Stories of Change

Pedro stands in front of CWS office in Miami

From Surviving to Living: Pedro Creates a New Life

In Guatemala, many indigenous people live in rural areas and experience various difficulties including lack of education and poverty. Since he was a child, Pedro experienced these difficulties firsthand. When he was just 12 years old, Pedro’s parents, who were unwell, abandoned him. “They left me at our home alone, so I started to work. Sometimes I found work and sometimes I didn’t. Some days I had one meal. Other days I had none. Sometimes there was work, but other times there wasn’t because there wasn’t much there.”

Life in Guatemala became about survival for Pedro. “I was just 16, just a kid. I wanted a better future and was really struggling to support myself.” Eventually, he decided he needed to leave, so he called his sister and asked her to bring him to live with her in Miami. Pedro crossed into Mexico and eventually into the United States, where he was held at the ORR Custody Center for about two months. Pedro had no complaints about his stay at the center since he was eager and focused on arriving in Miami. 

When he was released, Pedro fearlessly boarded his first-ever plane and headed to Miami to reunite his sister and start a new life. When he arrived, things changed entirely for Pedro. In Guatemala, Pedro was all alone and only finished fourth grade. Here, he gets to go to school, make new friends and spend time with his sister. “I am happy here because I am with my sister. I feel happy with her, I get to go to school. I feel happy being here,” Pedro shared. 

In addition to his sister and friends at school, Pedro has a case manager from CWS who is helping him establish a life in Miami and set goals. Pedro, whose native language is Ixil, also feels supported and comforted by the CWS staff. “When I arrived here, I didn’t know a lot of Spanish. I understood it but I struggled to speak it. People here [at CWS] helped me with that,” he said. He also shared that CWS has provided him with food and clothing donations and medical support.

In his new home, Pedro is excited about the many new opportunities ahead of him. He told us, “I want to move forward and keep studying so that I can have a career and move forward in life.” Pedro, who has a gentle and cheerful manner, shared that he hopes to become a nurse one day. For Pedro, life in Miami means that instead of focusing on surviving, he can start living life as a happy young man with dreams and aspirations. CWS is grateful to be part of Pedro’s journey and aims to provide him support and reassurance that he is not alone.

Stories of Change

Children at the Belgrade botanical garden.

Preschool for Jelena

Jelena* was scared to start preschool. She’s a 6-year-old who lives in Belgrade, Serbia, with her family. 

Jelena’s family are from Belgrade’s Roma community. They live in an informal settlement with other Roma families. Enrolling in school and pursuing an education aren’t givens for Roma children, since they are among the most marginalized children in the country. In order to get into elementary school, though, all children must finish preschool (which in Serbia lasts for one year and is before first grade, like kindergarten in the United States).

If Jelena is going to get an education, she had to start with preschool. She refused to go, though, saying she would rather stay home. Her mom and grandmother dropped her off, but she would run home crying. Getting increasingly desperate, Jelena’s mom reached out to CWS’s partner and our Protection through Education program. This program focuses on helping Roma children enroll in school and giving them the support they need to stay in school and not resort to living or working on the streets.  

The program team agreed to help. As a first step, we invited Jelena to join other children on a field trip to Belgrade’s botanical gardens. That way she could meet some of the children who would be her classmates outside of the classroom, in a more relaxed environment. She loved the idea, joined the trip and had a great time. 

Step by step, the program team kept working with Jelena. They visited her family and got to know her. A breakthrough moment came when Jelena told the staff that she wanted to be a hair stylist when she grew up. One team member told Jelena that she had also wanted to be a hair stylist when she was Jelena’s age. She explained that going to school is an important first step in chasing her dreams. She talked about the importance of education and all of the ways that it could help Jelena. Jelena listened closely and then agreed. She would no longer fight the idea of going to preschool.

We’re excited to say that Jelena is thriving in preschool. She started later than the other children, but she’s there every day learning. She is taking the steps she needs to towards her education–with her family and the Protection through Education team there to have her back. We’re excited to see her chase her dreams, one step at a time.

*Name changed to protect identity

Stories of Change

Top: Mohammad studies during a computer class. (Photo blurred to protect identities.) Bottom: Mohammed and his classmates play soccer at PKBM Insan Mandiri.

An Inclusive Educational Opportunity for Refugee Children in Jakarta

In Jakarta, as in many places, children go through school with other students of their own age. It’s a practical policy, but it doesn’t always work for refugee children. Often, refugee children have had their education interrupted by their time on the move, so they may behind other students their age. In other cases, the curriculum that refugee children followed in their home countries may not match up with what their peers are studying in their new home.

