Across the globe, families and communities are doing the hard work of holding on to their traditions while forging ahead toward better futures. Whether they’re nurturing crops in Tanzania, starting over in Arizona, raising children in refugee camps, or transforming classrooms in India, they are proving that progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of culture. These four stories from our nonprofit partners show how, with the right support, people can both preserve what makes them who they are — and thrive.
Episcopal Relief & Development: Growing Resilience Through Farming and Faith
In Lamaiti, Tanzania, Lukasi wanted more for his family — stability, education, and the chance to start a business. But with unreliable rainfall and poor-quality seeds, farming alone wasn’t enough. That changed when he joined a Savings with Education group supported by Episcopal Relief & Development and the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. He not only learned new conservation agriculture techniques, but also started a kitchen garden and began training his neighbors. Now, Lukasi’s family is food secure, his children are in school, and a new home is under construction. His journey reflects a broader truth: when communities are equipped with tools that honor their environment and culture, traditions are not just protected — they flourish.
International Rescue Committee: Rebuilding Lives, Reimagining Traditions
For Arifa, Zahra, and Hadisa, escaping Kabul was just the beginning. After surviving a harrowing journey to the United States, the three Afghan women are rebuilding their lives in Arizona through a partnership between the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Arizona State University. Now full-time students, they are embracing new opportunities while staying connected to their Afghan roots. The challenge ahead is both personal and cultural: how do you preserve the language, customs, and community of home when you are thousands of miles away? With the IRC’s support — from Afghan-speaking case workers to a strong community of fellow newcomers — they are writing a new chapter that honors where they came from while embracing what lies ahead.
Alight: Helping Mothers Focus on What Matters Most
Motherhood is never easy. In a refugee camp, it can be overwhelming. That’s why Alight’s Mother 2 Mother support group in Mugombwa Refugee Camp is so vital. These trained volunteers help new mothers make better nutrition choices, identify signs of malnutrition early, and cook nutrient-rich meals for their children. It’s lifesaving work — but it’s also cultural preservation. By alleviating the daily stress of feeding and caring for young children, these mothers are able to focus on other parts of family life: storytelling, teaching their native language, and passing down customs that might otherwise be lost. When basic needs are met, space opens up for heritage to be passed on.
Ashoka: Creating Spaces Where Youth — and Their Culture — Can Thrive
In India, Ashoka Fellow Vishal Talreja is building the kinds of learning environments many children need but rarely find—ones rooted in care, creativity, and cultural safety. Through his organization, Dream a Dream, Vishal and his team are working in partnership with schools and governments to transform how education is delivered. It’s not just about life skills or academics; it’s about ensuring young people feel seen and safe enough to express their identities. Many of the program’s facilitators are alumni themselves, carrying forward their own lived experiences as they design environments that respect and reflect the diverse cultural backgrounds of their students. In doing so, Dream a Dream helps preserve not only individual dignity, but the collective traditions of entire communities.
Protecting Heritage, Empowering People
Whether through agriculture, education, motherhood, or migration, these stories remind us that culture isn’t static — it evolves, adapts, and survives. And when people are supported in meaningful, context-driven ways, they don’t have to choose between honoring their heritage and creating a better life. They can do both.
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Thank you Alight, International Rescue Committee, Episcopal Relief & Development, and Ashoka for providing content for this blog.
