Olha from Ukraine
2023
Samosas and Chana Pilau
2023
Our 2022 Feast
Dedjingabe from Central African Republic, 2023
Chana Pilau
2023
Muddsara from Pakistan
2023
Thank you!
For Supporting International Friendsgiving 2024!
International Friendsgiving is an outreach and cultural education event hosted by our Community Engagement team. Proceeds directly support our flexible fund to support clients’ housing and transportation needs
CWS Harrisburg's Marketplace Program Economically Empowers Refugee Women
The filming of our CWS Marketplace/International Friendsgiving videos occurred during a test kitchen event when the women shared their recipes with each other and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank staff team. We are grateful for our special partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and their generosity in opening their kitchen to us. We are also thankful for the talents of the photography/editing team of James Yutzy and Michael Bowlin.
TO LEARN MORE CLICK ON A
delicious dish!
Dinner Discussion Prompts
NOBODY CHOOSES TO BE A REFUGEE.Refugees are, by definition, fleeing violence, persecution or other threats to their lives. They do not have a choice to stay in, or return to, their home countries. |
REFUGEES CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THEIR NEW COMMUNITIES.Once refugees are settled, they pay taxes, start businesses and contribute to their communities in many ways. |
REFUGEES SUPPORT GROWING ECONOMIES.New refugees are likely to take unfilled or unwanted jobs, and as they settle in to their new communities, they often create businesses that provide work to others. |
COMMUNITIES THAT WELCOME REFUGEES ARE SAFE.Refugees are fleeing dangerous and violent situations. They commit fewer crimes than citizens in most communities where they live. |
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES BEAR THE LARGEST GLOBAL BURDEN OF REFUGEES.85 percent of refugees worldwide are welcomed by developing countries. |
REFUGEES COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.The crises that force refugees to flee affect people from all aspects of society – regardless of ethnicity, education, class, or religion. |
What do you think of when you think of “home”?
What does it mean to survive? What does it mean to live?
Why do families uproot their lives, leave their homes and emigrate (or flee) to another country?
When you hear stories in the news of refugees on the move, do you consider the difficulty of the journey and the trauma experienced?
What factors do you think influence policies about refugee resettlement? What is the current system for being admitted into our country?
What do you know about refugee resettlement in your community?
Do you know of people in your community who are refugees or immigrants? What are some of the challenges they may be facing?
What are the ways a community can be supportive and welcoming? What can we do as individuals?
How can we follow-up and advocate to our representatives to bring more refugees into the U.S.?
How can we advocate and spread awareness to our network?
REFUGEE
A person forced to flee their home country to escape war, violence or persecution.
RESETTLEMENT
The careful selection by governments for purposes of lawful admission of the most vulnerable refugees who can neither return to their home country nor live in safety in neighboring host countries.
Meet Rukaya
Rukaya, a mother of 6 from Homs, Syria, moved to Jordan with her family to escape the war in Syria.
They resided in Jordan for 10 years, yet never truly felt at home. Finally, after arriving in the US, she feels a sense of belonging again. In her spare time, she takes pleasure in decorating her house and preparing delicious Syrian dishes like Kibbeh.
Rukaya harbors a dream of owning her own restaurant one day and is enthusiastic about learning English soon!
Meet Melba
Melba Valladares García, a 57-year-old refugee from Nicaragua, has been married for 14 years.
Despite encountering physical obstacles, Melba embodies exceptional strength and bravery. In her story, faith is intricately woven into her sense of self. Being a devoted Catholic, she finds comfort in the conviction that God is with her every step of the way, especially during moments of uncertainty.
In addition to her resilience, Melba’s skills of sewing and cooking illuminate her artistic flair and unwavering resolve to flourish amidst challenges.
Meet Hanan
Hanan, a mother from Sudan, embodies remarkable strength and resilience.
Despite losing her family and home to the Melita groups, she found herself resettled in the United States after years in Rwanda. With skills in cooking, crochet, and sewing, she aspires to build a better future.
Her deepest desires are to reunite with her son, master English, and find happiness in her new home.
Meet Fatima
Fatima, a 28-year-old new mother from Myanmar, arrived in the US in 2023 after spending years in a refugee camp. Upon her arrival, she discovered her pregnancy.
As she eagerly awaits her husband's arrival from Myanmar, Fatima is filled with a mix of excitement and worry, knowing the dangers he faces back home.
Her greatest aspiration is to reunite with her husband and start a happy life together with their baby in the US. In her free time, Fatima finds comfort and creative expression in making her own clothes and sewing.
Meet Alena
Alena, a proud native of the Republic of Belarus, hailing from then picturesque town of Pinsk. Raised in a bustling household, she thrived academically and explored various career paths after school.
Now, as a devoted wife and mother to two precious daughters, Alena’s passion for homemade cooking shines through.
She delights in preparing delicious meals for her family, and her culinary skills extend to volunteering at the church, where she helps cook for special events.
CWS Marketplace
Shop Small. Shop Local. Support Women Refugees.Seamless Tactics Series with Durre Sharif
Special Feature on Church World Services of Harrisburg
Hosted by Wen Tan, Founder of Tailor Made Solutions
This special feature is brought you by Church World Services of Harrisburg. Church World Service is a faith based organization transforming communities around the globle through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.
International Friendsgiving 2023
