Embracing The New Beginning Despite Odds


November 1, 2023

In the heart of Brooklyn, New York, 28-year-old Honchukov’s story unfolds—a tale of resilience and determination in the face of daunting challenges. His journey began amidst the grand parks of Kharkiv, Ukraine, where he thrived in the bustling tech scene. However, fate took an unexpected turn, leading him to seek refuge in the United States, which is where he connected …

Church World Service Northern California’s Memorable Halloween Celebration


October 31, 2023

Halloween is new to the recently arrived immigrants and can be an exciting experience. Church World Service staff and clients found their own unique ways to celebrate this holiday. Last week, the CWS North California office hosted a delightful afternoon of Halloween festivities, and the activity was all about fun and flexibility. Participants could drop by at any time, bring …

Stories of Change


Top: children playing at Anastasis, Middle: Michail and his sister, Bottom: Liliana Lungu who runs Anastasis educational center. (Top and Bottom photo courtesy of ACT Alliance).

Michail Creates his Own Path

Like many Ukrainian children, 16-year-old Michail was forced to grow up too soon when Russia invaded his home in Kherson, Ukraine. Michail, his younger sister and his mom fled to the neighboring country of Moldova, but Michail’s father was forced to remain in Russian-occupied Kherson.

In his new home, Michail stepped up and took the role of his mother’s “right hand man.” He helps with shopping, paying bills and taking care of his younger sister. Although Michail has the maturity and responsibilities of many adults, he is still just a teenager. He likes to draw, play sports, dance, listen to music and hangout with friends. All these activities, however, are near impossible to do in the 60-square-foot room of the Balti Weather Station that Michail and his family currently live in.

Due to these living conditions and Michail’s need for a better space, the *Anastasis Educational Center in Balti has become a second home for Michail. Here, he can engage in all the activities that he loves and continue his online schooling. The staff at the Center shared that Michail is often the first person to arrive and last to leave the center every day.

Michail’s mother has also received fundamental support through the Center. The Center’s psychologists have helped her overcome her depression, and she has successfully completed two professional courses. She now works as a masseuse and cosmetologist in Balti. Michail has also grown through the support of the Center and recently completed his final year of high school. He is now focused on continuing his education in Moldova, and his goal is to study psychology at a local University in Balti.

Through the Anastasis Educational Center, Michail and his family are receiving the support they need to rebuild their lives in Moldova. Along with the staff at the center, CWS is committed to ensuring that families like Michail’s know they are not alone and feel safe and hopeful in their new community.

*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.

You can continue to support families like Michail’s by donating here.


Stories of Change


Students at CWS event

Ngoc Steps on the Stage of Knowledge

Sometimes, not having the answers can lead you to an important learning experience. This is what 14-year-old Lo Thanh Ngoc learned recently when she attended a CWS educational event on reproductive health and child marriage prevention at her school in Vietnam.

Like many of her peers, Ngoc was shy and had never set foot on a stage. However, during a warm-up game, she and some of her friends accidentally broke the rules, leading them to an unexpected opportunity. According to the game’s protocol, rule-breakers were invited to join the lead teacher on stage. Ngoc and her friends were hesitant but summoned up the courage to participate in a game called “Mysterious Gift Box,” designed to challenge their knowledge.

The first question was, “What is child marriage and what are its consequences?” Ngoc shook her head and said, “I don’t know.” Her whole group of friends tried to help but no one had the right answer.

The question that followed was simple but offered Ngoc some clarity. “How old is your mother this year?” the teacher asked. After a moment of thought, Ngoc responded, “My mother is turning 30 this year.” As she calculated her mother’s age, Ngoc had an enlightening realization: her mother had given birth to her when she was just 16 years old. This realization brought tears to Ngoc’s eyes and those of her friends, but it also brought a gentle smile to Ngoc’s face. She whispered softly, “Now I understand; in my village, people still marry so early.”

