Posts Tagged ‘Spokane’
Leaving Ukraine: The Ochkur Family
The Ochkur Family – Slava, Iryna and three-year-old Olivia – had been working on their immigration to the United States from Ukraine for four years. Slava needed one last stamp on his documents, and then the airline tickets could be issued. They expected to get the call any day. Instead, on February 24, 2022, they…
Read MoreWho Is World Relief Spokane?
World Relief Spokane is a refugee resettlement agency, working in connection with the local community, to create a welcoming space for people fleeing persecution and violence in their countries of origin. The Spokane office was started in 1992 by Linda Unseth, which means 2022 marks 30 years of resettlement work. In those 30 years, more…
Read MoreBashale and Mwambi: One fateful night leads to resettlement in Spokane
Written by Susan Yem In 1994, just one week after Mwambi arrived in her new marital home in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), her life and her future husband’s life changed forever in terrifying and unexpected ways. DRC is the second largest country in Africa. Although it is rich in natural resources like oil, diamonds…
Read MoreWho Is a Refugee? [and why should you care]
Not everyone who immigrates to the United States comes with the same status. While there is some overlap in terminology, following are some general definitions to keep in mind. A migrant is someone who moves from place to place looking to improve their quality of life, through work or education. This is not to say…
Read MoreVolunteer Feature: Janine
“We are all called to live out our faith. Why help the next person? Because that is what God called us to do in the Bible.” Janine, Garland Church Janine attends Garland Church and first got involved with World Relief through a Good Neighbor Team – a small group that surrounds and supports a family…
Read MoreIbad: One Year after the Fall of Afghanistan
A year ago, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Ibad shares his story of leaving Afghanistan and starting over in Spokane.
Read MoreWelcome Home, Rezvan!
“Our whole lives were like moving from city to city or from country to country.” – Rezvan
Anzhella’s Story: Do Unto Others
“My mom was so grateful. Even for the littlest things, she would say, ‘Thank you God!’ She would appreciate everything.” Anzhella (she goes by Angela here in the United States because people often have trouble pronouncing her given name correctly) came to the US when she was six years old. In addition to a twin…
Read MoreMeeting New Neighbors: First Impressions
Balinda. Anzhella. Rezvan. Ibadallah. Aziz. Ivan. Massuda. Elena. Haitham. Ivan. Abdul. Andrey. Morella. Halima. Viktorya. Just saying the names of a few of the people and new neighbors I have met in my first week of work at World Relief Spokane makes me smile. They come from the Ukraine, Congo, Afghanistan, Russia — places I…
Read MoreAlexis Dubreuil: Intern Reflection
I’ve always considered it a blessing to have been raised in an environment that exposed me to different types of peoples and cultures. I am one of a lucky few to have this blessing; the potlucks at my churches always presented a beautiful array of food originating from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean,…
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