With the help of his sponsor group, Rohan is able to dream of a bright future in his new home.
In June 2024, Rohan, a young Syrian man, arrived in the United States, bringing with him so many memories of home and an unyielding determination to build a better life. His journey to the United States was supported by a group of his friends who have since become family.
In 2019, Rohan’s path crossed with Georges Housney, the founder of Horizon International and now a Welcome Corps sponsor. Rohan served as an interpreter and assistant at the Christian NGO and later met Amine, a Lebanese American who would become one of his closest allies. For more than three years, Amine witnessed Rohan’s struggles and aspirations firsthand during multiple trips to Lebanon and continued communication.
“Rohan has been trying to emigrate and find a way to get to a place where he can start his life in a normal way,” Amine explained. “He tried the UK, Germany, and even Switzerland, but every door was bolted shut.”
It wasn’t until New Year’s Eve 2023, that Amine made the call that would change everything for Rohan. “I’ll never forget that moment,” recalled Amine. “I called Rohan and said, ‘This is it; this is your chance. We’ve found a way to get you out of Lebanon and to a place where you can finally live your life in peace.’”
The call was filled with excitement and hope. “When Amine called me with the news, I couldn’t believe it,” Rohan shared. “It was like all the weight I’d been carrying was lifted in an instant. I knew that this was my chance to start over.”
Rohan’s sponsor group helped him land on his feet in his new community. With their help, he was able to get a driver’s license, sign up for English classes, and even secure his first job in the United States. They also had fun along the way, going on hikes, attending baseball games, and sightseeing.
Rohan’s journey began in Damascus, where he was born to a Kurdish father and an Arab mother. The family later fled to Lebanon in 2013 due to the ongoing war in Syria. But life in Lebanon was far from easy. Rohan had to leave school and started working at the age of 11 to support his family. As the years passed, he found himself increasingly isolated and in danger due to his conversion to Christianity.
“I didn’t want to stay in Lebanon,” Rohan recalled. “I didn’t have a future.”
That changed when Amine first learned about the Welcome Corps and the possibility to sponsor someone you know. Amine, his wife Susan, Georges, and their close-knit group of friends were joined by another one of Rohan’s American friends Kathy, who lived in the same area. Kathy first met Rohan during her volunteer work supporting refugees in Lebanon, when he also served as an interpreter during her trips. Despite the geographical distance, the two stayed in touch.
“Rohan is a delightful young guy,” Kathy said. “He was at the end of his rope with no prospects. I’m far away, and I can listen to him. Our relationship kept going. We talked constantly.”
“It’s amazing to walk alongside a newcomer and see all the things we take for granted through his eyes.”
Susan, Welcome Corps sponsor
In March 2024, the group applied to sponsor Rohan. Throughout their experience, the sponsors received support from HIAS, a national resettlement agency and their Private Sponsor Organization assigned through the Welcome Corps. Members of the HIAS team joined the team for Rohan’s airport arrival and have continued to help with program requirements and navigating benefits for refugees. Their expertise and hands-on support have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition for Rohan in his new community.
Rohan’s adjustment to life in America has been filled with excitement and new experiences. From hiking in the Colorado mountains to attending baseball games and exploring Seattle, Rohan has embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm.
“Everything is new to me in America,” Rohan said.
Within a few months of his arrival, Rohan obtained his driver’s license and started his first job in the United States as a barista. In addition to language classes, Rohan’s job is helping him practice his English and meet new people in his community.
For Amine, Susan, Kathy, and the rest of the sponsor group, the experience of sponsoring Rohan has been deeply rewarding.
“It’s amazing to walk alongside a newcomer and see all the things we take for granted through his eyes,” Susan said. “He has given us so much more than we could ever give him.”
“It affects your own heart that you’re helping someone. It changes your own perspective. It’s super rewarding, but it changes you too,” Kathy agreed.
The two smiled as they recounted Rohan’s first slide through the snow or his first trip to Costco and how impressed he was with the hotdogs.
“It made me realize that I’ve never appreciated the hot dog at Costco before!” Kathy laughed.
Rohan hiking in Estes Park.
As Rohan continues to settle into his new life, he remains optimistic about the future. He dreams of working in healthcare and is excited to explore his career prospects. His message to others who may be considering resettlement is simple yet powerful: “Be patient. The doors will open for you. There’s a day, we don’t know when, but life will open doors.”
For Rohan and his sponsors, the Welcome Corps helped open a door for Rohan’s goal to find peace and freedom in the United States and pursue his dreams.
“Be patient. The doors will open for you. There’s a day, we don’t know when, but life will open doors.”
Rohan, refugee