"People are people are people"

Hello jay, Stacy Barnes, Human Centered Designer and Jordan team member In honor of World Refugee Day, over the course of this week I’ll be sharing with you conversations I had with four of our team members who traveled across the globe to speak to refugees who are living in the reality of the Global Refugee Crisis.  The following is an excerpt from a conversation I had with Stacy Barnes, who traveled with us to Jordan. Stacy is a human centered designer who consulted with American Refugee Committee, helping us shape the questions we asked, and understand what we might do with the answers we received.  -Daniel ***************************************************************** Can you tell us about a certain individual, story, or something that you saw that particularly moved you? On one trip to Jordan I visited a man whose family had experienced extreme terror and suffering. Yet, I was incredibly moved that he insisted upon only engaging in positive uplifting conversation. Not because he didn’t want or need someone to hear his story but because we were his guests and with guests you talk about happy things and make sure they enjoy their visit. He and his family were dressed in their best clothes and offered us glass after glass of special tea reserved for honorable guests. He wanted nothing from us but to been seen and remembered as proud, upstanding citizens – not people to be pitied. He wanted us to remember his family as people filled with pride, care, and concern for others. I absolutely will. How has this experience changed the way you look at this crisis and your life back in the U.S.? I have always believed people are people are people. Regardless of where you live or the background you come from there are fundamental truths that we all share. Talking with asylum seekers and refugees who had to leave their homes, their professions, and much of their identity behind, this truth has never been more clear. When faced with tragedy you need someone to feel with. When reduced to the memory of what used to be, you need a purpose to keep you going. And when you feel dependent on charity, you want the assurance and the ability to provide for yourself. What was the most inspiring thing you saw, or most inspiring person that you met? I am inspired by the small things individuals use to make progress towards relief. A man offering to go to counseling with his wife, a woman who began a sewing business to make up the family income, a young girl finding a safe, trusted place to play outside of her home. These examples are achievable in the face of so many things that are not, and it's inspiring to work with people to try and provide even more of those opportunities.   [stay tuned this week for more conversations: http://www.arcrelieforg/wrdqanda] Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Today is For Refugees

Hello jay, Today is World Refugee Day. Established in 2000 by the UN General Assembly and celebrated since 2001, this day for many years has gone relatively unnoticed by the general public. For refugees themselves though, World Refugee Day has meant a time to celebrate their heritage. A time to keep traditions alive, and to relive - even for a short time – how things used to be. A celebration not on the world stage, but largely in the refugee camps themselves.  But this year, unlike in many years past, refugee issues are making headlines. People have been talking about the refugee crisis like never before. And with 60 million displaced people around the world, many of them trying desperately to find a home on foreign shores, it is a crisis that can no longer be ignored.  This World Refugee Day, we’re taking some time to bring you stories from around the world. From people who have recently dug deeper into the crisis and talked with Syrian refugees who are searching – too often in vain – for a place to call home.  Over the past few months, we’ve sent teams out to Uganda, Kenya, Germany, Jordan, Turkey, and Greece to talk with refugees from Syria but also refugees from around the world.  I joined the Germany and Greece teams. We wanted to see firsthand the complexity of this crisis and listen to the stories of those who are experiencing it every day of their lives.  I was personally struck by the Syrian refugees I met in both Germany and Greece who, upon reaching those countries and experiencing the terribly inadequate living conditions there, told me that if they had known what they were escaping to they would never have left war-torn Syria. To me, that is tragic.  In honor of World Refugee Day, over the course of this week I’ll be sharing with you conversations I had with four of our team members who traveled across the globe to speak to people who are living in the reality of the crisis. Their experiences were at once deeply moving, surprising, and inspiring. I’m looking forward to sharing their insights so that you too will get a glimpse into the lives of these refugees - their hopes, and their dreams.  As we commemorate World Refugee Day, let us all take a moment to reflect on all the good that’s already been done, the long road ahead, and the amazing potential we have to be more fully human to one another. -Daniel   Daniel Wordsworth President & CEO American Refugee Committee Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC 6.9.16 - 4 Stars

