Hi friend, my name is Laura and I'm a former refugee originally from Colombia but I now call Rhode Island home.
I've learned throughout my life there are opportunities everywhere, but
you have to keep your eyes open and trust yourself to be brave.
Because I know just how much you care about refugees and displaced
people, I want to share my story with you and the impact that you and
USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency have had on not just my life, but
millions of others. You can read more about me and other refugee stories now.
A couple of years ago, I was working at a hotel while I was a student,
and I noticed staff members from USA for UNHCR. I immediately recognized
the UNHCR logo and thought back to a time when I was much younger, when
my family fled violence in Colombia and when UNHCR helped us.
At that moment, I did something I considered brave — I introduced
myself and told the staff that I was a former refugee and that UNHCR
helped my family.
What happened next was unbelievable. I was asked if I wanted to share
my experience, in my voice, to help raise awareness about what it is
like to be a refugee in a new country. I was pretty nervous at first but
I knew my voice could give strength to another refugee on their journey
to safety or maybe my story will inspire others to come forward and
share theirs.
I was happy I shared my journey and I feel like my voice is even
stronger today because I did. After the story was published, Jessica
Meir, a NASA astronaut and one of my heroes, shared my story on her
social media ! I still can't believe it.
USA
for UNHCR recently published a website, Refugee Voices in Your
Community, an interactive map featuring refugee stories from all around
the U.S. and the world. I hope you will visit the site
and hear directly from refugees (like me !) who have lived the journey
from enduring trauma to bravely starting a new life in a new country.
And if you are a refugee and want to share your story, you can do that
on the website too. I know there are so many more incredible refugee
voices that deserve to be heard — I can't wait to hear yours !
With all my gratitude,
Laura Londono.
P.S. — USA for UNHCR has helped millions of refugees and displaced
people all around the world, just like me ! As crisis and conflict
escalate, the need to support refugees continues to grow, but you can
help. Will you make a monthly gift today to provide emergency aid, protection and hope to refugees around the world?
Monthly giving is the best way to help turn their struggle into hope.
It's cost-effective, efficient and convenient. You can stop, increase or
decrease the amount of your recurring contribution at any time.
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