of legume, as a source of protein and cowpeas, also known as black-eyed peas, for energy. Additionally, they grew sunflowers and sorghum, primarily to feed their chickens.

What led to this successful harvest after so many failed seasons? A significant factor was a compact IoT device that relayed crucial data to the farmers. IoT, which stands for “Internet of Things,” are devices with sensors that can process data, connect to other devices and exchange that information over the internet.

CWS piloted this project with 160 farmers, installing six IoT devices in gardens over six kilometers with the goal of understanding climate information. Nancy Mwakha, CWS Africa’s Project Officer for the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Program, noted that this pilot project “helps farmers prepare and plan farming.” The devices can transmit climate changes to soil, tell weather conditions in area, including if it has rained, communicate soil pH levels and gather air temperature and humidity. CWS collects this data, interprets it and then disseminates it back to the farmers.

25-year-old Michael Mwendwo, who is part of a CWS-supported youth entrepreneurship program, monitors and ensures the safety of each IoT device. The boxes provide information that is for a much smaller area, providing significantly more accurate data to the exact location of a farmer’s garden. Based on the data the farmers receive, they can adjust the crops they plant or make modifications to the soil, like changing the fertilizer.

Through just a bit of support, these farmers can overcome any new challenges to their harvests and ensure that their community is fed. 

You can learn more about CWS’ work in Kenya by clicking here

Stories of Change

Neema in front of her home garden

Empowerment for Peace and Stability

Trigger warning: This story mentions instances of sexual violence and harassment.

For most of her life, Neema has had to conquer dangers and challenges that threatened the safety of her and her family. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Neema’s stability was shattered by the violence of war when conflict broke out in her own family as relatives fought over the land she and her husband had inherited. These challenges reached a breaking point, and Neema and her husband fled to Tanzania. 

“We decided to come to Tanzania for security purposes,” Neema explained. She currently lives in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp with her husband and five children whose ages range from four to 15. They’ve lived in the camp for eight years and are being processed for resettlement. “We cannot return to Congo,” Neema stated, adding that their home will be in either Tanzania or another country if they’re granted refugee status. 

At the camp, Neema soon learned of the new challenges she would need to overcome, beginning with basic nutrition. “My life was very hard because I couldn’t obtain a variety of food,” she shared. Residents in Nyarugusu camp are not allowed to leave the camp while their cases are being processed, making it extremely difficult to address these challenges without the tools they need. 

Through CWS’ Sustainable Gardening program, we equip individuals like Neema and her family with these tools. When invited to join the program, Neema was given seeds, materials and training needed to start her home garden where she can grow her own food. “Before, I didn’t know how to eat a variety of vegetables. Now I eat vegetables like chia, kale and spinach. I didn’t have any knowledge of these vegetables, but now I’m an expert. I’m thankful for CWS. Now food is no longer an issue in my family.”

Beyond establishing food security, Neema has discovered another sense of safety through this program. She shared that before joining, she had to walk to other zones in the camp for food and other necessities. This often exposed her to sexual violence and harassment. “We are often humiliated,” she explained. Now through the program, Neema is able to grow everything she needs for her family in her own backyard and does not have to leave as often, minimizing her exposure to potential dangers around the camp. She added that “through this program any surplus I make from my vegetables I use to buy firewood and anything else that I would normally need outside my camp,” and she has even earned enough to buy herself a phone. 

Participants of the program are not only empowered with valuable tools needed to establish safety and wellbeing, but they are also given lessons on gender equality. In this program, both men and women learn about the massive benefits they can reap when women are empowered and couples work together while rebuilding their lives in the camp. One seed at a time, Neema is slowly rebuilding the peace and stability she deserves. 

CWS is grateful to our partners, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and Canadian Foodgrains Bank, for supporting this work. To learn more about CWS’ work supporting refugees all around the world, click here.

Stories of Change

Youth participants at the United Church of Christ Great Lakes and Western Regional Youth Event

Youth Make a Difference in Combating Period Poverty

In July, the United Church of Christ (UCC) Great Lakes and Western Regional Youth Event, held at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, showcased the power of youth activism and community service. In collaboration with Church World Service, over 200 youth from the West Regional Conference and the Great Lakes Conference came together for a special project aimed at combating period poverty and supporting local unhoused youth.

