Washington, D.C.—In response to a recent heinous proposal in the House of Representatives by Republican lawmakers, Christine Lemonda, Senior Director Children’s Services, issued the following statement “The proposal to levy massive fees on potential sponsors of unaccompanied children is nothing less than a policy of family separation. These kids are fleeing violence, persecution, and desperation and should be swiftly released …
Stories of Change
Top: Seluwa with her family Middle and Bottom: Seluwa with her chickens and crops
From Gardener to Entrepreneur: Seluwa Said’s Journey to Success
After fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Seluwa Said and her family faced extreme hardship in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu Refugee Camp—until joining the CWS Sustainable Vegetable Farming Project, which empowered her to grow nutritious food, start a business and build a more secure future.
From Struggle to Survival in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Seluwa Said was forced to flee her home due to ongoing conflict. In 2018, Seluwa arrived at the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania, in search for a safer future for herself and her family.
Along with her husband and three children, Seluwa faced significant hardships, including severe food shortages that forced them to survive on just one meal a day. She told us, “When we arrived at Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, we faced many challenges. First, we only had one meal a day, and even that was often delayed. We didn’t have any money to buy soap, clothes or school supplies for our children. Despite receiving support from various organizations, the situation remained difficult due to insufficient food and the lack of income-generating activities.”
In 2022, a transformative opportunity emerged when Seluwa joined the Sustainable Vegetable Farming (SVF) Project, implemented by Church World Service and funded by the Canadian Food Grain Bank and the Anglican Church of Canada’s PWRDF. This project has supported a total of 810 households in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, significantly improving food security, nutrition and income for many families.
Empowered Through Sustainable Farming
Seluwa received comprehensive training in organic vegetable farming and was provided with essential agricultural inputs, including vegetable seeds, a hand hoe, a watering can, a rake, a hand sprayer pump, seven buckets of cattle manure and other necessary materials for establishing a kitchen garden.
With newfound knowledge and resources, Seluwa devoted herself to her kitchen garden, planting a variety of vegetables such as kale, amaranthus, Chinese cabbage, African nightshade and spinach. Her hard work paid off with a bountiful harvest, providing her family and neighbors with nutritious food and opening up opportunities for income generation.
From Kitchen Garden to Thriving Entrepreneur
Seeing the success of her vegetable garden, Seluwa decided to expand her venture by selling surplus vegetables within the camp. Her high-quality produce quickly earned her a reputation, and the income from these sales allowed her to start a small business selling essential household items. As her entrepreneurial spirit grew, her business began to thrive.
With the profits from her vegetable sales and small business, Seluwa made an investment in her family’s future by purchasing two chickens. This modest investment soon expanded to seven chickens, providing a steady supply of eggs and an additional source of income.
Throughout her journey, Seluwa received unwavering support from her husband, who has been a pillar of strength and encouragement. Together, they have worked tirelessly to secure a better future for their children.
Seluwa expressed her gratitude, saying, “My heartfelt gratitude to CWS for their incredible support through the Sustainable Vegetable Farming project. Your generous assistance has transformed my life and my family’s in ways I could never have imagined. Today, I am proud to call myself an entrepreneur. I have even expanded my efforts by raising chickens, which has further improved our financial stability. Thank you for believing in me; your work has made a profound impact on our lives, and we are deeply grateful for your kindness and dedication.”
We would like to thank our partners, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund for allowing this assistance to be possible. You can learn about our programs in Tanzania here.
