Our Stories

This past week, with our first opportunity to travel since COVID-19, I witnessed the full power of accompaniment in practice through the JRS Binational Border Program — demonstrating just how imperative JRS’s legal and mental health services are at the US-Mexico border.

Esha then received a home-visit by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Health Intervention Community Based First-Aid Monitors — a program which started in October 2020 and will run through September 2021. With JRS accompaniment and transportation fees, he could finally receive a medical diagnosis at the local clinic and the General Hospital in Gembu.

This past November, Khalil connected with JRS Chad and Entreculturas on a new idea to help other displaced girls process their own traumas, leading a group of girls in creating an illustrated children’s story about the reality of refugee girls across her country.

After such a trying year, we’re looking back at five refugee stories that inspired us to keep pushing faster, higher, and stronger for World Refugee Day 2021!

In Central African Republic (CAR), 172 people living with disabilities — all members of the People with Disabilities Organization in Bambari — decided to come together and open a collective bakery after receiving a four-month cash allowance from Jesuit Refugee Service/USA in 2020.

In October 2020, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) CAR met Jean-Jacques’ armed group to convince them to allow Jean-Jacques to restart his life – as part of a Child Protection project funded by UNICEF and aimed to support the education of 300 vulnerable children and teenagers in Bambari.

Armed with a camera crew, a distinct humanitarian vision, and backing from the US Department of State’s PRM Bureau, meet JRS filmmaker Katherin Alfonso.

Since the conflict broke out in November 2020, JRS Ethiopia has been forced to adapt its approach to serve and accompany existing refugees and newly displaced persons across the region.

As part of our recognition of the Ignatian Year, JRS/USA is asked Ryan Birjoo, SJ, a Regent serving with JRS in Beirut as part of the Middle East and North Africa Regional Team, about his “cannon ball moment” is and how he sees the life and teachings of St. Ignatius in the work he does for JRS.