Today’s episode features a conversation with Mohammad Jawad, a refugee from Syria, who was resettled in Syracuse, N.Y., with his wife and children. Mohammad shares memories of his youth in Syria before the civil war, the obstacles he and his family faced as they fled their homeland and lived for ten years in a refugee camp in Jordan, and the opportunities they found when they were selected for resettlement in the U.S. 

Using the skills in information technology that he honed against all odds during their years in limbo in Jordan, Mohammad now works for InterFaith Works of Central New York, one of EMM’s affiliate organizations in Syracuse. To hear his story is to be amazed at the power of human resilience and determination in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram, where we are @emmrefugees.

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to sustain and expand our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all of our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999.

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.