About

"...give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." - by Emma Lazarus on the Statue of Liberty. 

​

Background

Today's world is in the midst of the largest global refugee crisis in history. Nearly 80 million people are currently displaced because of war, violence and persecution. When refugees flee from war or persecution, their lives are disrupted. They may experience a life-or-death struggle to reach a UN Refugee Camp and from there wait for years for approval to go to a safe home in San Diego, where they face further challenges. According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the United States resettlement program is the largest in the world. As for 2022, close to 30,000 UN redefined refugees resettled to the US. The process of refugee resettlement to the US is a lengthy and thorough process that takes approximately two years and involves numerous US governmental agencies. Refugees do not choose the country in which they would like to live. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency identifies the most vulnerable refugees for resettlement and then makes recommendations to selected countries. 

​

For refugee children, the consequences of fleeing are especially difficult as their education is often disrupted and may continue to be affected due to mounting barriers. Without the necessary investment in quality education, even if classes are offered, refugee children's education may languish in overcrowded, under-resourced classrooms. Despite the difficulties that refugee students face in starting over, they have proven time and time again that an investment in their future can be transformative. Educating refugee children has repeatedly demonstrated not only benefiting the refugees but also the hosting countries and communities. It promotes social cohesion and tolerance of people from different backgrounds. 

​

With the need for a STEM-focused workforce growing, the early introduction of STEM education to refugee children can foster their love for science and engineering, enhance their self-esteem, help them realize self-value and become active contributors to their hosting country and communities. 

​

​