My father was a shoemaker. All through the springtime of his life he worked tirelessly day and night to make enough money to provide his family with food and a roof over their heads. He lived a very simple life and gave up everything for us to see our happiness, which meant everything to him.

One year ago my biggest surprise came true. After four and a half years of waiting for resettlement in Indonesia, the United States accepted me as a refugee. I felt I was in a dream. I was in shock and wondering if the United States and International Organization of Migration had made a mistake. I had waited for this moment for a long time and now it was finally here.

When Roshan’s collaboration with Elite Open School started in August 2019, Faiza was part of our first cohort of students. Her journey has been nothing short ofWhen I first left my country I did not think about the fact that I will be called a “refugee.” I was too worried about our safety as my mind played out all of the scenarios of things that could go wrong. We may get caught and deported, or worse, end up in jail. With my two younger siblings and mother, none of whom speak any language other than our own, I could feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. inspiring.