Hassan thew himself into each word, asking for private lessons, driven by a desire he couldn’t yet articulate. A desire that would shape his future as an IOM interpreter.

In 2013, Venezuela’s economic downturn hit Evany hard. Prices had inflated and she couldn’t even buy milk. Life had previously been good in Venezuela. She was a university student pursuing Industrial Relations and expecting her first daughter, Vida – meaning life.

Ensaf was taken aback when she learned about refugee resettlement. Is there a place that helps people settle in and find stability here? A spark ignited within her. “Wow! I need to help people with an organization like World Relief.”

This week, we’re sharing stories from our staff – the real, raw, and beautiful stories – of how lives were changed, and hope was rekindled; how our refugee neighbors found a sense of belonging because of the people who welcomed them – especially volunteers. These stories remind us why we do what we do.