Igarashi Nozomi, CWS Japan Project Officer, shared about recent events hosted at the Community Cafe @ Okubo in celebration of World Refugee Day and Pride Month, where LGBTQ+ individuals and refugee community members could share stories, build understanding, and celebrate diversity through dialogue and collaborative art. CWS Japan operates the Community Cafe @ Okubo with ecumenical partners to aid the …
Conversation Guide: How to Talk to Your Family About Refugees
May 8, 2025
Like us, you know that refugees are ordinary people who have been forced to leave their homes behind in search of safety. But with misinformation on the rise, how can you share the facts with your family, friends and loved ones? Here is a conversation guide to answer any questions your community may have about refugees and other newcomers. …
World Refugee Day: Books and Film Highlighting the Refugee Experience
This World Refugee Day, we honor the courage, resilience and humanity of people forced to flee their homes by uplifting the stories that reflect their lived experiences. From memoirs to films, these powerful works offer intimate, eye-opening perspectives on displacement, identity and the search for safety. Books Highlighting the Refugee Experience: Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds by Mondiant Dogon …
Stories of Change
Above: Yana with a program participant Below: Gabriela delivering homemade cake at the Sărătenii Vechi Nursing Home
Little Acts, Big Hearts: How Refugees and Children Are Shaping Community Life in Telenesti
At the Diamond Day Center in Telenesti, Ukrainian refugees and local Moldovan families are coming together to create a welcoming, supportive community through small acts of kindness—from building a children’s mini-library to delivering homemade treats to elders.
At the Diamond Day Center in Telenesti, Moldova, community isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life. From its beginning, the Center, which is supported by CWS, aimed to create a space where Ukrainian refugees and host Moldovan communities could feel part of something bigger: a family, a safe space and a thriving community where everyone belongs.
A Book House Built with Love
That’s how the “Community of Ukrainians” platform was born—an initiative that quickly grew into an active and compassionate group of Ukrainian refugees eager to give back to the community that welcomed them. One beautiful example of their work is the mini-library project in Telenesti’s central park. Designed especially for children, the “Book House” offers storybooks, coloring books, toys and pencils for little ones to enjoy. Families can take books home, contribute their own and share in the joy of reading together.
Yana, a 30-year-old Ukrainian refugee and staff member at the Diamond Day Center, played a leading role in the initiative. She shared, “We do this with great love for each child who will come to read a book from here. It’s our way of showing gratitude for everything we have received here from the community. The pride we feel knowing we’re creating something meaningful is one of the most beautiful experiences. Together, we can create a better and more beautiful world around us!”
Spreading Compassion Across Generations
The spirit of kindness and community isn’t just for grown-ups. At the Diamond Day Center, children are learning that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. In October 2024, the children prepared handmade desserts and personalized boxes—each decorated with drawings and kind messages—for the elderly residents of the Sărătenii Vechi Nursing Home.
Gabriela, an 11-year-old participant, shared her experience: “I was so happy to visit the nursing home. I’ll never forget Grandma Maria’s grateful look when I gave her the cake we made. She smiled and thanked me, and it made me feel really good. I want to go back, and next time, I’ll learn a beautiful poem to make them even happier.”
These simple but powerful moments—a book shared, a homemade treat gifted, a poem learned—reflect what community is truly about. In Telenesti, refugees, children and elders are discovering together that even in times of hardship, kindness, creativity and connection can transform lives.
You can learn more about the work we are doing in Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees here.
From Survival to Innovation: 10 Incredible Contributions Made by Refugees
May 6, 2025
It’s a fact: Refugees around the world have made innumerable contributions to the communities that welcome them. When individuals seeking safety arrive in their new homes, they bring their skills, experience and knowledge with them. Across decades and borders, these contributions have led to many of the daily But what if history had played out differently? What if, instead of …
Stories of Change
Top: Adamou being accompanied to his apartment Bottom: Adamou in front of his na
Adamou’s Journey: From the Borderlands of Niger to New Beginnings in Serbia
After fleeing violence in Niger, Adamou found safety and hope in Serbia with support from CWS and the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights. Now rebuilding his life with resilience and optimism, he continues to pursue his dreams while inspiring others with his kindness.
From Tragedy to Triumph: Adamou’s Journey to Safety
Adamou once led a carefree life in a small town near the borders of Mali and Burkina Faso. A spirited young boy from Niger, he always preferred chasing footballs to flipping through textbooks and could almost always be found on the field. But in 2018, the calm began to fray. The rising tide of violence in the region crept steadily toward his community, until in May 2020, it struck with full force.
While Adamou was away at a football tournament, an armed group attacked his hometown. Over 50 civilians were killed in the onslaught, including members of his own family. He was still just a boy when his mother urged him to flee, to survive, to start again.
That journey led him to Serbia.
A New Chapter in Serbia: Support and Shelter
Here, Adamou found safety at the House of Rescue, a shelter for unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children. With CWS partner, the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, by his side as his legal representative, he gained asylum in the spring of 2022. It marked more than just legal status; it marked the beginning of healing, hope and possibility.
Football remained his anchor. He played with local clubs and never missed a match by his beloved Real Madrid or Chelsea. But off the field, Adamou was quietly building a new life, one step at a time. Today, he works as a Data Entry Clerk at an IT company. With his tall frame and striking presence, friends often tease him about a future in modeling. He laughs it off but doesn’t entirely rule it out.
Life threw Adamou another curveball in the fall of 2024, when he had to leave his apartment on short notice. With time running out and nowhere to go, the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights and CWS quickly stepped in to offer temporary shelter—a swift support that makes a world of difference when someone is suddenly left without a roof over their head or needs emergency accommodation.
Since launching this support in September 2024, CWS has provided temporary housing to 14 individuals, all foreign nationals living in Serbia. Some were refugees from Ukraine, and others had survived dangerous migration journeys or faced labor exploitation. For Adamou, the housing support was more than just a bed; it offered a safe pause, a chance to breathe and the space to gather strength for whatever came next.
Despite all he’s faced—the loss, the upheaval and the uncertainty—Adamou remains resilient, openhearted and quietly determined. He has a way of forming connections wherever he goes, and people are drawn to his kindness and optimism. When asked about the future, he simply smiles and says, “I’m patient. I know what I want, and I’ll get there.”
CWS is thankful for the generosity of Airbnb.org, whose support has allowed individuals like Adamou to receive temporary housing as they establish their new and permanent homes. Learn more about our ongoing work in Eastern Europe and how CWS provides temporary housing support by visiting our website.
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 …
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.
A Closer Look: The Economic Benefits of Welcoming Refugees
February 26, 2025
For decades, the United States has been a beacon of hope for those fleeing violence and persecution. Since 1975, more than 3.7 million refugees have found safety and a new home in America, where they have contributed to the nation’s culture, workforce and economy. Welcoming refugees is deeply rooted in U.S. values, and history shows that when refugees integrate and …