Roads of Success aids Iraqi refugees in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KUSI News) – A new mentoring program is inspiring young Iraqi refugees to become leaders. The new Roads of Success Mentoring program aims to make an impact on Iraqi refugees in San Diego.

18 year-old Aya Abdulrazzaq has been in the United States for a year now. She and her family had been in the Middle East taking care of her 15 year-old brother, Ahmed, who was hit by a car.

When they arrived to San Diego, Ahmed had life saving spinal surgery at Rady Children’s Hospital, and he is so thankful.

The two teens go to Grossmont High, and are also thankful to be part of the new Roads of Success Mentoring program that pairs young refugees with government officials to teach them how to be leaders.

“They come here distraught, psychological deterioration after seeing war when you see people right in front of you dying, see kids being raped, how do you come here and try to act like everything’s normal,” said Jacqueline Isaac, Vice President of Roads of Success.

The new program shows the power of opportunity and resilience.

“I want to learn architecture,” said Ahmed.

Aya said, “I can do anything I want to do, dress, my speak, that’s freedom, speech freedom.”