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Contributors

Zaham Ali

Thought Leadership Researcher

As a recent graduate in health science and a current Master of Public Health student, I am deeply passionate about uncovering and addressing health disparities within refugee communities. My internship with Their Story is Our Story (TSOS) profoundly impacted me, exposing me to the stigma surrounding mental health among refugees and emphasizing the urgent need for open conversation. This experience has fueled my commitment to advocating for fair healthcare access and developing evidence-based strategies to tackle these challenges.

I strongly believe that my personal journey and dedication to addressing societal health issues bring a unique perspective to public health. Inspired by the resilience of underprivileged communities, my goal is to contribute meaningfully to the field by improving public health outcomes. My aspiration is to work for the United Nations, using my cultural understanding and empathy to bridge healthcare gaps for marginalized groups worldwide.

What would you do if you had to leave everything behind?

By the end of 2025, more than 117.8 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced by war, persecution, or human rights abuses — and 45 million of them are children.

They arrive in refugee camps and countries seeking safety and carrying little: legal papers, if they're lucky. A backpack. A child's hand in theirs.

What they carry that we can't see is heavier: fractured families, homes they'll never return to, professions they loved, friends and relatives they may never see again.

In a climate where immigrant stories are often ignored or twisted, we believe stories are a form of justice. When someone shares what they survived, they reclaim their voice. When we amplify it through film, photography, and advocacy, the world listens. Hearts soften. Policy begins to shift.

Because when a lawmaker sees a person instead of a statistic, and a neighbor understands instead of fears, rebuilding becomes possible.

Your support helps us share these stories where they matter most.

— Kristen Smith Dayley, Executive Director, Their Story is Our Story

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