Refugees are Changemakers. Tastemakers. Dream makers. And so much more.
Wherever they come from, wherever they live, refugees are shaping policies, art, traditions, dreams and futures in ordinary—and extraordinary—ways.
Read a handful of stories about refugees we’ve met and the impact they've had on their communities and society at large. Then put on your imagination cap and reflect on the everyday ways you could support refugees.
Meet Zahra
Refugee, newsmaker, mother
Imagine you’re a journalist in the United Kingdom at the BBC. A few weeks ago, you met a new freelance colleague named Zahra who is a refugee and a single working mother. As you learn more about her, you realize there are many ways you could support Zahra her and her family as they adapt to life in the UK.
Meet Nelson
Refugee, dream maker, hair stylist
Imagine you live in Kampala, Uganda and your new neighbor, Nelson, knocks on your door to let you know about his new hair-cutting business. You need a trim and want to support him, so you schedule an appointment. During your haircut, he opens up and shares that he fled his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after his uncle was killed for being a lawyer and their entire family was threatened.
Meet Omaira
Refugee, changemaker, advocate for women
She is a 39-year-old Colombian woman who has been displaced twice in her life. Being forced to start from scratch all over again hasn't stopped Omaira from becoming a community leader. Omaira is a Women’s Protection and Empowerment advocate with the IRC and is raising her daughters to continue her family's legacy of empowering women.
Meet Khrystyna
Refugee, small business owner, yoga instructor
Imagine you are visiting Athens, Greece and take a local yoga class. Your instructor is Khrystyna. You learn that she and her children arrived in Greece in March 2022 after fleeing Ukraine when the war escalated last year. Khrystyna’s husband remains in Ukraine.
Refugees are parents, business owners, activists, and so much more. They enrich our communities and cultures around the world. Let’s show our new neighbors they are welcome in our communities.
There are countless, everyday ways we can support refugees to recover and thrive. The ideas proposed in this activity are just a handful of possibilities.
Have other ideas for ways to support refugees in your community? Share them with us!
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