Women of the World Refugee Podcast

WoW Midsummer 2021 Podcast Outline Topics: Women of the World Today I want to open up the conversation today by introducing the people on today’s podcast. Why don’t you let people know your first name, how long you’ve been with WoW, and how you come to human rights advocacy work… As you can tell, Women of the World is made of some diverse voices working to overcome the critical needs of the women we serve. Maybe each of you could talk briefly about a case that you are handling that goes to the heart of what forcibly displaced women are facing today. Pandemic, Vaccine, and the New Normal Let’s talk about the impact of the pandemic and the economic recession of 2020 on our community. What lasting impacts do you think it has had on the forcibly displaced community? There is a lot of bad information out there in our community on the vaccine. Here are the facts: none of whom died from the vaccine or side effects of the vaccine.there have been few if any confirmed deaths from these vaccines. Afghanistan As America left Afghanistan and the Taliban claimed control of the country by force, many of the people of Afghanistan began fleeing. Furthermore, we have heard horrible stories of revenge and mistreatment of the family members of our clients. Like in any crisis of forcibly displaced people, we have a moral obligation to support some of those in harm’s way. Let’s discuss a bit about what we have heard about the situation from those that have families there. Our community in Utah is so heartfelt and giving. As the situation escalated, WoW had many calls wondering how to help. At this point, we have more need to fund case management to fill out resettlement paperwork for the family members of those already clients of WoW. While in-kind support like gift cards or offers of volunteering are always helpful, the biggest impact remains monetary donations at womenofworld.org/donate What it means to be forcibly displaced I want to end today to open up the discussion on what it means to be forcibly displaced and the impact that WoW and its partners have on our new neighbors finding refuge here. There is so much misinformation to overcome, so in the next few minutes, give me your first hand experience with forcibly displaced people, their work ethic, community development, efforts to learn English and anything else you can think to tell someone who maybe hasn’t spent as many hours as you with refugees and asylum seekers and other immigrants fleeing violence.

Founder and Executive Director Samira Harnish gets together (virtually) with a few women leaders from the forcibly displaced community in Utah to discuss their experiences with COVID-19, the economic recession, and the distinct needs of women during the pandemic. Also on the call, Anju Thapaliya from Nepal who is a Lead Medical Technologist at ARUP Laboratories, Taiba Amer from Iraq an Electrical Engineer working at Vivint Solar, and Sarah Alsahyem also from Iraq an engineer studying business in Utah.

Women of the World is sad to lose one of its "best and brightest" as McKenzie goes back to school to develop skills to help on the policy side of social service. McKenzie shares her experience with Women of the World clients, gives insights on the needs of forcibly displaced women, and guides us on the simple ways in which anyone can help refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers--just by being their friend.

WoW Executive Director Samira Harnish speaks with podcast producer Emily Means about Harnish's recent recognition by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Harnish was honored as a 2018 Nansen Refugee Award finalist, representing the Americas region. They discuss what it means for the organization to be recognized at the international level; how to continue to support refugees in the community; and the annual celebration on December 8.

WoW executive director Samira Harnish and board member Mary Dickson are joined by Rzan, who was awarded the title of "Mother of the Year" during the WoW Mother's Day celebration in May. Rzan and her husband, Nour, describe their story of coming to the United States from Syria with their five children, three of whom have disabilities. Rzan shares her experience in America and her dream of opening a school. During this episode, Harnish translates on behalf of Rzan and Nour, who speak Arabic.

WoW Executive Director Samira Harnish and board member Mary Dickson are joined by Vestine, a refugee originating from Rwanda and Burundi. She shares the story of how she and her children came to Utah, her dream of running her own boutique and how she found services--and friends--through Women of the World.

WoW executive director Samira Harnish and board member Mary Dickson talk about the stories of refugees that have inspired them; Harnish shares her own experience of migrating to Utah from Baghdad, Iraq and how she came to establish Women of the World.

Tamara tells the story of why she and her family immigrated from Iraq.

On this episode of the Women of the World podcast, we welcome Xinmeng (Miko) Zhang from the Salt Lake County Columbus Library (http://www.slcolibrary.org) to discuss their Year of Inclusion. In addition to some great activities at the Columbus Library like the Build a Better World for Refugees and the Hope, Strength, Courage: The Refugee Experience A Community Dialogue, they will also be at the Utah Refugee Days along with Women of the World. They have great book lists for youth and adults including:

What rights do human’s have to refuge? How far wrong is the value-claim that fails to extend any help to the victims of war and genocide? What has been our role in resettling refugees in previous administrations? What are the international legal precedents? In this episode of the Women of the World Refugee Podcast, we speak with Board Member of Women of the World and former UN High Commissioner on Refugees Legal Intern Laura Milliken Gray on these questions of the legal rights of refugees and the moral obligations we have to help them.

Women of the World is so fortunate to have had Abby as our first employee and founding member of WoW. Abby has done every job at WoW and has been an integral force for progress for so many refugee women and girls in Salt Lake City. In July, Abby will start medical school, so we are starting early in offering our thanks for her patience, kindness, intelligence, and diligence. Furthermore, we are asking her advice for how to continue to progress and improve. As with anything where Abby is included at WoW, there are a great number of people that have terrific things to say about her. Podcast hosts Mary Dickson and Samira Harnish are joined by Pelagie, Kaltum, and Elisabeth to thank Abby for her assistance in their growth. Co-Founder Justin Harnish also recalls early impressions of Abby and her growth in the position that will benefit her and her patients as she becomes a doctor.