“We are so excited that the youth could gather this year to learn about sharing with others. Our theme is ‘Love is greater than fear’ and our hope is the youth will leave being inspired to make the world a better place,” said Samantha Barrett, one of the organizers of the UCC Regional Youth Gathering.

The highlight of the event was the assembly of 500 CWS Period Packs. This initiative was a part of a broader focus to end period poverty and ensure that menstrual hygiene products are accessible to those in need. These efforts were a testament to the commitment of UCC youth to making a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.

Rachel Kessel, CWS’ Community Engagement Specialist, was amazed by the energy of the youth and their dedication to social justice. “I was inspired by their dedication and giving spirits of the committed youth. They had so much fun with this project, and they really knew that they were making a difference with the local and global communities.”

In addition to the period packs, another group of dedicated youth assembled Unhoused Kits for The Project, a local agency dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the Quad City area. Many of these youth experience homelessness and a lack of mental health and other essential services. The UCC youth successfully donated 250 CWS Period Packs, 60 CWS Blankets and 250 Unhoused Kits to The Project, providing much-needed support for these vulnerable individuals.

The remaining 250 CWS Period Packs will be distributed by CWS to other agencies and in emergency situations, ensuring that the benefits of this initiative extend even further.

Jon Skogen, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager, understands the importance of teaching young people about caring for their community. “I was encouraged that the youth were willing to help with whatever was needed—including assembling of the Kits, moving of the boxes and loading of the cars. I was so impressed with how they were being serious and having fun at the same time. They love helping other people!”

This collaborative effort between CWS and the UCC youth not only addressed critical issues but also demonstrated the power of young people to effect positive change. Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration to all, highlighting the importance of community and service.

“This project was only possible because of our partnership with the United Church of Christ and other generous denominations and donors. These amazing partners make an impact around the world. CWS loves working with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and it is so important to our mission. I hope we inspired these youth to continue to support community service projects for many more years to come,” said David Costellow, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager.

CWS is grateful to the generous donors who make this important work possible. Your support is crucial in enabling us to partner with other groups for these impactful projects and to bring hope to those in need.

To learn more and get involved in the CWS Kits program, visit our website.

Finding Hope After Disaster Strikes


July 22, 2024

On July 7, 2024, Hurricane Beryl struck the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing heavy rains, high winds and widespread power outages that left over two million people in the dark. Flood warnings were posted along the coast, and high winds and water caused widespread damage and debris for millions. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, CWS …

Stories of Change

Aftermath of Houston following tornado (client's home is not shown in photos)

Finding Home in a Tornado

Anytime a child decides to leave their home and make the often treacherous journey to begin a safer life in the United States, they showcase bravery far beyond their age. What many of us don’t realize, however, is that their courage does not end there. We were reminded of this when we met Ana and Marta who recently braved something they never thought they would face: a tornado.

Six months ago, Ana, who is 16 years old, decided to leave her home in Guatemala to be reunited with her cousin and sponsor Marta in Texas. She dreamt of a place with greater opportunities where she could go to school and build a stable and happy life for herself. The journey to the U.S. was not easy as Ana had to cross Mexico by bus and by foot relying on herself alone to make it to the U.S. The challenges, however, were worth it. Ana arrived in Texas where she now lives with Marta, Marta’s husband and their baby. She is starting school this fall, which is an exciting next step in her new life.

This past May, Ana was at home while Marta went to pick up her husband from work; a routine that was usual for the family. This seemingly normal day soon took a turn when Marta received an alert on her phone telling her that there was a tornado nearby and to seek shelter immediately. This type of disaster was new to the family and they were unsure of what to do but did as they were advised and pulled over at a friend’s house. Marta then called Ana, who had begun to notice the loud winds and rain, and told her to hide in the bedroom until they returned.

When the storm passed, Marta and her husband hurried home to find an entirely different scene than the one she had left earlier. “Everything was flooded and we couldn’t get inside,” Marta recalled. “There were fallen cables everywhere and lots of trees had fallen.” As soon as they got inside, they found Ana, who, although scared by the whole experience, was safe.

