A school principal at 18: This teen helped build a school and hope for refugee children
By Zeba Tasci in Ottawa, Canada When Abdullah Sarwari was 16 years old, he believed his education had come to an end. His family had fled to Indonesia after years of displacement, joining thousands of refugees waiting for safety and a chance to rebuild their lives....
A new beginning through play: how Welcome to Play brings hope, healing and belonging to kids in Edmonton
By Zeba Tasci in Ottawa, Canada When families arrive in a new country after fleeing conflict, persecution or uncertainty, the world they once knew feels far away — and the challenges of building a new life can feel overwhelming. For children and parents alike, the...
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...
“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...
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...
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...
‘Soccer is everything’: How Dacious Richardson’s love of the game helped him heal from a childhood shaped by war
From a childhood shaped by war in Liberia to building one of Vancouver’s most dynamic youth initiatives, soccer has remained a constant through every chapter of Dacious Richardson’s life. For him, it’s only the beginning of unlocking the game’s...