“There wasn’t a time when I wasn’t a refugee,” Husam said. To many Syrian children, home is unknown. Their parents left Syria either when they were infants or still growing in their mother’s wombs. When asked “where do you belong?” they stare into nothingness, searching for an answer in all the people they love and places they’ve been. Some say, “I belong to Syria, always,” even if they haven’t lived there for a long time. Others say, “I do not belong anywhere anymore. I don’t know where I belong,” with their eyes fixed on memories of grandma’s house or the street where they spent their childhood. 

It is hard to understand the daily experience of a refugee in a place where they don’t feel they belong — the strange country they’ve reached by sea or land, or don’t speak the language, and are still learning the culture. To them, they are more than what they have been labeled. They are neither after anyone’s job nor money. They seek the dignity of providing for themselves and their families and a place to call home. 

Forced into circumstances outside of their control, refugees seek the tools they need to rebuild their homes and futures. They are future doctors, who take an oath to treat every human being, regardless of ethnicity or race. They are future lawyers, writers, artists, architects, and engineers who will create the world around us. They are future leaders.

“What can I do?” you might ask. Start by learning about refugees, about their homes, why they had to flee, and how they got here. Then, have an open and honest conversation, ask them questions, and respect their privacy if they refuse to answer. Open your arms and heart to welcome them into your space, show them that this is a safe haven. And if you can, donate your time or your money into empowering refugees until they are able to provide for themselves. 

Humanitarian aid looks at the whole individual. Don’t just support organizations that provide the bare essentials, support organizations that hire refugees. Support those who invest in the future of refugees, prioritizing their education and learning. 

Karam Foundation is a great place to start. You can join The Journey, a community of monthly donors that not only provides consistent support to Karam, but also receives access to exclusive content, materials, and discounts. Any time you donate to Karam Foundation, you can be sure that you are creating a generation of leaders prepared to transform the future of their families and communities, wherever they go.