Help4Refugees is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to helping Syrian refugees worldwide. After participating in a summer fellowship in Turkey led by none other than the founder Mr. Jordan Hattar, four Concordia students decided to bring this initiative back to our community.

HS students took a summer fellowship with Mr. Jordan Hattar in Turkey.

After meeting refugees in person, Annie L (’26), Angela X (’27), Maggie L (’28), and Gracie W (’28) decided to bring a chapter of Help4Refugees to Concordia. 

Learning Through Connection

In hopes of sharing vulnerable stories and creating positive change, the club Help4Refugees led a series of workshops across 5 grade levels (5th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th), reaching hundreds of students. Rather than relying on lectures, the club designed hands-on experiences centered around empathy and storytelling.

Each workshop featured an interactive Kahoot that challenged students to step into the shoes of a refugee, making decisions under uncertainty and scarcity. Once informed of the crisis, students then created custom beaded bracelets inscribed with positive messages like “hope” and “never give up,” and attached handwritten notes. By combining discussion, activity, and reflection, students walked away not only informed of the crisis, but personally connected. 

More than 250 bracelets were beaded through these workshops.

These bracelets made throughout October and November were later delivered directly to refugees in December, during a winter fellowship in Jordan joined by Concordia student and Help4Refugees member Chloe Z (’29).

Community Impact Beyond the Classroom

In November, Help4Refugees brought their mission to the wider Concordia community at the Christmas Bazaar. The club hosted an interactive booth featuring homemade Syrian sweets, a bracelet-making station, and a mini Christmas tree where visitors could write personal messages to refugees.

In collaboration with fellow service club Bake No Limit, the booth raised over 2,500RMB in support of refugee aid. 

Every bracelet, note, and penny earned that day was also delivered to refugees in Jordan, turning a festive afternoon into meaningful global impact.

Bringing the World to Concordia

In January, Help4Refugees welcomed founder Jordan Hattar back to campus. Over two days, Jordan visited multiple high school classes, led a Middle School assembly, and participated in a panel discussion, deepening conversations around service, displacement, and global responsibility.

What made the visit especially powerful was its interactivity. Jordan arranged live Zoom conversations with refugees in Turkey and Jordan, all of whom had previously met Concordia students during fellowships. Most refugees woke up as early as 5AM to speak with students, eager to share their stories and experiences.

On January 8th and 9th, students connected with refugees from both Turkey and Jordan.

Through these conversations, students weren’t just learning about refugees—they were listening directly to them.

“This made me understand more about the refugee crisis.” – HS student

“I never never heard of helping refugees, I think it shows a lot of kinds, if I have a chance I also want to help them.” –  6th grader

“I’ve never spoken to a refugee before, but I loved how we could listen directly from them.” – 7th grader

"The presentation allowed me to step into the shoes of a refugee and take a deeper dive into understanding their situations more.” – 8th grader

As many students shared, the experience left them both informed and inspired, with a deeper understanding of the refugee crisis and a reminder of the impact they could make.

Looking Ahead

With more initiatives and partnerships on the horizon, Help4Refugees continues to grow as a powerful example of student-led service at Concordia. Their ultimate mission to become an international voice for those that are suffering: the marginalized, the malnourished, and the oppressed. To identify and deliver the refugees’ greatest needs by listening to what the refugees themselves are advocating for. 

Through empathy, education, and action, the club is proving that meaningful change can begin right here: one story, one bracelet, and one conversation at a time.

If you’re interested in joining a fellowship or learning more on how to help, visit the website https://www.help4refugees.org/ or contact annie2026249@concordiashanghai.org!