Calgary’s Soccer Without Boundaries: ‘We invest in them, they come back as mentors’
By Erika Ehrenberg in Ottawa, Canada In the southwestern Calgary community of Glenbrook, children as young as five set up orange, plastic cones to mark their field. In a small park—modest and once underused—young children soon arrive. Around the neighborhood, youth...
“Soccer gave me community”: How Héritier Masimengo found integration and belonging through soccer
Gratitude is the first thing people notice about Héritier Masimengo. Before speaking about his achievements, his work, or his goals, he pauses to say thank you—for the opportunity to share his story, and for the people who helped shape it. “I’m thankful,” he says...
Turning hardship into hope: A Refugee in El Salvador transforms her experience of displacement into resilience and hope
Thanks to support from donors such as the Government of Canada, Lucía was able to rebuild her life far from threats and now contributes to the community that welcomed her. By Jacqueline Steffanie Henriquez Sánchez in San Salvador, El Salvador Lucía* was only 17 years...
“I am addicted to the truth”: A Venezuelan journalist finds safety and purpose in Canada
Forced to flee Venezuela for his work, journalist Halim Naim found safety through Canada’s Human Rights Defenders program. Now, he is showing that this protection can be the foundation and platform to rebuild a life and continue the fight for the truth. By Zeba Tasci...
Families fill classrooms in Lebanon as spiraling displacement strains aid effort
As hundreds of thousands of Lebanese flee continued Israeli strikes and evacuation warnings, collective shelters are rapidly filling up while humanitarian stocks are running low. By Dalal Harb in Beirut, Lebanon The high-pitched sound of children’s voices echoes...
Once denied a chance to learn, meet the Hazara refugee who earned one of Canada’s top education honours
“Every single person in this world could have ended up a refugee. We are people just like you— and our stories matter.” By Zeba Tasci in Ottawa, Canada When Muhaddisa Sarwari was awarded the Loran Scholarship—one of Canada’s most competitive and respected...
As aid declines, legal work offers hope to refugees in Thailand
As aid declines, legal work offers hope to refugees in Thailand. A couple from Myanmar are among the first to benefit from the Thai Government’s move to grant refugees in camps access to legal employment, offering an inclusive solution to long-term displacement. By...
From Syria to the Simbas: How Saleh Al Osman found belonging through soccer—and now helps others do the same
Under the fading evening sun in Terraview Park, you’ll often find Saleh Al Osman pacing the sidelines, cheering on kids with a whistle around his neck and a quiet confidence in his voice. For Saleh, the soccer field isn’t just a place to play—it’s where communities...