After the game, Ngoc’s shyness turned into excitement as she shared, “I’ve never been on stage because I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer questions. Thank you to the teacher for helping me with the answers. I hope to have more games like this, so we can gain more knowledge for ourselves.”

The teacher who had been leading the event, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong, shared her own reflections: “I have realized one thing which is not to be greedy for knowledge and instead understand students’ abilities and ask appropriate questions that students can answer and will help them feel confident and bold.”

By seeking knowledge with humility and honest questions, the teachers and children of this school are working together to ensure young generations make the best decisions possible for a safe and happy life.

To learn more about CWS’ work in Vietnam, visit our website.


Stories of Change


Top: Don with Columbia CROP Walk Planning Team members and spouse Joyce, Middle: Don and Norma, Bottom: Don on the Katy trail, Bottom: Don and Dodge

Lifting Each Other Up, One Step at Time

Since he first learned about CWS CROP Hunger Walks about 15-20 years ago, Don Harter has always been up for a challenge. He recalls the first time he learned about the walks, thinking to himself, “Well, how hard can that be?” He rallied his church, Broadway Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri, and they attended their first-ever walk. This was the start of Don’s CWS journey, which would lead him to his biggest challenge yet: a 300-mile CROP Hunger Walk across the state of Missouri.

In his personal life, Don has always been active, thanks in part to his personal trainer and dog, Dodge. At his church, he began to explore ways to apply his active lifestyle and talents to support CWS’ work. He started by leading a marathon CROP Hunger Walk three years ago. Recently, during a Columbia CROP Hunger Walk Committee meeting, he came up with a new ambitious idea. “You know what would be a real challenge?” he asked his fellow committee members, “Walking across the state of Missouri.” And with that, his journey began.

Don was determined, but he knew that to accomplish his goal, he needed the support of his community. That’s when Don met Norma Klemme of the UCC Church in Union, Missouri. “She instantly understood what this was all about,” Don told us. Norma became a key supporter and teammate for Don by helping to coordinate his overnight stays at host churches. Most importantly, Norma’s belief in Don is a motivator that keeps Don going. Walking an average of 22 miles a day along the Katy Trai and Rock Island Spur can be exhausting, but when Don needs an extra boost, he can rely on the encouraging emails he receives regularly from Norma. “I wasn’t quitting with her behind me,” he said.

Don likens his friendship with Norma to the connection between CWS donors and program participants. He explains that just like Norma showed him unwavering support, CWS supporters do the same for program participants whom they may never meet. “That’s what we are trying to do, show people God’s love,” he stated.

On his journey, Don has also felt connected to CWS’ global work by reflecting on how his walk resembles the needs and challenges of our program participants. His 300-mile goal was inspired by the total amount of miles someone in Cambodia might have to walk in 40 days to get water. He also noticed that his greatest needs (food, water and shelter) were provided to him through the support of various churches involved in CROP Hunger Walks. “These are the same things CWS provides to people around the world,” he noted.

Behind the scenes, Don is also thankful for the support of the Columbia CROP Hunger Walk Committee, his church, Broadway Christian Church and his spouse of 41 years, Joyce. Despite the massive undertaking he is currently on, he said it has been relatively “easy” thanks to all this support. He added, “We all need support sometimes. Life can be a lot easier if people are loved, supported and nurtured. If they have safe water and adequate food…life can be easier if we are lifting each other up.” 

Step by step, Don is spreading this message, inspiring others and helping CWS to lift up communities all around the world.

You can help Don reach his fundraising goals and follow along on his journey by checking out his CROP Hunger Walk page here. You can also contact him if you have any questions at HarterD@missouri.edu. 


Stories of Change


Dayana at the CWS Jersey City office

Helping Migrants Through Human Connection

Dayana Cobo is a passionate staff member of the CWS New York team. Her passion and drive have led her to become a caseworker with Church World Service, supporting unaccompanied minors. What initially drew Dayana to CWS was our broad mission. As she explains, “I really love CWS’ mission and the fact that they were focused on helping immigrants and refugees.” She was inspired to see CWS serve diverse groups displaced by global crises, including those from Ukraine, Haiti, Central America and Uzbekistan.

