Stories of Change

Top: Pak Sampara in a CLEAR workshop Bottom: Pak Sampara actively involved in workshop discussion

Rising Above the Floods: Pak Sampara’s Journey of Resilience and Community Support

Pak Sampara, a flood-affected resident of Makassar City, found resilience and purpose through the CLEAR project, a CWS initiative that empowers communities to mitigate flood risks. Embracing hydroponic farming and disaster preparedness training, he now supports his neighbors, proving that perseverance and community spirit can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Facing the Rising Waters: A Community in Crisis

Nearly every year, floods hit Makassar City in Indonesia, disrupting the lives and livelihoods of those who call it home. 

For 56-year-old Pak Sampara, each flood brings a new wave of uncertainty. The rising water damages crops, making them impossible to sell, and in 2020, the situation became even more devastating when he lost his cleaning job in a local hotel due to COVID-19 layoffs.  

In 2023, he learned about the CLEAR project, implemented by CWS in partnership with INANTA and Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS), to help communities in flood-prone Makassar, South Sulawesi, create a community-led early warning system and preparedness plan to reduce flood risks and protect vulnerable families.

Building Resilience Through Community Action

Determined to support his community despite the hardships, Pak Sampara embraced the opportunity to make a difference. As a neighborhood leader, he turned to hydroponic farming, growing chilies and tomatoes in his home garden and sharing his harvest with neighbors in need. 

“CWS, YCWS and INANTA, through the CLEAR Project, have helped us develop our abilities to help others in devastating situations. Now I hope I can help more people, especially within my communities,” Pak Sampara shared. 

In the face of disasters, preparation is key—not only in protecting ourselves but for strengthening entire communities. Through the CLEAR project and disaster risk reduction training, Pak Sampara has gained the tools to stay resilient in the face of future floods. His story is a powerful reminder that perseverance and community spirit can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities for growth and support. 

 You can learn more about our work in Indonesia here. 

Fathiya’s Transformation: From Observer to Animator


February 19, 2025

Fathiya, a Palestinian refugee in Indonesia, discovered a life-changing passion for animation after joining her brother in a workshop led by a local CWS partner. Despite initial struggles with the technical and language barriers, her perseverance paid off, enabling her to contribute to real projects and opening new doors for her future. When Fathiya joined her brother in an animation …

Stories of Change

Top: Glow and Grown project; Middle: Colorful Minds project; Bottom: RISE project

Nurturing Safe and Inclusive Schools: The Impact of CWS Child Protection Programs

For years, CWS Thailand has been at the forefront of child protection, implementing programs designed to foster inclusive, safe and supportive learning environments. Through initiatives at three schools—Wat Sao Thonghin School, Radburana School and Chumchonmoobanpattana School—CWS has empowered students with essential life skills, emotional resilience and social awareness. Each program is uniquely tailored to address the needs of children from diverse backgrounds, supporting their overall well-being and long-term development.

Colorful Minds: Encouraging Self-Esteem and Empathy

The 10-week Colorful Minds program at Wat Sao Thonghin School empowered 174 primary students by boosting self-esteem, reducing bullying and fostering an inclusive environment. Through engaging activities like icebreakers, emotional regulation exercises, teamwork challenges and cultural appreciation lessons, students developed stronger social and emotional skills. 

Creative outlets such as drawing and role-playing helped them express emotions, build empathy, and collaborate more effectively. While younger students initially found some concepts like diversity challenging, program adjustments ensured their engagement and learning. Many participants expressed a keen interest in continuing, with feedback highlighting improved emotional awareness and stronger peer relationships.

Glow and Grown: Fostering Inclusivity and Cultural Understanding

In partnership with the Bangkok Refugee Center, 60 primary school students took part in a four-day Glow and Grown project focused on fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Through team-based games, group discussions and interactive exercises, students developed empathy, cultural awareness and positive social skills. Their active participation led to meaningful connections and improved interpersonal interactions. By the end of the program, bullying incidents had decreased and many students expressed enthusiasm for future sessions.

RISE: Supporting At-Risk Youth for a Brighter Future

Currently underway at Chumchonmoobanpattana School, the RISE initiative supports approximately 240 junior school students facing socio-economic challenges, including poverty and disengagement from education, which often contribute to long-term challenges, making early intervention essential to their well-being and future success.

Through a structured curriculum focused on emotional regulation, self-awareness and social responsibility, RISE provides a safe and supportive environment where students can build resilience and leadership skills. While working with vulnerable youth presents challenges, fostering a positive school culture creates a ripple effect that benefits not just the students, but also their families and communities.

A Commitment to Child Protection and Youth Development

CWS remains dedicated to enhancing child protection and youth development through targeted educational programs. By equipping students with essential life skills, fostering resilience and creating inclusive learning environments, these initiatives lay the foundation for brighter futures. Looking ahead, CWS aims to expand these programs to reach more at-risk youth, further strengthening community support systems and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Learn more about CWS Thailand here.

