How a volunteer helped refugee women in Houston find their voice

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For years, a woman in Houston made it her mission to help refugee women build their lives here. For many, this is a place where they may be coming with no family or friends to help them navigate their transition.

While volunteering with a local nonprofit, Tamara Rawwad helped empower the women to find their voice. In a room full of unfamiliar words, she became the understanding in between.

Rawwad, originally from Jordan, volunteered at Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston through their Women's Empowerment Group as an interpreter.

"I need to be that bridge between the American volunteers and the ladies ... the refugees," Rawwad said. "Interpretation is different. You include the cultural background."

The group helps refugee women access resources, build relationships, and learn valuable skills.

"We had from Houston Police Department, some police women coming and talking to the ladies," Rawwad said. "We had classes on car care and how to change a tire."

Years ago, Rawwad found herself in a similar situation. She was new to Houston, searching for support.

"It wasn't easy because I came with two toddlers," Rawwad said. "One was one year old, and the other was three. I was doing, you know, doing graduate school, and I didn't have family."

Rawwad volunteered as an interpreter for four years. Ultimately, her journey took her back home to Jordan to help her family. Still, the work of the women's empowerment group continued.

Assistant Director for Refugee Services, Praveena Lakshmanan, said the group continues to grow with more voices.

"We started the group for our Arabic-speaking women who, at that time, really needed the support," Lakshmanan said. "Over the years, it has expanded to include and support women from Afghanistan, the Dari and Pashto speaking women, as well as our Spanish speaking women. So we have a total of four groups at this point."

The activities are expanding as well.

"The women have participated in a theater performance," Lakshmanan said. "They have participated in a 5K walk and a run. They have engaged in sewing courses and certifications."

The group now serves close to 200 women, according to Lakshmanan, and Rawwad's impact is still remembered.

"Through her work, she was able to kind of bridge the language barriers that many of the women had when they had newly arrived and also was able to kind of serve as that role model for the women who were part of that group at that time," Lakshmanan said.

Even though Rawwad is now thousands of miles away, she still thinks fondly of her time in Houston.

"I miss it so much," Rawwad said. "It has a special place in my heart."

She said this city and this group left a lasting impression on her.

"It did impact me," Rawwad said. "I hope that I was one that gave them some hope."