For many, the word refugee is a distant concept — a word on TV or a statistic in a news article.
But for people who have been forced to flee their homes, the word carries a story of change, survival, perseverance, and hope.
It’s why on World Refugee Day, we celebrate the courage and resilience of people who are rebuilding their lives wherever they are.
Meet Festo
Festo James (blue shirt) with his two children at their home in Bidibidi refugee settlement.
A successful farmer in South Sudan, Festo was forced to flee and find refuge in a camp in Uganda. He struggled to provide necessities for his family. His children were often sick and couldn’t go to school.
But he remained determined.
With business training from Mercy Corps, Festo is now an emerging entrepreneur in the silverfish business. The success has brought hope and vision for a stable income for his family.
Meet Rose
Rose, a refugee from South Sudan, harvests sesame from her fields.
Rose fled violence in South Sudan to find safety in Uganda with her husband and three children. She sold all the food she had just to be able to survive and make it somewhere safe. In the refugee camps, she worked odd jobs, faced declining access to food, and often went to bed hungry.
But she remained determined.
With support from Mercy Corps, she is able to save and provide food, education, and health care for her family through sesame farming. Her business partners are working to expand their income streams to grow their savings and secure their children’s futures.
The stories of Festo and Rose are just two of many stories that show the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of refugees.
Do you know how many people have been displaced or are refugees in 2025?
Thank you for your commitment to helping families around the world build a brighter future.
Sincerely,
The Mercy Corps team
|