The family’s house had thankfully suffered minimal damage but the dangers from the storm had only just begun. Like many others, the family completely lost power, which created new difficulties. “We had no air conditioning, and the temperatures didn’t drop at all after the rain so our house got very hot and we each started to get sick,” Marta explained. She added that her baby would sweat throughout the night and, on average, they were getting three hours of sleep which made them very concerned for their health and safety. To find some relief, the family resorted to sleeping in their car until they received some positive news from their CWS Case Manager, Andreina, who provides Post Release Services to children like Ana who came to the U.S. unaccompanied and recently reunited with a family member.

As soon as Andreina heard about the struggles the family was experiencing, she took action and reached out to her colleagues in the Housing Team and Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Team who, thanks to a generous grant provided by Airbnb.org, were able to get a hotel room for the family. The change from their hot home and car to the fresh and clean hotel was drastic. “We were so happy. My baby even started to play when we got there but we were so tired that as soon as the sun went down, we all went to sleep since we had gone many nights already without sleeping.”

The family stayed at the hotel for about four days and returned to their home as soon as the power returned. “Honestly, thank you so much,” Marta said. “There were so many people who died because of the heat and because they stayed in their cars, and while it took some time for us adults to get better, my baby is now better so it was a great help.”

In every experience they have faced, Marta and Ana have shown that they are strong and resilient. Together and with the support of their community, they can overcome anything that comes their way.

CWS is thankful for the generosity of Airbnb.org whose support has allowed hundreds of our newest neighbors to receive temporary housing as they establish their new and permanent homes. Click the following links to learn more about our work in housing, disaster response and unaccompanied children. You can also support CWS’s response to domestic emergencies like the one faced by Ana and Marta by donating to our Emergency Response Fund.

*Note: pseudonyms and stock images have been used to protect the identity of the individuals in this story

Stories of Change

Laura with the CWS asylum and border team and technical unit staff

A Border Visit Inspires a New Advocate

Last November, CWS volunteer and advocate, Laura Stoner, was spending some time in Colorado when she was invited by her church, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, to participate in a pilgrimage to the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso. When Laura said yes to the invitation, she didn’t know the profound experience and new connections that awaited her.

Originally from another border town, Laredo, Laura thought, “If the Coloradans see fit to go down to my border in Texas, maybe I should be there too.” The group attended various educational and advocacy sessions and volunteered at the Rio Grande Borderland Ministries shelter site, which is supported by CWS.

During one of these sessions Laura met Emily Miller, CWS’ Associate Director of Asylum and Border Services, and remembered that her church in Austin participated in CWS CROP Hunger Walks every year. This connection generated a lasting impact by empowering Laura to become a CWS advocate when she went back home to her church in Austin. “One of the unexpected benefits of the pilgrimage was that I was able to come back and give witness for Church World Service by sharing a little bit about what I learned from CWS, that I had met some of their staff and sat in on their advocacy sessions,” Laura said. “I considered it a big privilege to help bolster the support of the CROP Hunger Walk.”

Laura was so moved by the experience that she returned for a second time this past May. In addition to the panaderias in El Paso that welcomed Laura with sweet Mexican treats, she was deeply drawn to the work on the border because of the resemblance to her own community. “What I was hearing didn’t resonate with my experience growing up in a border town and what was hard was that once we actually met the shelter guests, these asylum seeking families, they didn’t look any different than the people that I grew up with. And yet this is who the media was demonizing, calling them invaders. And I’m just looking at them thinking, ‘Are we talking about the same people?’”

Laura remembers the people she met and encountered with vivid compassion. She shared that whenever a new family came into the shelter, they often walked in crying and the group couldn’t distinguish whether they cried tears of relief, grief or fear. One of the women who left a lasting impact on her was a Guatemala mother who came in with four young children, the oldest who appeared to be about eight years old. As Laura and Emily were speaking with her, they realized that she did not speak Spanish but spoke a less commonly spoken indigenous language. Laura remembers feeling even more shocked when she found out that the family was headed to Maryland and still had various airports and flights they needed to navigate. She remarked, “The courage it must have taken for her to make that journey and get that far with all those young boys…”

This was just one of the many harrowing stories Laura encountered and in each one, two common themes stood out. The first was grief. “You know, the loss of your country, your home, your people and your food. There’s a lot of grief, and they’re just in survival mode trying to get to their next breath, their next meal.” Just as intense as the grief she saw, however, Laura recognized the resilience of these individuals. “That’s part of what to me is so special about being there. Those people gave me strength. They’re a gift. Seeing what they have endured and seeing their strength and their faith, frankly, it’s just incredible,” she shared.