Hello jay, Thank you so much for being a part of ARC. People like you make our work possible! Here's the latest update on what we're up to. Thank you so much for your continuing support.   -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + American Refugee Committee Gets 4 Stars! + For the fifth time in a row, ARC has attained the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency! The 4-star rating is the highest possible rating – only 6% of the organizations evaluated by Charity Navigator, the leading industry evaluator in America, have received at least 5 consecutive 4-star evaluations. We're on a roll! + World Refugee Day + Monday, June 20 is World Refugee Day. It's a day to celebrate the incredible resiliency of human beings who've survived and thrived through terrible adversity but to also reflect on the global refugee crisis – and how the world is failing a large number of its citizens in their time of greatest vulnerability.  Over the last couple of months, ARC has sent teams out to talk to the world's newest refugees, hear from them what their lives are like, and better understand how what it means to be a refugee is changing. Starting on World Refugee Day, we'll share with you some of what we heard and what's happening. + Bringing Water and Building Communities in South Darfur, Sudan + In South Darfur, Sudan, years of conflict have torn communities apart. Even the very infrastructures of villages have been destroyed, including boreholes where families access water – one of the first things that need to be rebuilt before communities can begin again.  Our water rehabilitation project in Gereida, South Darfur was Designed and implemented by ARC Senior WASH Coordinator Adam Abaker Zakaria Defaa. The rehabilitation project was a huge success – it made access to water possible for 15,000 men, women and children. We trained community operators and equipped them with tool kits for repair and maintenance of the water yards, empowering communities to continue this vital resource independently.  Almost immediately after water was made available, a school opened nearby. Teachers at the school explained that because water is available for the children, they're able to teach again. And, since the rehabilitation began, safe drinking water been consistently available for everyone.  + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC 5.17.16 Bringing Service Closer to Refugees, Drought Conditions in Somalia and ATOMIC Data Matching Challenge

Hello jay, Thank you for being an ARC supporter. People like you make our work possible! We like to share what is happening in our programs around the world. Please let us know if you find these updates valuable – we appreciate your feedback.  Thank you for your continuing support.   -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Bringing Service Closer to Refugees + Big expanses of land stretched over hundreds of kilometers, the vastness of some refugee camps can pose a huge obstacle to those seeking service. Refugees often find themselves walking for hours, hoping to receive much needed healthcare, education and even counseling. Nakivale Settlement in Uganda is no different – spread over 185 kilometers and home to nearly 100,000 refugees, providing service in a centrally-located area means at least a 15 kilometer walk for many. A recently opened center in the Juru zone of Nakivale aims to change that. The new sub-base camp is a hub for services and is intended to give refugees more access to the services they need including gender-based violence counseling provided by ARC.   In partnership with UNHCR, a new tree was planted to commemorate the opening of the new center   + Drought Conditions In Somalia + Our teams around the world work tirelessly to provide life-saving services in some of the toughest places. In Somalia, our staff have been working around the clock to help those plagued by the devastating drought conditions in the Somaliland region. Following drastic weather changes in the region, many families have been left with no food reserves. Because of supporters like you, we've been able to provide emergency food assistance to 800 families in desperate need and we will continue to step forward to help the most vulnerable. ARC Staff Distributes Emergency Food Assistance in Somaliland + ATOMIC Data Matching Challenge + We did it! Over 360 supporters took the Atomic Data Challenge and helped us reach our goal of raising $50,000! Atomic Data will match that, which means a total of $100,000 for the people we serve around the world. Thank you to all those who stepped forward to give! We are so incredibly proud to stand alongside you in this work! We also want to give a big thanks to Atomic Data for their partnership and support over the years. + Giving + At the request of readers, I always include these links so they're easy to find when you need them. Thanks so much. Become a Monthly Donor : http://www.ARCrelief.org/givemonthly  Donate Online: http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate Give Us a Call: (800) 875-7060 Send in a gift: American Refugee Committee Donor Service Center P.O. Box 1002 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1002 + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC - 4.28.16 - Celebrating Mothers, Hairdressers in Thailand and ATOMIC Data Matching Challenge