In her role as a caseworker, Dayana works to forge human connections with clients before diving into services. Each initial video visit begins with a personal touch, as Dayana takes the time to get to know her clients on a personal level. She engages in conversations about their journey, their concerns and their excitement about the new chapter they are embarking on. Dayana emphasizes, “Our role extends beyond merely providing assistance; it’s about creating a safe space and ensuring our clients’ mental well-being is as important as their physical needs.” This deliberate approach to building rapport lays the foundation for trust.

An early case that stood out came just months into the job when Dayana supported a migrant family from rural South Carolina who spoke Uzbek. This rare language presented immense communication barriers. Through persistence and creativity, leveraging Russian interpretation services and Google Translate, Dayana secured an Uzbek-speaking lawyer, adult education classes in Russian and health insurance. As she recalls, “Not only did I utilize Google Translate and other interpreter services and hotlines we have, but I also had the added challenge of overcoming language barriers while searching for resources in a rural area. Despite this additional difficulty, I successfully managed to find everything they needed.” Overcoming linguistic and geographic obstacles highlighted the magic in this work for her.

Dayana has learned a gentle approach is essential for earning clients’ trust. When sponsors are initially resistant, she proposes just checking in weekly. As she explains, “eventually they actually end up opening up” through this dance of providing support while respecting hesitancy. The biggest lesson for Dayana has been recognizing, “if they don’t want it, they will also show you.”

Having gotten her start in psychology, Dayana sees the interplay between mental and physical health. She educates clients that just as they prioritize yearly checkups, they should do the same for their mental well-being. However, most are resistant to opening up about these needs while focused on immediate survival. As Dayana notes, “That’s a very touchy and sensitive topic, especially with our clients.” Pushing too hard could mean losing them altogether. Dayana thus focuses on listening, validating and gently connecting them with resources.

Though Dayana admits this work can be emotionally taxing, you would never know it from her constantly uplifted spirit. Her clients’ appreciation validates she is living her calling. She remains committed to compassionately walking with each family on their path forward.

Dayana is guided by a Hilary Duff quote, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” As a first-generation college graduate pursuing her purpose, this motto resonates deeply with her. She has learned progress requires perseverance. By boldly trying new directions, Dayana found her passion—helping migrants through human connection. She continues listening, uplifting and lighting the way for those needing support.

You can learn more about the work done by the HSPRS team by clicking here


From Abandonment to Abundance: Juliana’s Story


October 9, 2023

Scroll through the gallery above to see images of Juliana, her family and her CWS case manager (second to last photo)  When you first meet Juliana, the first thing you will notice about her is her bright and friendly smile. Behind this smile, however, lies a story of abandonment and tragedy that began before Juliana was even born in Guatemala. …

Stories of Change


Top: Noel graduating as an industrial electrician, Middle: Noel with fellow football referees, Bottom: Noel performs house hold electrical installations

Noel Advocates for His Community

Story by Neyver Espindola, CERDET

“Being a young indigenous leader is not easy because we often lack space in meetings, institutions and decision-making places. However, there are also productive development and training projects where the participation of young people is crucial.”

This is the reflection of Noel Melgar, a 22-year-old Guarani youth, who has forged his path amidst the vast lands of the San Francisco Del Inti community, located within the Assembly of the Guaraní People Yaku-Igüa in the Gran Chaco region of South America.

With the support of his mother, he pursued his desire to study and become an industrial electrician. In his free time, Noel dedicates himself to performing household electrical installations and to one of his hobbies, refereeing football matches, which provides him with an additional income.

In addition to his technical skills, his active participation in the Raíces Chaqueñas Integral Training Program has transformed him into a leader. This initiative seeks to strengthen youth leadership through capacity development. Thanks to the program, he has acquired tons of new knowledge.

