“The boss wants five lunches, to go,” he demanded, without offering to pay. Amaya looked over at her sister, confused. She replied, “Who is your boss and why do we…
Topic: Community Legal Empowerment
Rohingya women voice their rights through theater
Sisters Hasina and Bibi have something new in common. Rohingya refugees who fled to Malaysia as children, Hasina and Bibi were both married off as child brides, both unable to…
A quest for education: Asad’s story
Asad graduated from high school at the top of his class. With a thirst for knowledge and a gift for languages, including English, he dreamed of pursuing a university education.…
A different place, a different life: Maribel’s story of survival
As a child growing up in rural Colombia, Maribel dreamt of becoming a nurse or a seamstress. She lived on a farm with her parents and siblings, but her childhood…
Women’s empowerment and education in Ecuador
Asylum Access Ecuador (AAE) began organizing its Encuentros de Mujeres (Women’s Empowerment Groups) in 2010. Offered on a bi-weekly basis at AAE offices across the country, these meetings provide a safe…
For refugees, by refugees: AAT clients develop Community Action Plan
What would you do if you landed in a foreign country without a penny to your name, without the ability to speak the language and without any friends who might…
A Journey to the Frontlines of Refugee Rights Assistance
Notes from a visit to our offices in border towns and cities across Ecuador. One year after Asylum Access Ecuador opened five new offices around the country, I visited to…
Asylum Access Ecuador: We’re Expanding!
An interview with Karina Sarmiento, Asylum Access Ecuador Country Director You’ve led the office through some significant growth in the past year. Can you tell us a bit about the…
Advocating Against Refugee Detention in Africa
This October, Asylum Access Tanzania co-hosted the International Detention Coalition's Africa Regional Workshop at our office in Dar es Salaaam. Aimed at improving immigration detention practices across the continent, our…
A New Chapter in Refugee Women’s Empowerment in Tanzania
After months of planning, Asylum Access Tanzania launched its inaugural Women’s Empowerment Group on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2011, creating a peer support group where women could learn…