"America has been through big changes before ...Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future; who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, promising to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control. And each time, we overcame those fears."
Ask Lucy Kiama about refugees or victims of sexual violence in Kenya and she instantly offers a wealth of information and useful context. Her accent is lovely, almost musical, but the words are serious and full of determination. “What drew me to HIAS was the focus on helping the most vulnerable,” Kiama says. “Being forcibly displaced from their countries does not mean that their lives have stopped.”
When Bintou* came to HIAS seeking legal assistance, she was anxious about her future. While she was in the United States pursuing a business degree, war had broken out in Mali, her country of citizenship. She feared it would not be safe for her to return there, but she wasn’t sure what she could do about it.
Forty four refugee children, all currently receiving therapy from HIAS’ trained staff, enjoyed a day out in Kampala, Uganda. “It’s an opportunity for the children to feel welcomed, loved and accepted in this world. It’s an opportunity to rekindle their hope," said Timothy Mukua, psychosocial program manager at HIAS Uganda.
Forty four refugee children, all currently receiving therapy from HIAS’ trained staff, enjoyed a day out in Kampala, Uganda. “It’s an opportunity for the children to feel welcomed, loved and accepted in this world. It’s an opportunity to rekindle their hope," said Timothy Mukua, psychosocial program manager at HIAS Uganda.
A barber. A tailor. A carpenter. Elementary and pre-school kids. Just a few of the Syrian refugees HIAS President Mark Hetfield met on a recent visit to Toledo, Ohio.
A barber. A tailor. A carpenter. Elementary and pre-school kids. Just a few of the Syrian refugees HIAS President Mark Hetfield met on a recent visit to Toledo, Ohio.
A barber. A tailor. A carpenter. Elementary and pre-school kids. Just a few of the Syrian refugees HIAS President Mark Hetfield met on a recent visit to Toledo, Ohio.
Zachary Raney came home from Rosh Hashanah services at Judea Reform Congregation in Durham, North Carolina with a light in his eyes. His rabbi, Larry Bach, had given a sermon about the refugee crisis in Syria and how thousands of children were being affected. As Jews, Rabbi Bach said, we have an obligation to help.
In Ohio, despite Gov. John Kasich’s anti-refugee stance, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issued a statement saying, "the City of Cleveland has always opened her arms to refugees, regardless of where they are from." The Cleveland City Council also weighed in, passing an emergency resolution “to reiterate that all refugees, regardless of faith or country of origin are welcome in the City of Cleveland.”
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![Kids Day Out: Uganda [VIDEO]](https://hias.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/uganda_video_teaser-1.jpg)
