#WorldRefugeeDay Stories
World Refugee Day 2026: Upholding Asylum and Protection
Today, CWS highlights the imperative to uphold global commitments to asylum and protection, while honoring the courage of the 41.6 million refugees around the world who have been forced to flee violence and persecution in search of safety.
Safe Spaces and Shared Stories: Honoring Pride and World Refugee Day in Japan
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
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 …
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 …
From Survival to Innovation: 10 Incredible Contributions Made by Refugees
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 …
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 …
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, …
Fighting for Family: How One Attorney in Colorado is Reuniting Afghan Allies with Their Loved Ones
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 …
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 …