Saida is Somali, born in a refugee camp in Kenya and raised from age 3 in Utah. Saida is a poet and an activist, fitting a passionate voice and optimistic energy into her small, young frame. Wise and courageous beyond her years, Saida talks about newfound feelings of insecurity in her Utah home, a desire to set things right for kids like her growing up in refugee camps, and recites her poem read in the Utah state capitol. The Fashion Show for International Women's Day is coming up on 9 March at 5:30 P.M. In addition to Saida reading her poem, comments from both the Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City Mayors, and musical performances by Monika Jalili -- there will be native fashions from our refugee ladies from all over the world. This event is the signature event of International Women's Day in Salt Lake City and tickets go fast. Go to http://womenofworld.org/fashion17tickets/ to buy tickets.

Cosette was born and raised in a refugee camp in Rwanda but you could not possibly know that from her infectious smile and unparalleled optimism. Cosette talks to the Women of the World podcast team about her life in the refugee camp and her parallel dreams of raising her children with American opportunities and one day returning home to family, friends, and the place she calls home. Cosette's story is indeed an amazing one but her process of telling it is nothing short of inspiring!

In this episode, the Women of the World podcast team reacts to the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President and takes questions from a young Syrian refugee woman. Women of the World feels uniquely on-edge given the rhetoric of candidate Trump, especially his statements about women and refugees. Women of the World is motivated to stand by our partners in the service community in Utah to support and advocate for groups targeted by the new administration.

Today we visit with the students of Women of the World's Intensive Practical English Program and learn about their lives before coming to Utah and their dreams for their lives after they have mastered English.

Today we visit with Chantelle whose infectious positivity will infect you with hope for a better tomorrow.

Welcome to the Women of the World podcast. Women of the World supports refugee women from all nations to help them achieve self-reliance, a voice in the community, and economic success. Our podcast is a safe place for our ladies to share their stories of courage and success. Today we speak with Elisabeth from the Central African Republic about her life in CAR, her flight with her young children and her disabled mother and her arrival in Utah. In this interview we will hear about how Women of the World gave Elisabeth 110% by not stopping at just getting her a green card but also by getting her a job caring for her disabled mother and helping her find a more accessible apartment. Elisabeth shares her love for WoW and her desire to take her programs back to CAR and help women and girls there.

Women of the World's Podcast for this month features Diane from Burkina Faso, one of the political asylee seekers that Women of the World assists. Diane is an amazing young woman, choosing her path against the pressure of family and culture, choosing to be happy even though she has suffered some very personal tragedies. Diane is extraordinarily courageous in this interview as she talks about her young life of political dissent where rape was used as a tactic of intimidation, overcoming the stigma of female genital cutting, and her current struggle to gain an education against the wishes of her father and tribal chief who is set on a more traditional life for her. Women of the World's Podcast team also discusses the recent Mother's Day celebration and some international press coverage we received on the Bold Global blog. Welcome to the Women of the World podcast. Women of the World supports refugee women from all nations to help them achieve self-reliance, a voice in the community, and economic success. Our podcast is a safe place for our ladies to share their stories of courage and success.

In this month's episode of the Women of the World Podcast, we cover 1. Women Mormon Conference The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Conference gave direction to its followers to serve refugees through local organizations. On their new webpage http://iwasastranger.lds.org they give inspiration and scripture for their commitment to refugees. The relief effort "I Was a Stranger” allows the Mormon faithful to reflect back on when they were refugees themselves, forced to flee Missouri in 1839, being both welcome and derided but eventually making their way west to Utah. Our new webpage, womenofworld.org/getinvolved/iwasastranger/ answers some of the question from the lds.org website and steps through our volunteering process. With your help, refugees will be strangers no more. 2. Founder Samira Harnish Awarded Ruby Award for Excellence in Women’s Advocacy Read more at… http://womenofworld.org/ruby-award-excellence-womens-advocacy/ 3. Mothers Day Celebration with The Leonardo Museum’s Community Connections When: Sunday, 8 May 2016. Doors open at 2 p.m., Program to begin at 2:30 p.m. Where: The Leonardo Museum. 209 East 500 South, Salt Lake City. What: Celebration of mothers from all over the world. Cost: Free. Read more at… http://womenofworld.org/mothers-day-with-the-leonardos-community-connections/ 4. Stepping Back From the Ledge As Sisters A touching story of a recent walk-in service opportunity that led to a bond of sisterhood between Samira and a young Congolese mother... Read more at… http://womenofworld.org/stepping-back-ledge-sisters/ 5. Peace and Justice Conference Samira recently spoke alongside a panel from Utah Health and Human Rights and Department of Workforce Services at Utah Valley University about the unique issues that face refugee women. Read more at… https://peaceandjusticeconference2016.org/bios/speakers/ 6. Updated Website Women of the World has recently updated the look and feel of its website at http://womenofworld.org/ Let us know what you think. 7. Monthly Story of Refugee Success Beautiful inside & out. Originally from Morocco, Layla just a graduate of dental assisting studies. I have no doubt that Layla will get a great job working with patients to make their smiles that much brighter. http://womenofworld.org/layla/ Please let us know what you think of our podcast