These visits allowed Laura to see what she reflects as “the body of Christ in action,” meaning the collaboration between every moving piece to support these newcomers. As part of all these pieces, CWS is thankful to be in it together, with motivated and passionate individuals like Laura, who amplify our work and show the deep humanity of our newest neighbors.

To learn more about CWS’ Asylum and Border Services program, click here.

Stories of Change

Top: Wajdi and his family's arrival in the U.S. Middle and Bottom: Wajdi and his family

A Celebration of Resilience and New Beginnings

This Father’s Day, as we celebrate the dedication and love of fathers worldwide, let’s also take a moment to recognize the courage and perseverance of refugee fathers who have overcome immense challenges to build a better life for their families. This is not just a story about fatherhood; it is also a testament to the strength and resilience of refugee families as they navigate new beginnings in unfamiliar lands. Here, we share the touching journey of one such father, whose experiences encapsulate the essence of both Father’s Day and World Refugee Day.

“I have three kids,” Wajdi, CWS’s Director of Financial Business Partners, told us, reflecting on his journey from Egypt to the United States. This week, his eldest, Mohamed, graduated from  high school. Mohamed’s transformation is a source of immense pride for his father. “He just did his senior speech last week. He’s playing guitar and has started playing soccer at school, something he never wanted to do in Egypt.” Mohamed has applied for many scholarships in the United States and received acceptance from St. Thomas and Minneapolis Public School.

Wajdi’s pride extends to his daughters as well. His 16-year-old, Alaa, has flourished in the school orchestra, playing the violin. “She started to play violin when she was in Cairo,” Wajdi recalls. Her recent concert, which featured Arabic songs, was a poignant reminder of the family’s cultural heritage. Alaa has also taken up soccer and ice skating, sports she might not have explored back home. “You moved to the right city in the United States that they love ice skating because this is a popular game here in Minnesota,” Wajdi tells Alaa, celebrating her adaptability and enthusiasm.

Maria, the youngest at 11, is described as a natural leader. “She’s a very social person,” Wajdi says, recounting how she led her classmates back in Cairo and continues to do so in their new home. Beyond his immediate family, Wajdi is working tirelessly to reunite with his parents, who are still in Egypt.

 “I am in the process of bringing them through a Welcome Corps program,” he explains. His dedication to family extends to his professional life, where he works with CWS, an organization committed to helping refugees. “I believe in helping refugees and that’s the way I see myself for the future,” he says. His role as Director of Financial Business Partners allows him to support new structures within CWS, ensuring that the organization can continue its vital work.

During our interview with Wajdi, he emphasized the importance of welcoming refugees. “The new immigrants and the new refugees coming to the United States, they need to feel they are welcomed in this state, in this country.” He urges Americans to be empathetic, highlighting that refugees are eager to contribute positively to their new communities.

For fellow refugees, his message is one of patience and perseverance. “They have to be patient. Everything will be fine. They went through more hard times, for example, they are coming to the United States. They have to love this country. This country is the future for themselves, for their kids, for their grandkids.”

Wajdi’s family journey has also been one of cultural exchange. From enjoying American hamburgers to discovering Mexican food, their story is a beautiful blend of old and new traditions. Wajdi humorously recalls a dinner where a friend likened their love for spicy Yemeni food to Mexican cuisine, calling them “Mohicans” instead of Mexicans.

On this Father’s Day and World Refugee Day, let’s honor the fathers who, like Wajdi, navigate the complexities of parenthood while adapting to new worlds. Their stories of love, sacrifice, and resilience remind us of the universal values that bind us all.

To read more stories in honor of World Refugee Day, click here.

Stories of Change

Safe Space Program Participant, Isaiah

The Radical Welcome of Safe Space

“You are safe here.” With these simple yet profound words, we stepped into the welcoming embrace of an LGBTQ+-affirming community house for refugees, supported by CWS’s Safe Space* program. This declaration, voiced by Isaiah*, a program participant and leader, encapsulates the essence of what Safe Space strives to create: a haven of belonging, comfort and acceptance.

