When Mukabera Uwamaria was 15 years old, she fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After five months on the run, she arrived at a refugee camp in Rwanda, where she lived for the next 20 years. There, she met her husband, Eugene, and had four children. The oldest of whom is Elysee Ishimwe. Today, the family has a home in Dallas, Texas. Elysee, now an 11 year old attending Sam Tasby Middle School, was recently the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from his elementary school. He will be awarded the money upon high school education to go towards continuing education.

To date, the IRC in Atlanta’s Health and Wellness and Youth teams have implemented three replications of the Health Improvement Project for Teens (HIPTeens), a theoretically driven sexual risk reduction intervention for adolescent girls that enhances knowledge, increases motivation, and teaches behavioral skills needed to reduce pregnancy, HIV and STI risk.

Resources for families to explore and learn more about how to support refugees in Virginia. Join IRC in Charlottesville and Richmond for a camping event in support of refugee families.

Former International Rescue Committee (IRC) client Patrick Karera -- a Congolese refugee who fled violence in his home country and overcame extensive health complications -- graduated from high school this spring. IRC staff were present to cheer him on.

Right now, more than ever, it feels as if everyone in the world could use a hug from their mother, grandmother, or someone else who feels like a mother to them. This Mother’s Day we got the chance to celebrate these women who mean so much to us all, including the many refugee mothers who inspire us daily.