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
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
Syria and Türkiye Earthquake Response
**Update: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023** Questscope, in partnership with Alight, has been responding for earthquake survivors in Syria since February 6 - the day the earthquake happened. Our teams' relief efforts have been focused on the Aleppo region, but also include support for families in rural areas near Hama (who've received little to no support). Current Response: *Food and Emergency Relief - Our team has been focused on the emergency needs of families, supporting 6+ shelters and more than 3,000 quake survivors. The team has provided hot meals and emergency food rations to thousands of families. Many of these families were suffering before the quake without enough to eat. Support Earthquake Response DONATE NOW! {Questscope CEO Muthanna Khriesat from Aleppo} *Protection & Shelter - Our team is providing blankets, warm clothes, dignity kits (for women), and hygiene kits at collective shelters. Electricity is still only available 1 hour per day, so we've distributed … [Read more...] about Syria and Türkiye Earthquake Response
Become a Welcome Corps Sponsor
Private citizens can now sponsor refugees in the U.S On January 19, 2023, the State Department announced the launch of Welcome Corps, a new U.S. government program that allows everyday Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world. … [Read more...] about Become a Welcome Corps Sponsor
Alight Welcomes Zohra Zori as Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer
Alight is pleased to annouce Zohra Zori as our newly appointed Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer (CMEO). Zori will oversee the next chapter of brand evolution for Alight. Zori is a seasoned nonprofit leader, with nearly 20 years of experience in various executive roles in the social sector. … [Read more...] about Alight Welcomes Zohra Zori as Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer
Welcomer Resources
Becoming a Welcomer We’re so excited and grateful to have you on the journey of being a sponsor, and we’re here to be your guides on the journey. Welcome to the sponsor resource hub! On this page you will find an eLearning training, an invitation to join our weekly open Zoom rooms hosted by our Sponsor Guides, and lots of tools to help you navigate your sponsorship journey! Get started below! The Training This course will guide you and the newcomers from the moment of their arrival at the airport (including preparing for that day) until the moment you reach your sponsorship goals. The course will provide tools that you can use to complete the necessary tasks for Day 1, Week 1 and Month 1 of the journey. We recommend that all your group members take this course, and you can come back to it at any time to reference and refresh your mind! Start the course now. Weekly Zoom sessions Our Sponsor Guides, Tolya and Anastasiia, host weekly open Zoom rooms to answer questions … [Read more...] about Welcomer Resources
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING UKRAINIANS
Meeting displaced Ukrainians at critical moments, thanks to you! Alight is coming alongside Ukrainians on their journey, to help them process, re-orient, connect, and navigate their new reality. We’ve been listening and what we’ve learned has helped us build a human-centered response. … [Read more...] about THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING UKRAINIANS
Be A Welcomer. Sponsor a Ukrainian Family
Families are coming to a new place and beginning from scratch. Sponsorship is the ultimate neighborly act. Sponsors provide day-to-day support to make sure Ukrainian newcomers are welcomed and have the information and tools they need to start a new life in the U.S. … [Read more...] about Be A Welcomer. Sponsor a Ukrainian Family
Alight Flood Response in Pakistan
Historic and Catastrophic Monsoon Flooding The recent devastating floods in Pakistan have left millions of people homeless and one-third of Pakistan underwater. … [Read more...] about Alight Flood Response in Pakistan