“We Lost the Hope That They Are Coming”: A Family Separated By Executive Orders


February 13, 2025

Wajdi Al-Mowafak, CWS’ Director of Finance Business Partners, was on the verge of reuniting with his parents in the United States when President Trump’s executive order indefinitely suspending refugee admissions upended their plans. Now, like thousands of others, his family is trapped in limbo, facing uncertainty as their dreams of safety and stability vanish overnight. On January 20, 2025, President …

How Refugees Are Strengthening U.S. Communities


February 10, 2025

Refugees significantly give back to the communities that welcome them—starting businesses, paying taxes and contributing to the local economy. In fact, a Department of Health and Human Services Refugees study found that, over a fifteen-year period, refugees brought in $124 billion more in state and local revenue than they cost. Aside from the economic benefits to welcoming, newcomers also bring …

A Better Future: The Temoori Family’s Story


February 7, 2025

The Temoori family arrived in the United States from Afghanistan, determined to build a better future. With support from CWS, they quickly secured housing, employment and resources, showcasing resilience and hope as they work toward self-sufficiency. On November 13, 2024, the Temoori family arrived in the United States from Afghanistan as Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, beginning a new journey …

“This Is a Betrayal”: An Afghan Resettlement Worker Speaks Out


February 6, 2025

Taq, a resettlement caseworker in Ohio, has witnessed the devastating impact of recent Executive Orders that have halted refugee arrivals, leaving families like his own in limbo. With loved ones stranded in unsafe conditions and immigrant communities facing growing fear in the United States, Taq shares his hope for policies that honor America’s commitment to those who risked everything to …

Stories of Change

Top: Subdistrict launch event with government and partners in Malaka Middle: Benanine River overflow Bottom: Overflow point along the riverbank

New CWS Program Builds Flood Resilience Through Community Engagement

CWS Japan, alongside local partners, has launched the I-CREATE program in Indonesia’s Malaka District to help communities along the Benanain River strengthen their resilience against recurring floods. By improving early warning systems, enhancing flood mitigation infrastructure and fostering inclusive, community-led solutions, the program aims to ensure long-term sustainability and disaster preparedness.

For communities along the Benanain River in Indonesia, annual flooding is a persistent challenge, threatening access to clean water and disrupting agricultural livelihoods. To help local residents adapt and build long-term resilience, CWS Japan, in collaboration with YCWS and Perkumpulan Masyarakat Penanganan Bencana (PMPB-NTT), has launched the Improving Community Resilience through Enhanced Adaptation and Technical Assistance (I-CREATE) program in Malaka District, East Nusa Tenggara.

A Multi-Level Approach to Community Resilience  

At recent community launch events, discussions with local leaders and residents revealed several pressing challenges, including recurring flooding that contaminates water sources, gaps in early warning systems for community members and localized vulnerabilities with high-risk areas along the river.

Many communities depend on the Benanain River for daily needs, but frequent floods contaminate water sources and threaten food security. However, the region’s fertile soil presents an opportunity—when properly managed, it supports thriving agriculture. Despite this, the lack of river water level monitoring means residents often respond only when floodwaters are already rising. Enhancing early warning mechanisms is critical, and certain high-risk areas along the riverbank require targeted interventions to prevent overflow, necessitating both technical solutions and community-driven initiatives.

Community-Led Adaptation and Inclusive Solutions

Despite these challenges, local communities have shown resilience by adjusting their planting seasons to align with changing weather patterns, and the region’s river basin forum, though currently inactive, presents an opportunity to foster collaboration between upstream and downstream villages.

A key priority of I-CREATE is inclusivity—ensuring that disaster preparedness and response strategies consider the needs of all community members, including people with disabilities. By involving diverse voices in planning and training, the program seeks to create sustainable, community-driven solutions that support all community members.

Over the next several years, the program will continue to assess potential risks from dam management, support community participation in improving flood mitigation infrastructure, engage early warning systems and information dissemination, digitally map hazards, risks and evacuation routes and provide technical recommendations for river basin management. 

By integrating technical expertise, community knowledge and government collaboration, I-CREATE aims to build long-lasting resilience against flooding, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for Malaka District.

To learn more about CWS’ work in Asia, click here.

Mustafa and Randa’s Path to Love and a New Life


February 5, 2025

The story of Mustafa Albayati and his wife Randa is one of resilience, love and the transformative power of community. From their chance meeting in Iraq to building a life together in the United States, their journey has been marked by challenges, triumphs and unwavering hope. Here’s their inspiring story, told in Mustafa and Randa’s words.   “I first met …

“Travel Cancelled”: A Poem Reflection of Recent Executive Orders


February 4, 2025

As of January 22, 2025, the Trump administration has suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) until further notice, leaving thousands of refugees—including minors separated from their parents—without a pathway to safety. Originally from Syria, Alissa* has a deep connection to the resettlement experience. “CWS was the only organization that supported me on day one of arrival,” she said. “I …