Stories
Another Kind of Independence
The string of firecrackers detonated in a profusion of noise, flashes and flying bits of paper—a common enough scene, repeated countless times around the country this past Fourth of July as Americans celebrated their nation’s independence. What was less common about this particular pyrotechnic display was that the fuse wasn’t lit by an American at…
Read MoreWhy We Welcome: Faith-Based Refugee Resettlement
What motivates us to welcome the stranger? Not all Americans support welcoming refugees to the US, but research in the Quad Cities tells a different story.
Read MoreYour Family is Coming: A Refugee Family’s Long Road to Reunion
Every day, people leave their homes due to persecution, violence, conflict, and climate-related factors. Their journeys to safety are often marked by loss, separation, and worry for those left behind. For ten years, Ibrahim was separated from his family. This is their story of enduring hope. It’s a beautiful example of one refugee family reunited…
Read MoreWorld Refugee Day Gives Awisi Bustos Hope
June 20th is World Refugee Day. It’s a day to honor those who have been forced to flee their home countries and recognize their courage. It’s also a time to recognize the ways in which we can create opportunities for refugees. In this interview, Awisi Bustos discusses the importance of accessibility and what World Refugee…
Read MoreAt a Well With Someone Different
June 20th is World Refugee Day. It’s a day to honor those who have been forced to flee their home countries and recognize their courage. It’s also a time to recognize the ways in which we can create opportunities for refugees and welcome them with open arms. Honoring the vulnerable The arrival of June brings…
Read MoreGraduating With a New Perspective
More than a skillset Looking back on the last year I have spent interning with World Relief Quad Cities, I am so grateful for all the opportunities and the people I’ve met as a Communications intern. This internship was exactly what I wanted and then some, as I was able to hone my skills in…
Read MoreFrom Burma to the U.S.
Saw Sar Kapaw*, pictured above with his wife and son, worked as a lawyer and activist in Burma, also known as Myanmar. He sought out justice and had a passion for his daily work. But on February 1, 2021, everything changed. His fight for justice had just begun. Burma, which sits just west of Thailand…
Read MoreAli’s Story: A Refugee Pharmacist Using His Career to Give Back to Others
In 2010, a man named Ali AlQaisi arrived to the U.S. as a refugee from Iraq. At home in Baghdad, he had worked as a pharmacist. But when he and his family arrived to the United States, he faced the challenge of starting over entirely. He had to rebuild his life. He had to restart…
Read MoreClare Stephenson Helps Moms in Need
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Clare is a mom who does it all, going above and beyond for anyone who steps into her office. Here’s her story. A guide for mothers Clarissa Stephenson knows how hard being a mother can be. Not only is she the mother of her two and a half…
Read MoreFree From Persecution: Eddy’s Story
The Democratic Republic of Congo has 25 provinces and over 200 tribes, but they all experience violence and discrimination. Eddy recently reunited with his brother, niece, and nephew who stayed behind in a refugee camp after losing their home. Here’s his story. Followed by War Edouard “Eddy” Iranzi was born into war. In 1996, fighting…
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