Hasinat's life began in Kabul, Afghanistan, a city with a rich history and a complicated reality, especially for women. Her family lived an ordinary life, but as the Taliban's influence grew stronger, Hasinat's family realized they had to leave the country to ensure their safety and future. They spent two weeks living in a refugee camp, grappling with their traumatic experiences and the unfamiliarity of a new land. Hasinat’s mother, Hafiza, was hospitalized due to her injuries, and Hasinat could only pray for her mother's recovery. «My mother was in a coma, there was a monitor with digits going up and down. I could’t do anything. I just prayed to God for the safety of my family and life of my mother» - Hasinat remembers. After a couple of months they moved to the U.S. and settled in Minnesota, where Hafiza continued her healing process in a local hospital. Hasinat lived in fear that her mother would lose her memory or mental faculties, due to the 6 month coma but … [Read more...] about Hasinat’s Journey: From Kabul to Minnesota – A Story of Resilience and Hope
Archives for June 2023
Yuliia’s Journey: Overcoming Adversity and Finding Hope in a New Land
Today, we share with you the inspiring story of resilience and strength, Yuliia's journey from Bakhmach, a small town in the north of Ukraine, to Boston, the United States. Yuliia says: "I come from a small town in the north of Ukraine- Bakhmach. Before the war we lived well and carefree, went on vacation 2-3 times a year, planned children. We didn't believe in the war so much that on the evening of February 23 we made a deposit for a new big apartment, where there was supposed to be a nursery and a beautiful terrace with a view of the sunset. Although the apartment wasn't built yet, we already imagined a beautiful life and even argued about the color of the walls. But in the morning a war broke out. We were left with no money, because we had contributed it for housing, no income. It separated me from my husband, I didn't see my parents for a year. My work was closed and never opened again. I had to go to Europe to find a job and a chance to help my parents and … [Read more...] about Yuliia’s Journey: Overcoming Adversity and Finding Hope in a New Land
Creating Sustainable Homes in Kismayo
In 2013 the United Nations, along with the Somali and Kenyan Governments, signed the Tripartite Agreement to repatriate Somalis who had lived in Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camp since 1991, when the civil war began. Camp residents were incentivized to return to Somalia, but most had left the country as young children or were born in the camp and had never been to Somalia. Since the agreement, 93,000 people have returned to Somalia, with most returnees settling in the port city of Kismayo. Those who returned were faced with limited livelihood opportunities, continued conflict, and the effects of climate change. Alight has spent a decade working in Kismayo. We have constructed water facilities, established fishing cooperatives and built a fish market. Our many projects in the area have been centered around the interests of our clients— from the rehabilitation of the Waamo Football Stadium, to launching a microfinance institution to provide loans for women and youth wanting to launch … [Read more...] about Creating Sustainable Homes in Kismayo