IN SYRIA, OVER 2 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE LOST THEIR HOME, FAMILY AND THEIR EDUCATION. THIS ISSUE SEEMS FAR AWAY, BUT AMERICANS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. ELLEN BILLIARD, CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ROAD TO MARFAQ, SPOKE AT U OF I ON THURSDAY. SHE HOPES TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ON THIS PROBLEM.


BILLIARD TRAVELED TO MAH-FRAHCK, A SMALL SYRIAN TOWN TO HEAR REFUGEE STORIES. HER HEART TOUCHED BY THE KIDS, SHE DECIDED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SHE CREATED WINGS FOR DREAMS, A NATIONAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN PART OF HER NON-PROFIT, ROAD TO MAH-FRAHCK.
BILLIARD SAYS: "THEY HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES, THEIR TOYS, THEIR FRIENDS, THEIR FAMILIES AND ULTIMATELY, THEIR COUNTRY. LET'S MAKE SURE THEY DON'T LOSE THEIR DREAMS."
ABDUL ALHUMEDY, U OF I STUDENT, HAS MIDDLE EASTERN RELATIVES. HE KNOWS FIRSTHAND THAT SYRIAN REFUGEES DO NOT HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES... OR REALLY ANY OPPORTUNITY AT ALL.


"I HAVE A COUSIN WHOSE IN GERMANY RIGHT NOW, HE JUST COMPLETED HIS BACHELORS IN CHEMISTY BUT COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND HAD TO GO TO GERMANY AND IS NOW WORKS AT AN AIRPORT TERMINAL.. AS ONE OF THOSE GUYS DIRECTING TRAFFIC... IT'S JUST VERY BRUTAL"

ALHUMEDY'S COUSIN IS JUST ONE STORY. BILLIARD NATIONALLY ADVOCATES THIS CAMPAIGN PROMOTING SYRIAN CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. ALHUMEDY AND BILLIARD BOTH HOPE, THAT ONE DAY, CHILDREN CAN OVERCOME THE HARDSHIPS OF WAR AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

I'M MIA ROSE, UI-7 NEWSBREAK
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