It has been over a month since Syria was declared free, and the streets of cities across the country are alive with joy and hope. Families gather in public squares, friends embrace, and children run through neighborhoods that are finally free from fear. The air is filled with celebration as...

My name is Jana AlHaji; I’m 15 and originally from Idlib, Syria. I moved to Turkiye with my family when I was seven years old. We first moved to Reyhanli, then moved to Iskenderun. Escape from Syria I don’t remember a lot of details about our trip from Syria here....

My name is Rose; I am the Director of Philanthropy at Karam. The highlight of my job is meeting with kind-hearted donors like you. I was fortunate to accompany Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee, on the Los Angeles to San Ysidro, California, leg of her...

Five years ago, I stepped into a world of endless opportunities and personal growth when I joined Karam House. My name is Yazan Harb, and I am here to take you through my journey from being a Karam House student to becoming a Karam House volunteer. Virtual Graduation Two years...

For the first time in 10 years, I embarked on a remarkable journey that took me thousands of miles away from the familiar borders of the United States. My chosen destinations were Istanbul and Reyhanli, Turkiye, to witness the incredible work at Karam Houses and connect with the resilient refugee...

I am a daughter of Syria. Not in the typical sense; I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. But my roots, traced back through my father, anchored me firmly in the rich, historical soil of Aleppo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. My Nana and...

In our very first issue of Journey Magazine, we talked about Suad Al Saman, a Karam Leader. Suad spoke about her journey from Syria, all the stops she made with her family, and how she was always “The new girl” at school. So where is Suad today?  About a year...

Why We Empower Many non-profits aim to shock their audiences through sharing graphic images of individuals they are serving. This approach has definitely proven effective at collecting donations. As a donor, you see someone suffer and you are told you can save them by giving to this organization. It seems...

Education is essential to pursue one's dreams. It develops critical skills and helps us achieve success and become the leaders that will build the future.  Education is especially important for refugee communities, helping them feel like they belong after having to flee their country.  A lack of resources keeps many...

The loss that Syrians have been experiencing over the past 11 years goes beyond the loss of homes, belongings, and dreams. The conflict has not only stripped civilians from the walls of their homes but from life’s simplest act, an act we take for granted every day. As able-bodied individuals,...

In a time when we each have a story to tell, a skill to teach, and knowledge to share, podcasting arose as the perfect tool for people to connect to the world.  Previously, podcasts were called “audiblogs”, where their roots date back to the 1980s. In 2004 podcasts were born,...

In recent years, there has been a major surge in the number of refugees around the world. Many of them are in countries with limited access to mental health care.  Forcibly displaced youth are the majority of the refugee population who suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety,...

In July 2022, I visited the Karam Houses — community centers for Karam’s in-person programming — in both Reyhanli and Istanbul.  When you enter the gates, you see clean, neat, well-kept spaces that are tastefully decorated to serve as a sanctuary inside and in the gardens. The atmosphere in the...