Life Vests
Life vests from the shores of Lesbos. As I pull them from the box my amazing friends, Luca and Silvia, packed them in after collecting them from those abandoned, rocky shores, I am struck by what it must have represented to the man, woman, or child who wrapped themselves in these vests and pushed off from their continent — pushed away from destruction and pain, from shattered dreams and living nightmares — placing their very lives and futures in the hands of their God and their fellow human beings on the other side of all that looming water. These lifeless orange shells awaken in me a deep sense of responsibility as I pull them out one by one. They were dropped in relief as feet touched solid, peaceful, European soil and eyes were trained forward with hope. And now their story is ours. Life vests from the shores of Lesbos.
Allowing newcomers to work helps, not hinders, the economy
There are many misconceptions about the effects newcomers have on the economy. Granting newcomers formal labor market access actually helps improve the economy, current citizens job opportunities, and newcomer’s livelihoods.
One Does Not Choose to Become a Refugee
A refugee reflects on integration and how she feels like her heart is in two places at once. She loves her new city, but Kabul will always be the city of her dreams.