Never Expected to Be a Refugee: From Sunset to Sunrise
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 researcher’s assistant and then five more…
Read MoreWorld Relief Malawi’s New Country Director is a Role Model for Girls
On an early morning in April, World Relief Malawi staff gathered together in Lilongwe for a socially distanced outdoor ceremony. Staff from abroad called in virtually. Prayers were prayed and speeches were given. The purpose? To welcome Matilda Matitha as the new World Relief Malawi Country Director. Matilda is one of three women who have…
Read MoreHERE TO WELCOME SERIES Part 2 – Rebuild of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.
On May 18th, World Relief Chicagoland continued a two-part series, “Here to Welcome”! You can watch the replay above about the rebuild of the U.S. refugee resettlement program. After bearing the cost of being forced to leave their homes, refugees encounter a rigorous and lengthy security process often lasting years. With the previous refugee admission…
Read MoreMy Time as a Remote Intern
Throughout four months of balancing remote work, a pandemic, periods of quarantine and college, I’m now at the end of my internship with World Relief Quad Cities. During the past semester, I worked as a communications intern. Most of my projects were communication-based and included things like writing articles and creating social media posts. I…
Read MoreManito Pres rallies around Palouse Trails community to address food insecurity during COVID-19
A simple act of love – something akin to the generous young child who gave up his loaves and fish for the crowd – brought Manito Presbyterian Church to the residents of Palouse Trails to help combat food insecurity during the pandemic. Food insecurity has long plagued residents throughout Spokane – an estimated 20 percent of…
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 MoreHERE TO WELCOME SERIES Part 1 – Asylum Seekers and the Crisis at the Border.
On May 11th, World Relief Chicagoland started a two-part series, “Here to Welcome”! Watch the replay above to hear an update about the migration crisis at the U.S./Mexico border from World Relief’s Matthew Soerens. You’ll also learn how you and your church can connect with asylum seekers, refugees, and other immigrants right here in Chicagoland…
Read MoreThe vision behind our Youth Mentoring Program
In March, our much-anticipated Youth Mentoring Program launched after much preparation. As we start to see the first fruits of this program, we wanted to give you an inside look at what inspired our program coordinator, Shawnee McDonnell, as she was creating it. When I came to World Relief Memphis, I was tasked with creating a new…
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 More