06/20/2023
6/20: World Refugee Day
"It would take a whole encyclopedia series of books to document all the stories of what I experienced as I became a refugee." - my friend as she talked about her life
The official 2023 # is over 100 million refugees/IDPs(Internally Displaced People), but by approximate stats from host countries I have visited, it's not uncommon to have 2-4 undocumented refugees for every one that has a #. 41% are under 18 years old.
The world is on the move. The crowds have only gotten bigger. And the stories have gotten crazier. Pirates, boats returned to sea, politics and policies, and lives being upturned by the thousands. It's overwhelming.
Invest in a few people who are very different from yourself. It will drastically change your life. And that my friends, is an understatement of the amazing things that can happen.
The types of topics I like to research might be very different from yours. Today highlights the refugees who have become an important part of my life story. At least once a year, take the time to honor and reflect on the people who have most impacted you, and honor them. Do your version of Refugee Day.