From Witness to Voice: Chloe’s Fellowship Journey in Jordan
After joining the team in her first year of high school, Chloe quickly developed a deep interest in refugee stories and a strong desire to learn more. Motivated by this curiosity and compassion, she chose to participate in the fellowship, traveling to Jordan to meet Syrian refugees living there. Throughout the experience, she connected with individuals whose resilience and authenticity left a lasting impression, and she returned determined to share their stories with the wider community.
One of the clubs’ members, Chloe Zhang, recently embarked on a fellowship to Amman, Jordan. There, she immersed herself in the heartfelt stories of local refugees, making connections and hoping to be their voice to the world. Her journey began on December 21st 2025, when she first set foot in the historic city of Amman.
Initially, Chloe arrived ready to solely listen and observe. Yet, she quickly became an active participant in many of the refugee encounters. The shared passion for drawing became an instant bridge, connecting her to refugees in the camp. Their generosity was moving; they welcomed her with a hospitality that went beyond words, offering smiles and invitations into their tents. Without a common language, a smile became their most fluent language with Chloe.
Even while socializing with her new friends, Chloe held to the fellowship's core mission: to offer kindness and be of service. Staying to that purpose, her and other fellowship members distributed winter clothes to the refugees, delivering these essentials with the hope that the harsh winter would be merciful towards the refugees.
At some points of the trip, the conversations saddened Chloe. In the quiet, women-only space, she got to understand a different kind of story, the story of their lives. Chloe encountered girls like her, similar in age and/or in passion, but living lives completely different from her own. Listening to the girls’ stories was a heartbreaking and serious experience. Physically, they were only an arm’s reach away, yet in that moment, Chloe felt as though they were oceans away from her.
Slowly, as they got closer and more comfortable with Chloe, the conversation turned. As they began discussing their favorite music artists and their dreams, the mood lifted completely. That sudden turn from past trauma to future hopes was perhaps the most genuine connection of all. It was a profound reminder that behind the girls’ stories, they were not just refugees; they were human beings first. Being a refugee is just a state, one that came after they were already people with lives, hopes, and dreams that were often paused or forgotten. This moment was pivotal. Choe understood that perhaps she might never fully comprehend what they had endured; what they shared was only a tip of the iceberg, but that glimpse was enough.
Through Chloe’s fellowship experience, she carried more than just memories; she carried a responsibility. The stories shared in those tents are now hers to hold and tell. She returns as a witness, with a purpose: to ensure the world sees those behind the cover. This small step of, talking, of listening, of reaching out a helping hand, has the power to ripple outward. And sometimes, a single act of caring creates an endless ripple…