Hello jay, Here at ARC we like to share what is new in our programs around the world. You make our work possible and are an integral part of ARC. We appreciate your questions and feedback, so please feel free to send them our way! If you are new to ARC let us know if these updates are valuable to you and what you would like to hear more about. Thank you for your continuing support.  -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Celebrating Mothers Around the World + Every day our teams work hard to help mothers care for their families and themselves. As we celebrate Mother's Day next week, we want to honor all the mothers around the world. We know that every mother has a dream for her child. From South Sudan to Syria, we make it easier for moms to dream big for their kids. Each and every day we provide reliable health care, clean water, and safe places to live and play. Thank you for standing alongside us to give mothers what they need.   P.S. As you shop for Mother's Day, consider using Amazon Smile. .5% of your purchase will be donated to American Refugee Committee! All you have to do is use this link to shop:smile.amazon.com + Minneapolis-based Salon Travels to Nu Po Camp in Thailand + Minneapolis-based HAUS Salon sent a team of hairstylists to Nu Po Camp in Thailand this past week. The team has been fundraising for the Cut It Out project in Nu Po Camp. Cut It Out trains hairdressers to identify and direct victims of intimate partner violence to help. It provides a new pathway for victims of domestic violence to access support. Over the course of the last five months, the HAUS team has raised $25,000 to support the project! While in the camp, they have been conducting a four-day hairdressing and hair cutting workshop for the hairdressers in Nu Po. Several of the staff in the camp have been growing their hair out to help out as models for the workshop. The HAUS team has also been able to meet the ARC staff and community whose work their funds will directly impact. "It makes it so real," said Charlie, owner of HAUS Salon. "These are actually the people we've been working so hard to help."   Charlie working on Phadkaew's style as stylist students observe + ATOMIC Data Matching Challenge + ARC's technology partner, ATOMIC Data is offering a matching challenge of $50,000! The match deadline has been extended, giving you even more time to double your impact. So far, we've raised $35,000. That is terrific and we're so thankful to everyone who has given! But with only a week to go we still have $15,000 to raise before we hit ATOMIC's $50,000 threshold.  Will you help us get there? If you step forward and donate now, your gift can be matched 100%: http://www.ARCrelief.org/atomic If you've already made a gift, THANK YOU! You've helped us get this far. If you haven't made a gift yet and you think you could manage, this is the time. Spreading the word helps, too. The more people know about the challenge the better our chances of achieving the goal. Any donation qualifies to be doubled by Atomic Data. of recognition. + Giving + At the request of readers, I always include these links so they're easy to find when you need them. Thanks so much. Become a Monthly Donor : http://www.ARCrelief.org/givemonthly  Donate Online: http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate Give Us a Call: (800) 875-7060 Send in a gift: American Refugee Committee Donor Service Center P.O. Box 1002 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1002 + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC - 3.31.16 - Crisis in South Sudan

