UN Asks Their Story is Our Story to Submit Accounts of Heroic Refugee Women
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) requested Their Story is Our Story: Giving Voice to Refugees (TSOS) to contribute stories about the heroism of refugee mothers to share at the organization's sixty-first session in New York City, which concluded today, 24 March 2017.
CSW organizer Amanda Oaks said, “Our greatest goal in this project is to shine a spotlight on the strength of mothers, and nowhere is that more profoundly demonstrated than with the refugee mother who has sacrificed so much for her children.”
TSOS submitted a number of stories with photos regarding gallant refugee mothers who exhibit maternal strength and bravery. Their stories are many and profound.
Representatives from all regions of the world attended the two-week CSW session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Connecting Communities Through Sponsorship Circles: “Navigating With Humor”
We interviewed Elizabeth Gregg as part of our World Refugee Day event. Elizabeth was first connected with the refugee cause through a Facebook post. One of her friends was creating a sponsor circle for the influx of refugees coming to their community of Seattle, WA. After deciding that participation was possible for their family, Elizabeth got involved.
How Refugee Baby Showers Connected a Community: Do Great Things With Fear and Humility
As part of our World Refugee Day Event, we had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Uzma Jafri. She fills many roles, including physician, business owner, medical director, and most importantly, mother of four. It was during the first few months of her fourth child’s life when Dr. Jafri became interested in refugees. During the countless sleepless nights that accompany newborns, Dr. Jafri would watch coverage of the Syrian refugee crisis. Dr. Jafri felt a pull to help those in the crisis.
Connected Communities: Creating Meaningful Connections through Teaching English
During our World Refugee World event, we were able to interview Adrianne Coleman, a volunteer who works with English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Adrianne’s journey to help others started in 5th grade, when a young boy from Iran was in her class. This boy didn’t speak a single word of English, and Adrianne saw how difficult it was for him to integrate into the classroom. Adrianne felt that she could help him, and others like him.