After the program, Noel was selected to represent his community at a national event where he shared his experience with other indigenous youth from various towns and departments. “I shared the reality in which Guarani communities live and how they adapt to climate change,” he said.

Another activity he promoted, thanks to the workshops by CERDET*, was the creation of home gardens to enable people to produce their own food. Something Noel emphasized is that during the workshops, he noticed the discrimination faced by women in his community, who still suffer physical and psychological abuse. “Raíces Chaqueñas focuses on these issues and highlights the importance of women today,” he stated.

What Noel learns, he applies to his daily life. He told us, “With my friends both in and out of university, we promote respect, socialization, participation and free expression for all young people, regardless of their race, skin color, language or origin.”

Noel expressed his gratitude to Raíces Chaqueñas for changing his perspective, and he plans to use what he has learned to continue advocating for young people. “Seize every opportunity to express yourselves and enrich your knowledge. Education is the best tool in these times of constant change.”

The Raíces Chaqueñas Program is implemented in Argentina and Bolivia by the Transborder Integrated Program, formed by the United Board of Missions Federation (JUM), the Foundation for Development in Justice and Peace (FUNDAPAZ), the Center for Regional Studies for Development in Tarija (CERDET)*, and the Indigenous Pastoral Team of Jujuy, with support from CWS.


Stories of Change


Ekaterina

Ekaterina Learns a New Skill

Healthy City is CWS’ local partner in Moldova that works to meet the basic needs of Ukrainian refugees while helping them establish a new life in Moldova. Through Healthy City, Ukrainian refugees were given the opportunity to attend vocational classes at the local academy, Tekwill. The following story is a testimony from one of these participants. 

My name is Ekaterina, I am 46 years old. I have a degree in economic management in the industrial sector. I have a husband and a young son with a disability.

I am from Odessa. I love Odessa with all the fibers of my soul and never wanted to move out of it. However, when the war began, we realized that our house, which is on a high floor, is very poorly located. There are many military and dual-use facilities around, and this increases the risks during shelling.

Since my husband and I were responsible for two people with disabilities (my son and mother), in May 2022 we decided to leave for Moldova for a better environment and peaceful life, where they don’t shoot.

In 2022 my company, where I worked in the marketing and advertising department, had to cut costs in order to pay at least those employees who remained in Ukraine. Because of this, I ended up on leave without pay.

I joined the course offered by Tekwill Academy in Moldova in May 2023 after seeing an announcement for Ukrainian refugees from Healthy City (Zdorovii Gorod)*. My goal was to improve my knowledge in graphic design. During the war, I plan to expand my competencies and gain new experience as a freelancer in a foreign market, where there is a consistently high demand for work with graphics and video.

The nice thing is that after only 5 weeks of training, I was able to receive an order for rendering infographics and materials on Pinterest for an English-language site.

Of course, 2.5 months of courses is just the beginning. Rookie Syndrome is inevitable.

When fulfilling orders, I lack automatism and speed. I have to finish learning something on the fly. However, the quality of teaching at Tekwill inspires optimism and self-confidence.

Our teacher had rich experiences. He was responsive to questions, prompted practical ideas and sorted out mistakes. All of this was great motivation.

In the future, a systematic and deep knowledge of graphic programs will improve my ability to earn money remotely. This is especially true for life in Moldova, where there are objective difficulties with working in my specialty. Thanks to all the organizers and sponsors for this training! With pleasure and with great gratitude I will take part in any new course in the field
graphic design.

CWS is grateful for our partner, UMCOR, whose support allows Ukrainian refugees like Ekaterina to access new opportunities. To learn more and support CWS’ work with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, click here.


Exploration For Refugee Youth


September 6, 2023

In August, Church World Service Harrisonburg’s summer intern Abraham Mekonnen organized an incredible outing for refugee teenagers. This event united CWS Harrisonburg staff with recently arrived high school students, providing them with a one-of-a-kind chance to dive into American culture and history while enjoying themselves. They began their journey at Planet Word, a museum that made language come alive with …