Stories
I Never Expected to Be a Refugee
When Life Felt Almost Perfect I never expected to be a refugee. I joined a university when I was 18 years old, enrolling in the English department at Basra (the Port of Iraq). At the end of my time there, I graduated second in my department. After graduation, I stayed two more years as a…
Read MoreOne of the Lucky Ones
On September 28, 2016, Alphonse and his sister were welcomed to the United States by World Relief Memphis staff and volunteers eager to help. Just a few months later, the number of refugees to be admitted to the United States was drastically cut. In the span of a few months, people’s hopes and dreams of rebuilding a life in the U.S., safe…
Read MoreMore to Offer: Abe’s Story
In honor of the recently increased refugee cap, we’re sharing stories from some of the brave Quad Cities refugees and immigrants who strive to create a community of welcome for those following in their footsteps. Together, we can [Re]Build. Mbanzamihigo “Abe” Ibrahim’s first memory of the U.S. is of fireworks. “It was two days away from the Fourth of July.…
Read MoreSurviving to Thriving: Dim’s Story
In honor of the recently increased refugee cap, we’re sharing stories from some of the brave Quad Cities refugees and immigrants who strive to create a community of welcome for those following in their footsteps. Together, we can [Re]Build. When Dim was a child, her father had to leave Myanmar to work in another country. It was the only way…
Read MoreFrom Mentee to Mentor: Alphonse
When Alphonse stepped off the plane in Memphis nearly five years ago, he thought he would be alone. He had his sister by his side, but his mother was still in the Democratic Republic of Congo along with his other siblings. Yet to his surprise, he was greeted at the airport by his name—one that…
Read MoreThe Other Side of the Storm
At 10-years-old, Alliance already understands the responsibilities that only an adult should. As she gets ready for school, she glances at her three siblings, worrying about what she will prepare for them for lunch that day. As she steps out of the door of their home in the Gihembe refugee camp in Rwanda, she sees the storm clouds rolling in over…
Read MoreSenior Spotlight: Mary Makuta gives back first
When Mary Makuta came to the U.S. in 2016 with her mother and four siblings, she hadn’t been to school in four years. Five years later, she’s preparing to graduate from Central High School, the first in her family to do so. “My mom didn’t graduate high school. My dad didn’t graduate,” Mary said as a…
Read MoreA Mother’s Love: Mother’s Day 2021
This Mother’s Day, we want to wish all of our mothers, in all stages of life, a Happy Mother’s Day. We know that motherhood is a blessing, but it’s not without its trials. For many of our families, mothers have made immense sacrifices for their children. Today, we honor and thank you for all that…
Read MoreA Mother’s Love
This Mother’s Day, we want to wish all of our mothers, in all stages of life, a Happy Mother’s Day. We know that motherhood is a blessing, but it’s not without its trials. For many of our families, mothers have made immense sacrifices for their children. Today, we honor and thank you for all that…
Read MoreSenior Spotlight: Gabriel Lenge is chasing the goal
This year, we have a number of students graduating from high school, many of them being the first ones to do so in their family. We wanted to take a moment to focus on some of our seniors as they prepare to enter into a new phase of their life. First up is future soccer pro Gabriel. As a…
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