After fleeing violence in Darfur, resettled refugee cherishes new life in Alaska

January 5, 2009

Dear Educator,

The first refugee from Darfur to find a home in Anchorage, Alaska, thrives in the cold northern climate, having found a safe haven and freedom far from his native country.



At-Tahir Karief, a farmer from Darfur, arrived in Alaska in February 2008 and now works for a cargo company loading and unloading airplanes at the Anchorage airport. A native Arabic speaker, he began learning English in refugee camps, but takes regular classes to improve his language skills. He and his wife both work, but find daycare for their children to be a challenge, as well as saving money for the future.



Still, the family is extremely grateful to have found a new home.



"I love it so much here. I can feel peace. I love freedom. Nobody bothers me. We are very satisfied and happy with what we have," says Karief.



Nevertheless, he remains disturbed by the tragic events in his home country and remains hopeful for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Darfur.

Read more about At-Tahir Karief's story.

Tea and sympathy: Iraqis reach out to fellow refugees in Syria

The two women in the communal taxi – one elderly and clearly distressed, the other younger, well-educated and outgoing – were strangers, but the younger one spotted immediately that they had something in common: they were both Iraqi refugees, adrift in Syria's capital.



"I asked her what was wrong," Lamia,* the younger woman, now recalls over a cup of sweet Iraqi tea. Maysoun,* the older woman, "had lost her passport and was going around to different departments. She was very tired, so I took her to my home.

* Names have been changed for protection reasons

Read more about Lamia and Maysoun.

At-Tahir Karief, the first refugee from Darfur to be resettled in Alaska, has found safety and freedom in the United States.
Catholic Social Services/Kerina Vue