In the midst of the Syrian crisis, Indianapolis local and WWII refugee Dr. Joseph Wernicke penned a positive note to a 12-year-old refugee, Shadi. Wernicke was contacted by CARE to write the inspirational letter as a former refugee.
In his letter, Wernicke described his family’s struggle with displacement and detailed his eventual life in the United States. Despite his circumstances, Wernicke encouraged Shadi to stay strong. In an excerpt from the letter, Wernicke wrote, “Keep going. Keep moving. Don’t fail into despair. There is life beyond this. Don’t give up and don’t think the whole world hates you.”
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