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A nonprofit founded by Texas high school students is trying to give refugees ready-to-use tools.
AIM to AID, founded by children of immigrants to ease the transition of immigrants and refugees to the United States, announced the launch of the Merhaba app. This platform was created as a new immersive tool for refugees using the convenience of a smartphone. The app is expected to be released on Google Play and Apple by March.
Merhaba, which means “hello” in Arabic, is a common Middle Eastern greeting that connects refugees to the resources they need to succeed in the face of culture shock and helps refugees with the challenges they face during their refugee transition. It aims to address current challenges that may arise. New life.
Some of the features include translation services, a prayer compass that shows Muslims the exact direction in which to pray, and a halal finder that helps Muslims find nearby restaurants that serve meals that suit their specific religious and dietary needs. included. The app also includes trackers to find mosques, Islamic and general attire, bus stops, parks, banks, hospitals, government offices, and more.
The Houston-based organization was founded by Lamar High School senior Ibraheem Lazouki and DeBakey High School senior Zane Assadi and currently operates internationally with more than 25 chapters on three continents.
The first version of the app was tailored for Middle Eastern refugees, making it unique on the market. As the app and program grow, AIM to AID hopes to expand its functionality to meet the needs of a diverse range of refugees.
Lazuki, who came to the United States as an immigrant during the Iraq War, recalls struggling to fit in as a child and the accompanying feelings of hopelessness because these resources were not available. This application provides essential needs and services to assist people from Middle Eastern and Muslim backgrounds with their daily needs.
“Some refugees are deeply embedded in their religion, which is part of their identity, so many of the needs that the app addresses are a way of life for them,” Lazuki says. “Just being able to make these conveniences disposable improves their lives.”
In April, Ibraheem and other members of AIM to AID will go to Congress to pitch the application as the winner of the Congressional App Challenge.
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