Fighting for Family: How One Attorney in Colorado is Reuniting Afghan Allies with Their Loved Ones
May 1, 2025
After fleeing Afghanistan, Afghan allies Abed and Hafez found hope with the support of CWS Fort Collins and Immigration Staff Attorney Rona Schank, whose own immigrant journey fuels her fight for justice and welcome. Their stories highlight the power of persistence, community and the transformative impact of compassionate legal advocacy. In the wake of Kabul’s fall, Colorado became a new …
CWS to Close 11 Local Program Offices Serving Refugees and Immigrants
New York City– CWS today announced that the organization will be closing 11 program offices across the United States following sweeping actions taken by the Trump Administration terminating or suspending federally funded programs supporting refugees and immigrants. The office locations in the process of closing include: Georgetown, DE; Jacksonville, FL; Orlando, FL; Grand Rapids, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Burlington, NC; Charlotte, …
Take Action: Urge Your Members of Congress to Defend Refugee Resettlement and Protect Federal Funding for Refugee Programs
April 30, 2025
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is under unprecedented threat, as is the humanitarian infrastructure serving forcibly displaced people worldwide and here in the U.S. The indefinite refugee ban remains in place, blocking funding for resettlement agencies and stranding thousands of refugees without basic support. Resettlement offices around the country are struggling to stay open and serve vulnerable individuals who …
Stories of Change
Top and Middle: The Khan Family Bottom: Volunteers set up furniture in the Khan family's home
Reunited After a Decade: The Khan Family’s Journey to Hope and Home
After more than ten years of separation, Mr. Khan finally reunited with his wife and daughters in Texas—thanks to his unshakable determination, the support of Church World Service and a community ready to welcome. Their story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of refugee families and the transformative impact of welcome.
A Journey Marked by Separation and Strength
Imagine being forced to flee your home, leaving behind your career, your belongings and, most of all, your loved ones. That was the heartbreaking reality for Mr. Khan*, who was separated from his wife and daughters, holding onto nothing but the hope that they would one day be reunited.
After fleeing Pakistan in 2014, Mr. Khan traveled to several other countries before finally being approved for travel to the United States, where he was welcomed with support from Church World Service. Though he had reached a place of safety, his heart remained with his family and, with the help of the CWS team, he worked tirelessly to find them a pathway towards safety and reunification.
At long last, on April 2, 2025—more than a decade after they were first separated—Mr. Khan welcomed his wife and children to his new community in Texas.
The journey was filled with uncertainty along the way, not the least of which included the Trump administration’s January 20th Executive Order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program indefinitely, shattering the hope of families like the Khans who dreamed of reaching safety in countries like the United States.
A Community Comes Together
When the long-awaited day finally came, the Khans were not alone. Their new community was there to welcome them home, setting up their apartment, assembling furniture and raising funds to cover the cost of their flights to the United States. Local volunteers rallied around them, providing the warm welcome that every family deserves.
“Immediately after getting the news that the family had been issued Visas, we reached out to our support community of volunteers, donors and partner organizations, and everyone said ‘Yes!’,” shared Rebecca Harrison, Resettlement Director of CWS Houston. “Within just a few days we had an apartment, furniture, home supplies and airfare lined up. I think the news of all the flights and visas that had been canceled after January 20 had been so devastating for everyone in our welcoming network, being able to do something to help bring this family to safety brought them a glimmer of hope.”
“We are grateful for all that you have done for us,” Mr. Khan shared. Even just days after finally reuniting his family, he feels a sense of responsibility in building welcoming communities for other newcomers. “We must help others who are facing problems. The United States is a country of immigrants. The entire potential of the world is here.”
Now, with their future ahead of them, the Khan family already have big plans. The daughters are already eager to attend university—an opportunity they were unable to access in Pakistan, hoping to build flourishing careers in pharmacy, IT and cybersecurity.
“We are hopeful that they will be able to go to school soon because in our country they were living in hiding. They wanted to attend university, but there were restrictions,” Mr. Khan shared. “We are happy because we can make their dreams come true here.”
Despite the new opportunities before them, the weight of their journey still lingers. The path the Khans took to reach safety—sadly, only available to less than one percent of those in need—was long and filled with hardship. “It is a really big trauma for children to have to leave their home country,” shared Azra, the family’s oldest daughter. “I had to endure things. I still need time to heal, and we will, but I am really grateful to CWS, and I hope we can be a help to other people.”