Our team in Jakarta, who work with refugee children from lots of different countries, know these challenges all too well. Thankfully, there is an alternative. PKBM Insan Mandiri is a flexible, accelerated education program for students of all ages. PKBM stands for Pusat Kegiatan Belajar Masyarakat, or Community Learning Center. PKBM Insan Mandiri accepts students of all races, ethnicies, socioeconomic status and nationalities. There are no age limits, so any student can study there. Students are divided into three classes: Class A corresponds to elementary school, Class B matches junior high school and Class C corresponds to high school.

“Education is really important,” says Pak Doni, the principal of PKBM Insan Mandiri. “It is never too late to study, and everyone should obtain an education. If you are considered too old or don’t match the requirements of a traditional school, please come to PKBM, since there are no age restrictions.”

Mohammed* is one of the refugee children who is studying at PKBM Insan Mandiri. He’s a 15-year-old who is originally from Sudan. He never had the chance to go to school in Sudan. In 2021, he began attending school at the School for Refugees in Jakarta in preparation for a transfer to public school. Unfortunately, he was too old to join the primary classes in public school. CWS collaborated with PKBM Insan Mandiri to find an alternative. 

Today, Mohammed is a Class A student at PKBM Insan Mandiri. He hasn’t missed a day of classes since he enrolled, and he is soaking up his education. The CWS team noticed, though, that PKBM Insan Mandiri didn’t have adequate facilities. We wanted to support them so that they could continue to welcome students like Mohammed. In December 2021, we offered funding to improve their facilities. 

In the past weeks, CWS has helped PKBM Insan Mandiri step up their COVID-19 precautions for students and staff. We also donated sports equipment, stationary, supplies for biology and social studies classes, and portable sinks. Pak Doni says that he and his team are grateful for the support from CWS, and they are committed to welcoming more refugee children in the future. He says that his school’s mission matches that of our CWS team: to help all children, especially refugee children, access education.

*Name changed to protect identity

Stories of Change

A student in West Pokot County, Kenya, uses a handwashing station funded by CWS to help communities prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Students in rural Kenya are on a path to greatness

“We are very grateful to CWS and its partners for the great transformation happening at our school,” says Francis Loseron, the chairperson of Chepakul School in rural western Kenya. “The reason I say this is because the girls’ biggest need [a dormitory] has been met; as a result, they will be happy, healthy and ready to learn. It’s a sad state that so many of our public schools are in similar high-poverty situations, but it’s also a testament to the power of our community here. We assigned ourselves different roles during the construction. Mr. Samson Kameri, the school treasurer, and I saw to it that parents came out in large numbers to support the construction projects. Also, we had a shortage of toilets at the school. With the [CWS and partner] support, we are now confident that the school’s sanitation has been improved and the school now has enough toilets.”

Every child should have the chance to go to school and get an education. What happens, though, if that school isn’t equipped to help them learn? What if it is too far away, and the long walk to and from school is dangerous for girls? What if the school doesn’t have enough bathrooms, or running water? What happens if parents don’t realize how many doors education can open for their children? And, as we’ve seen recently, what happens when a pandemic closes school doors for months?

All of these “what ifs” are real challenges facing many of our neighbors worldwide. Here at CWS, we know that we can overcome them when we work together. That’s why our team in Kenya is working with communities in West Pokot County, where Loseron lives. Hand in hand with students, parents and communities, we are knocking down these challenges. We’re constructing dormitories so that girls don’t have to face dangerous journeys every day. We’re installing water pumps, tanks and toilets to improve hygiene and sanitation. We’re talking to parents about the importance of education. Finally, as schools reopen after long pandemic-driven closures, we’re helping teachers and school leadership welcome them back.

Selina is an eighth grade student at the same school, Chepakul. “CWS not only made it possible for us to have a dormitory at our school,” she said, “but also helped improve water systems and provide life skills and mentorship programs for us.”

Selina also told us how CWS helped as the school reopened. “Early in 2021, 10 students dropped out due to problems from the coronavirus. Some of them were either preparing to get married or engaging in work like bodaboda [motorcycle taxis],” she said. In West Pokot, it is not uncommon for teenage girls to be married to older men for economic reasons. “CWS helped our teachers and parents bring them back to school,” Selina said.

She has a message for you, too: “We see ourselves being great people in the future, and we are so proud and grateful for our supporters for reaching out to us.”

Liman Agnes is the deputy head teacher at nearby Ngengechwo primary school. “The girls’ dormitory built by CWS at Ngengechwo triggered the West Pokot county government to construct a boys’ dormitory,” she said. “Because of this, boys here have no reason to miss school…student enrollment has doubled, and we attribute this to efforts by CWS in our school and community. Parents are more positive than before, and we are working with the leaders to ensure that students, particularly girls, are supported to stay in school.”