Hello jay, You make our work with refugees around the world possible. So, every couple of weeks, we like to give you an update on what's happening with our programs.  Thank you for your continuing support.  -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Crisis in South Sudan + The situation in the world's newest country, South Sudan continues to deteriorate. Terrible atrocities have been committed against civilians. Crops have been burned in the fields and food stocks looted. Hyperinflation is crippling the economy. Food prices have spiked dramatically and people are unable to pay for even the basics for their families.  Since fighting erupted two years ago, more than 1.6 million South Sudanese have been forced to abandon their homes to seek safety elsewhere in the country. Headlines like these are terrifying to read: "Pro-government militias 'told to rape women in lieu of pay' as war crimes continue in South Sudan." It's never been harder to do what ARC does in South Sudan. We've been there since 1994. We've gone through very tough times with the South Sudanese, and we've also been there for the jubilation ofindependence in 2011. The hyperinflation that's challenging families is also affecting our team's ability to do the work. But as long as my staff can still operate safely – and they have so far – I want themto remain in place. We will continue to keep you updated on the situation. South Sudan needs us now more than ever. + Giving + At the request of readers, I always include these links so they're easy to find when you need them. Thanks so much. Become a Monthly Donor : http://www.ARCrelief.org/givemonthly  Donate Online: http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate Give Us a Call: (800) 875-7060 Send in a gift: American Refugee Committee Donor Service Center P.O. Box 1002 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1002 + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC - 3.04.16 - New Classrooms in Nakivale, What We're Proud of in 2015, Celebrating Changemakers Around the Globe

Hello jay, Here at ARC we like to share what is new in our programs around the world. You make our work possible and are an integral part of ARC. We appreciate your questions and feedback, so please feel free to send them our way! If you are new to ARC let us know if these updates are valuable to you and what you would like to hear more about. Thank you for your continuing support.  -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + New Classrooms in Nakivale + Nestled in Southwestern Uganda is one of the world's oldest refugee camps – Nakivale Settlement. Established in 1958, Nakivale is home to some 31,226 school-aged children. In the vast landscape of Nakivale, there is plenty of space for children to play, but not quite enough space to learn. That is, until our team constructed 29 new classrooms. The recent additions to Nakivale are complete with smooth timber desks, and large, new chalkboards. Scattered throughout the settlement, these classrooms provide much needed space for the youth of Nakivale. One of the new classrooms in Nakivale Refugee Settlement + What We're Proud of 2015 + In partnership In 2015, ARC staff put in many hours working on some of the world's hardest problems. To celebrate and share the work that we've done, we ask our staff around the world what they are proud of as they look back at a year's worth of work. Here are some of their responses:  "I am proud of the humanitarian aid that ARC is providing every single day in Somalia. Hundreds of patients of different illnesses are treated, victims of abuse, especially women and children, are given support, men and women's livelihoods are improved through skills training. All of these programs improve the lives of the many vulnerable communities in Kismayo, Somalia. This makes me proud!" Abdinur Abdi ARC Somalia "I am proud to be a part of the Development Operations team, processing donations from over 8,200 (and counting!) ARC supporters in 2015. We get to connect passionate donors to the causes they care about – making their dreams of changing a person's life into reality. I am proud to stand alongside supporters who made such a difference in 2015!" Beth Schmieg ARC Headquarters "I will never forget ARC Rwanda's greatest achievement of last year – the work we did to support the Burundian refugees who came over in April. We built Mahama refugee camp in the eastern province of Rwanda, where Burundian refugees have settled. What made me proud was that everyone on the team – whether it was our supervisors, managers, or Country Director – pulled together to get the job done. It was a wonderful accomplishment."  Kamanzi Emmanuel ARC Rwanda Visit our Facebook to read more responses from our staff: http://on.fb.me/21btU0Y.  + Celebrating Changemakers Around the Globe + Each year we hold a global ideas competition with ARC staff. The Changemakers Award Competition has become an amazing platform for our staff to share their fresh ideas to make the people we serve feel more valued, joyful or powerful. We hope you had a chance to follow the action this year as we received nearly 500 ideas from around the globe! Our teams continue to keep the spirit of changemaking alive, bringing new perspectives and creative ideas to their everyday work. Some of our staff have been able to celebrate together as they received their Changemakers t-shirts and certificate of recognition. + Giving + At the request of readers, I always include these links so they're easy to find when you need them. Thanks so much. Become a Monthly Donor : http://www.ARCrelief.org/givemonthly  Donate Online: http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate Give Us a Call: (800) 875-7060 Send in a gift: American Refugee Committee Donor Service Center P.O. Box 1002 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1002 + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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