For many, this feeling of security is found in our homes, places of worship or other “third space” spots like local gyms and coffee shops. These sanctuaries allow us to be ourselves, free from fear or judgment. Yet, for countless LGBTQ+ individuals across the globe, such safe spaces are a rare and precious luxury. Instead, members of this community must navigate a world that compels them to shrink their personalities so that one slip-up doesn’t cost them their safety or, in some cases, their lives.

In the community house we visited, Isaiah’s presence seemed to match or perhaps create the energy in which we sat. He wore bright orange pants, a white top and Converse sneakers that subtly but bravely revealed rainbow outlines. In one word, Isaiah was radiant. He spoke with confidence and you could see the way the other program participants admired and felt safe with him. As we each introduced ourselves, the participants let us know that in this home, they are all brothers and sisters; a sentiment that not only perpetuated kindness and welcome but courageously challenged what a family structure means.

As we sat in a circle in this space that was flooded with light and warmth, the participants shared pieces of their stories. Many revealed the harassment they face each day on the streets and the concern about whether they will even make it home that night. Some told stories of heartbreak when their families rejected them, disowned them and left them with nothing.

One individual shared that every night, he and his fellow program participants hold a church service in the privacy and safety of the community house. Despite the rejection some of them had faced from religious figures, they held onto their faith, choosing to believe in its goodness. He wondered if any churches existed that welcomed queer individuals and was excited when our local colleague shared that Safe Space partners with faith leaders to create LGBTQ+-affirming churches. Even more surprising to him was the news that CWS is a faith-based organization. His excitement was matched by our own realization of how unique and radical this program truly is. In a world where many queer individuals struggle to find acceptance in religious spaces, here was CWS, a faith-based organization saying, “we accept you, we care about you and we support you.”

Through each word, and each story that Isaiah and the participants voiced, there existed a deep intentionality. It became intensely noticeable what this space truly meant for each participant. What it meant to be called “brother” or “sister”; to be seen the way you see yourself and to laugh and speak without wondering if you have shown too much. In this space, individuals could peel off the armor that they were forced to carry, and in their greatest vulnerability, they could be seen and loved.

*CWS’ Safe Space program works to develop spaces for LGBTQ+ refugees and locals where they can find belonging and access additional care including shelter, psychosocial support, legal resources and healthcare. The program aims to develop public attitudes that are affirming and inclusive of LGBTQ+ communities by partnering with and educating faith leaders. You can click here to learn more about our work in CWS Africa. 

Note: For the safety and protection of the program participant in this story, faces have been hidden and a pseudonym has been used.

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This story was written by Mariana Gama, CWS Program Communications Specialist

 

Stories of Change

Patrick and his family

A Journey to Permanent Home and Education

“He’s never been to school,” Patrick’s family members shared about him. At eight years of age, Patrick has spent all of his life in a state of limbo with no access to formal education, let alone security or a sense of permanence. The son of Congolese parents and baby brother to three older siblings, he was born and raised in a refugee camp in Burundi. Though it is one of the poorest countries in the world, it was in Burundi that his parents found refuge as they fled violence and the fear of persecution in their native land. In total, Patrick’s family lived in that refugee camp for 18 years–nearly two decades of uncertainty, waiting and extremely limited resources.  

 On September 23, 2023, Patrick and his five family members arrived in Columbus, Ohio. Just one week later, they moved into their permanent housing, a recently renovated three-bedroom home in a safe neighborhood in south Columbus with monthly rent that is $300 under the market average. Patrick is now home for the first time in his life.  

 With the safety and security that permanent housing brings, Patrick and his family are now able to pursue self-sufficiency and successful integration into the community. He has learned to take the bus from his home to school, where he is learning English and making friends. His older sister has also learned to take the bus to her new high school. His adult brothers and father are beginning to navigate public transportation independently to their current work assignments, where they are taking English classes and job readiness courses. 

CWS partners with more than 30 local organizations, like CRIS Ohio, to expand our services assisting refugees and immigrants throughout the United States. Learn more about CWS’ U.S. resettlement work here.