Liman told us about how the pandemic had impacted her school. “Our students were lagging behind, having lost almost a year of school during the COVID lockdown. Their counterparts in Nairobi and other big cities were still learning because they have internet connections at home and can afford computers. We are grateful to CWS for helping our teachers to facilitate catch-up learning sessions when the schools were reopened,” she said. “They trained teachers, supplied materials and shared information with our parents about COVID prevention.”

In the neighboring community of Kapsentoi, Totok Lolinganya is the father of Sikuku and Patience, who have just finished high school and eighth grade. “I am deeply humbled because I am one of the lucky parents whose children had a chance to benefit from CWS programs in Kapsentoi,” Totok said. “The most important project was providing counseling to our girls. They have also given me the resolve to take Patience to secondary school, since I now know that there is hope for our girls–as opposed to my tribe’s attitude that girls are a source of wealth in the form of dowry when they get married. My two educated daughters will be great. They will not only change the status of my family, but they are already becoming great role models to their fellow girls, including families who believe that marriage is everything.”

Girls across West Pokot County–and their families and school communities–are blazing trails right through the challenges that they used to face. We’re so proud to stand beside them as they do.

Stories of Change

Remzija. Photo courtesy Protection through Education program team.

Teaming up for Remzija’s Education

Remzija is a first-grade student in Belgrade, Serbia. She and her family are part of Belgrade’s Roma community. Unfortunately, generations of poverty and discrimination have forced Roma families like hers to live on the margins of society. Remzija lives in devastating conditions in an informal settlement. She has struggled in school, too.

Like many Roma children, Remzija doesn’t speak Serbian fluently. She struggled to make friends at school, since she couldn’t communicate easily with her classmates. Then her mom was late to pick her up a couple of times, and Remzija started to get scared. She thought a day might come when her mom didn’t show up at all, so she started refusing to go to school. It turns out that Remzija’s mom didn’t know how to tell time using a watch or clock. (For generations, most Roma girls haven’t been able to finish school. That means that Roman women often haven’t had the opportunity to learn skills like reading, writing and telling time.) Her mom also got confused by all of the changing schedules as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the school’s hybrid learning model.

Thankfully, CWS’s partner was there to help both Remzija and her mom. Our Protection through Education program focuses on preschool and first grade Roma children. We know that when these kids have the chance to go to school and pursue an education, they are less likely to end up living or working on the streets. We also know that we need to engage a child’s whole family to truly make a difference.

Our program team offered to help Remzija get back on track with her education. They met with her every week to help her overcome the anxiety she was feeling. They also worked with her mom to help her tell time. Neighbors stepped in to help, too, and offered to remind Remzija’s mom when it was time to pick her up from school. Thankfully, Remzija’s teacher was also patient and understanding about the situation.

Additionally, as part of the Protection through Education program, Remzija’s family accessed hygiene and school supplies; clothes and footwear for Remzija and her siblings; and help with applying for government assistance. At one point, Remzija’s younger sister was sick and needed to see a cardiologist, so her family turned to the Protection through Education team. The program’s medical worker scheduled her exam and even went with her to the health center.

We’re happy to report that Remzija is thriving today. She goes to school, and her teacher says that she is making good progress. Thank you for helping to wrap her family in love so that this little girl can pursue the education she deserves!

When Pipe Dreams Start Becoming Reality


Luciano Cadoni | May 26, 2021

“One of the aspirations of Plataforma NNAPES [and CWS]…is that children can be protagonists and speak with their own voice about their reality and can articulate their demands and their vision about this issue.” Martín Coria, CWS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said this in a 2016 interview that went on to be part of a documentary …

Stories of Change

A program participant in Ban Mae Surin with her new poultry. Photo courtesy TBC.

Over 500 refugee families in Thailand now have poultry raising businesses

For families all over the world, raising chickens is a great way to eat better and earn extra money. 

More than 500 refugee families in Thailand are now raising chickens. They can add eggs and meat to their diets or sell eggs and chickens to earn money. This program is implemented by our longtime partner, The Border Consortium.

The refugee families living in Mae Hong Son province are originally from Myanmar. They now live just across the border in Thailand in a series of refugee camps. Among other support, The Border Consortium focuses on helping families with young children eat healthy and improve nutrition. CWS supports the “Healthy Babies, Bright Futures” program, which specifically focuses on improving mothers’ diets during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and on ensuring nutritious complementary foods for young children. 

Thanks to Latter-day Saint Charities, we were able to expand the program in 2020 to include providing chickens to 515 refugee families. Now that they are raising poultry, these households can add eggs and protein to their diets. They are also earning money that they can spend on buying household supplies and meeting other basic needs. This was even more important during this time of COVID-19 restrictions which reduced refugees’ prospects for livelihood activities due to restricted movement. For many, this program is truly life-saving. 