The Khan family’s journey is a testament to hope, resilience and the promise of a brighter future—not only for themselves, but for the community they now call home. Their story, rooted in courage and strengthened by the compassion of their neighbors, is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength and impact of the United States’ legacy of welcome.
*Pseudonyms have been used to protect the identity of the family.
To learn more about the work of CWS Houston, click here.
Seeking Respect and Dignity: A Sudanese Family Finds Refuge from Ethnic Cleansing Through CWS Harrisburg
Sherri Kimmel | April 24, 2025
Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of war, loss, trauma and death that may be distressing for some readers. Brothers Faheem, Samir and Mohamed* were children when in 2004 they fled genocide in Darfur, Sudan, making the arduous trek across the Kaja Valley border to Chad on foot and by donkey. Their pursuers, the Janjaweed (which means “devils on horseback” …
Factsheet: Violence In Gaza and The West Bank as Humanitarian Aid Remains Blocked
April 21, 2025
For decades, Palestinians have lived under occupation, facing violence, human rights abuses, systematic violations of international humanitarian law, and denial of their right to self-determination. After over a year of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in the aftermath of the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack against Israelis, Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to one of the …
CWS Celebrates Easter, Reflects on the Hope of the Resurrection
April 18, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Ahead of Easter Sunday in celebration of the spirit of Easter, Rick Santos, President and CEO of Church World Service issued the following statement: This Easter we celebrate and remember the life of Jesus Christ and the hope of his resurrection. We are inspired to live in the promise of a renewed world and to join together with other …
Stories of Change
Top: Felistus Nguyo and her chickens Middle: Participant in a CROP Hunger Walk-supported community gardening program in Indiana Bottom: Oscar stands near his crops
Harvest of Hope: Growing a Better World Together
“For God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” – Psalm 107:9
Across the United States and around the world, seeds are being planted—seeds of nourishment, resilience and dignity. And at the heart of this harvest are the generous donors who support CWS Tools. Because of you, families have access to more than seeds and shovels—they have opportunities to grow lasting hope.
Thanks to your support, Oscar, a farmer in Honduras, received the tools he needed to diversify his crops. He now grows not only corn, but bananas, chili peppers, cassava, papaya and pineapple—feeding his family and selling his surplus at the market. That’s the power of a simple tool in the hands of someone ready to thrive.
And then there’s Mama Nguyo’s Harvest of Hope. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Mama Nguyo received something simple, but powerful: three chickens. That may not sound like much, but for Mama Nguyo, it was the start of something big.
She cared for those chickens and gathered their eggs. Before long, she had 20 chickens and was able to buy a rooster. With more eggs than her family could eat, she began selling them at the local market. Soon, she earned enough money to buy new chairs for her home and support her family’s daily needs.
This is what hope looks like.
Because of faithful donors and congregations supporting CWS Tools, families like Mama Nguyo’s are planting seeds of change—growing their own food, starting small businesses and building more secure lives. Your impact goes beyond the garden.
Empowering Farmers: Through CWS agricultural programs, 13,181 individuals received training, seeds, livestock, and tools—helping them grow more food and secure stable incomes.
Improving Nutrition: Through CWS nutrition programs, 18,652 individuals participated in training, feeding demonstrations, and mother-to-mother support groups—ensuring healthier futures for families.
Equipping Communities: Across CWS programs, 89,475 people now have the tools they need to grow food, provide for their families, and build sustainable futures.
These numbers represent real people, real hope and real transformation—made possible by you. Every shovel, every chicken, every tool becomes part of a Harvest of Hope.
You are part of the story.
Because of your compassion, families are growing food, earning income, improving health and building new futures rooted in dignity and strength. Your generosity isn’t just changing lives—it’s helping create a better world.
Thank you for planting seeds of compassion. Thank you for helping hope take root.
Learn how you can get involved with CWS Tools and donate now to help cultivate a Harvest of Hope.