Helping Refugees

     While reading this book (and all the other materials in the class), I was astonished by all the struggles refugees must face in their journey to find a new home. It’s not an easy journey by any means, and I bet a lot of people have nightmares about being in that same situation. Homeless, nearly penniless, in a foreign country hundreds of miles away from home with nowhere to really to go, and a country seemingly filled with people who despise you. Relief came for Saeed and Nadia towards the end, when they went through a door that took them to the United States. There, they met with a religious group dedicated to helping the new refugees settle down. This had me wondering what groups exist in real life that helps refugees. So, I decided to do some research on the matter.

     First, there’s an organization called Sunrise-USA. Founded in 2011 by a group of Syrian-America professionals, they have contributed more than $15 million in aid to suffering Syrians both in Syria and in neighboring countries. Besides sending 31 containers of supplies to Syria, they have set up multiple healthcare facilities, temporary schools, and refugee camps. On their website, in a board message that they have written to the public, they have a quote that reminds me of Exit West. “Let us join hands and be the ray of hope that will help pull our brothers and sisters out of the darkness and into a bright and prosperous future.” Another great organization that helps refugees is called the Karam Foundation.  Karam is the Arabic word for generosity. This organization started in Chicago in 2007. Their first course of action was a food drive in Chicago. Now, a decade later, they develop Innovative Education systems for the Syrian youth and distribute Smart Aid to Syrian families. They also help fund sustainable development in Syria. Their impact expands across Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. These are just two examples of non-profit organizations that exist in the world to help with the refugee crisis. Luckily, there are a lot more of them, like the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Here is a link to their website. They are one of the oldest organizations in the United States as they were founded in 1881.  Today they continue their help and play a large role in resettling refugees. This organization is one that is very similar to the organization that helped Saeed and Nadia when they arrived in the United States. Knowing that there are so many organizations out there has made me feel better about the current state of the world. On the news today, we are bombarded with negative fact after negative fact.