The ‘gai baan’, or local free range chickens, were sourced from a hatchery in the province and from Thai villagers who raise chickens. 

Stories of Change

Ronalson with his new sheep (behind him is the newly-reconstructed Public School of Cassavon).

A wooly new chapter for a community in Haiti

CWS has partnered with the community of Cassavon in Haiti for years. It was among the parts of the country that Hurricane Matthew hit hard in 2016, and our team helped the community rebuild their public school. 

The newest chapter of this partnership involves sheep! With support from Latter-day Saint Charities, our team provided sheep to many of the students and their families. Raising livestock is an important source of income and stability, but the hurricane killed many families’ animals. This program is the latest step towards normalcy for these children.

We talked to several students about their new companions, and here’s what they had to say:

Ronalson Jean-Baptiste: “I am 17 years old and I am in 6th grade. I live in Sitadèl. I have seven brothers and six sisters. My father is a fisherman and carpenter, and he also has animals. Hurricane Matthew killed many animals in our community, which reduced our hope. I am really happy that this animal breeding program came to the school of Cassavon. I received two sheep, and my father participated in a training session…My father and I built a shelter for the animals, and we feed them well. I feel very happy when I look at my two sheep. I will keep my promise and return the first newborn lambs to the committee managing the program so that they can pass them on to other children. Many thanks to all those who contributed to make this program possible.”

Anounce Jean Christin: “I am very happy with these sheep that I received.”

Semerzie Djoulie: “When I look at the two beautiful sheep I received, I feel joy.”

Gilles Tacise: “Thank you very much to all those who contributed so that I could receive these sheep.” 

Stories of Change

Photo courtesy Center for Youth Integration

A mental health victory in Belgrade

Jovana and her sisters used to wash car windows in a few intersections in Belgrade, Serbia. Like all children who work on the street, they faced a lot of risks. At home, they were still up against the extra expectation placed on them for being girls: caring for younger siblings and housework. Jovana comes from a Roma family; families like hers are often trapped in a cycle of poverty and discrimination.

Girls in situations like Jovana’s often start families at very young ages–often before they turn 18. They are trying to escape the harsh realities of their daily lives, and their communities accept or even encourage young families. 

Our partners at the Center for Youth Integration in Belgrade have known Jovana for six years. She regularly comes to the drop-in centers that CYI runs, which are spots where children who live or work on the street can eat a meal, take a shower, get a change of clothes, work on homework and relax with friends. The center staff work with families to enroll their children in school and steer them away from working on the street. And for Jovana, it worked. She stopped washing car windows and focused on school.

Suddenly, the day before her 15th birthday, Jovana ran away from home. She had been messaging with a boyfriend who she had met a few weeks prior. She ran away with him so that they could get married and start a life together. Fearing for her safety, the CYI team and Jovana’s parents alerted the police, who found her two days later about 90 miles away from Belgrade. They brought her home. 

Jovana’s family, the CYI team and the local welfare center worked together to come up with a plan to help Jovana find comfort and happiness in her life. They agreed that Jovana would visit the drop-in center every day in order to get care, support and advice. 

The very next day, Jovana ran away from home again. The whole team was on alert to find her, and eventually they did. She was in bad shape, even though the medical check-up showed no physical injuries. Her siblings then confided in the CYI team that Jovan had been aggressive towards herself and other family members. The CYI team advised Jovana’s parents to take her to a therapist, which they agreed to. This is a huge deal, since mental health issues are considered a taboo in Roma communities. A psychologist from the CYI staff shared relevant information with her new therapist. Jovana started receiving treatment and medication to help treat her depression and extreme stress. The CYI team has rallied around her to make sure she is getting all of the love and support possible. 

Today, Jovana is doing much better. She is taking her medications per her doctor’s instructions, and she’s feeling a lot better. When she visits the shelter, the team has special activities that can help her feel calm and relaxed. Between her family, the center staff and her therapist, she has a team of people who have her back. Her recovery is still ongoing; she doesn’t feel up to going back to school just yet, even though she has enrolled in high school (a huge accomplishment in itself, since many Roma girls stop school after primary school). It will take more time for her to regain her confidence and motivation, but the CYI team is optimistic and supportive. 

“Thanks to the drop-in shelter, I learned how to take care of myself. I feel safe here, this is my second family,” said Jovana. Her words describe what the CYI team hopes every child knows: that the center is a safe place for children, no matter their situation. 

A Simple Piece of Wood


Luciano Cadoni | December 10, 2020

A simple piece of wood. Objectively, that’s what you see in this photo. And for most people, it’s just that. But for our colleagues at the Civil Association of Relatives of Detainees of Argentina—known as ACIFAD for its acronym in Spanish— and for us, it’s a lot more than that. It’s the result of years of struggle, countless meetings, setbacks …