Our commitment to deliver the highest-quality programming and return dignity to Syrian refugee communities means our programs must constantly evolve. We ask, listen, and adjust our approach to meet the true needs of these individuals, rather than make our own assumptions. In this way, they regain the decision-making power lost...
The way we tell a story matters.
The voices we uplift, the perspectives we share, the shoes we walk in; these matter. As we enter Black History Month, this lesson is more important than ever. For years, the stories of Black individuals, communities, and peoples have been controlled by those on the outside. The words of figures...
We made it, together.
Dear Friends, At the end of a historic, turbulent year that tested our humanity to the core, I wish to first say to each of you: thank you for supporting us through the tough times. In 2020, we witnessed painful questions that have haunted the most marginalized people for decades,...
Innovative Ways to Give Karam
There are so many ways to continue your support for Syrian refugees. The following are just a few: Shop with AmazonSmile AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Karam Foundation every time you shop, at no cost to you. Every little bit counts! Set up AmazonSmile Donate cryptocurrency with BitPay...
This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
A few weeks ago, we shared Ferhad’s story of radical generosity and its power—when multiplied—to heal societal wounds. Today, we want to extend an opportunity to you—to invite you to join us in giving everything to those who have lost everything. We invite you to join The Journey. This is...
A perspective on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving. Growing up as a Muslim Syrian American, Thanksgiving was one of those national holidays that was, for lack of a better word, “normal” to engage with as a family. The holiday advertised as a day dedicated to giving thanks — a key value in Islam, mentioned at least 143...
Generosity is contagious
Last week, we shared Ferhad’s story of radical generosity and its power—when multiplied—to heal societal wounds. Today, we want to extend an opportunity to you—to invite you to join us in giving everything to those who have lost everything. We invite you to join The Journey. This is the opportunity...
Stepping up in time of crisis: The Spirit of a Karam Scholar
Due to current global circumstances following the COVID-19 pandemic, university attendance has stopped and learning shifted from in-person on campus to online at home. Aside from the adjustment issues, a major problem I faced was access, as I didn't have a laptop or an internet connection at home to attend...
Democracy and Voting
As Election Day approaches in the U.S., we at Karam have spent time reflecting on our reasons for voting and the meaning of democracy. Refugees across the world were forced to flee after fighting for their voices to be heard, and many do not have the right to vote in...
Karam’s Story Through Film: An Interview with Amro Arida
Back in 2019 in the heart of Istanbul, a group of Karam House students eagerly crammed into a small coffee shop to learn about the art of filmmaking from NuVu’s Creative Director Amro Arida. A Syrian native himself, Amro is a self-taught artist with expertise in animation, design, and filmmaking....
The intersection of Karam programs and mental health
Over the past few years, the taboo around mental health has finally begun to fade. As issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD make their way into everyday conversation, we can now see just how prevalent they are. And among refugee populations, this prevalence is far greater. Not only is...
Remembering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday, September 18th at the age of 87. She was an inspiration to many young women and activists striving for a more equal and just world. Before her tenure on the Supreme Court, she was a professor of law at Rutgers University, worked...
Injustice against the Uighur Muslims
As the pandemic continues, wildfires rage and social justice movements rise, it is clear that we, as a humanity, need to fight stronger against the injustice that seeks to divide us. Among these injustices is the treatment of the Uighur Muslims by the Chinese government. While the international community has...
The Karam Scholars 2019-2020 Report is Here!
Our Karam Scholars program assists Syrian youth by providing gap funding, tuition support, and mentorship to refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and the United States. By providing guidance (through mentors and volunteers) and resources (to take exams, learn languages, and understand enrollment policies and procedures), Karam Scholars limits both financial and...
The Karam Houses are Reopening: The Process of a Safe Return
The past few months have changed so much about daily life, leaving us all to navigate the world in a “new normal.” Nearly one million people around the globe have lost their lives due to COVID-19. Shops, stores, and places of business shut down. Thousands of people learned to work-from-home,...