LOCAL NEWS

Global refugee archive collecting the stories of the world’s displaced.

Oct 21, 2021, 6:49 PM | Updated: 6:54 pm

PROVO, Utah — The struggles of refugees around the world have captured headlines recently due to the plight of the Afghan peopleA Global Refugee Archive launched today at Brigham Young University by a nonprofit plans to preserve those stories.

This is a digital archive to be housed at the Harold B. Lee Library Scholars Archive. The stories will be available to the public, academic researchers and humanitarians.

“They didn’t choose to leave their homes. They had to leave their homes,” said Robin Peterson, director of archives for Their Story is Our story.

A new digital collection of their stories as refugees will be gathered in the Global Refugee Archive at BYU. Stories, photos and video will be collected and managed by Their Story is Our Story, or TSOS.

“These are individuals that have families, that have hopes and dreams, that are educated, that for no reason other than war or deception did they have to leave their homes,” said Peterson.

TSOS is dedicated to sharing stories of the refugees’ journey, to advocate for them, and enable their integration.

The main goal of the archive is to preserve stories of triumph and inclusion from around the world, to help us better understand refugees and the peace they seek.

Robin Peterson, director of archives for Their Story is Our Story, cutting the ribbon for the digital archive.

“Stories are sacred, and stories have emotional heft and bring humanity to issues where statistics and facts just are not going to,” said Kristen Smith Dayley, executive director of TSOS.

Stories humanize the mass of people we see portrayed as refugees, she said.

“Stories have the power to change hearts and minds, and allow us to be more welcoming. They expand our humanity,” said Dayley.

On display at the ribbon cutting today were many photos of the faces of refugees who have already shared their stories with researchers and photographers with TSOS.

“We sit knee to knee with someone, and allow them to open their hearts and tell their story,” said Peterson.

Scholars will discover human experiences to broaden their understanding of the historical facts.

“If we understand them, we will see ourselves in them. We will tend to see them as individuals rather than numbers, rather than problems,” Dayley said.

This is the seed of the project, and they expect growth. 

For more information on accessing the refugee archives, visit www.tsosrefugees.org.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Identity theft is a multi-billion dollar crime every year in the United States - it's never been mo...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

Get Gephardt: Utah man share ID Theft warning signs he says he missed

Identity theft is a multi-billion dollar crime every year in the United States - it's never been more rampant.

1 day ago

FILE — Handcuffs in a jail cell. FILE PHOTO (Ravell Call/Deseret News)...

Michael Houck

4 men arrested for pointing rifle barrel out car window on SR-189, police say

Four men were arrested for allegedly pointing the barrel of an AR-15 at cars while driving under the influence Sunday.

1 day ago

FILE PHOTO (KSL TV)...

Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com and Andrew Adams, KSL TV

1 shot, injured by motorcyclist in possible road rage incident on I-15, troopers say

Police are searching for a person who shot at a vehicle, injuring one person, while riding a motorcycle on I-15 Monday afternoon.

1 day ago

The scene of the crash on Friday in Garden City after a semi-truck crashed into it. (KSL TV)...

Mike Anderson

After 8 semi crashes, Garden City residents are frustrated

Residents of Garden City are frustrated after a total of eight semi trucks have barreled through an intersection near Bear Lake after losing their breaks, including the most recent one Friday.

1 day ago

A man who slipped and fell into Gunlock Falls on Sunday was saved by bystanders who pulled him from...

Ladd Egan

Good Samaritans jump into action, perform CPR after man falls into Gunlock Falls

A man who slipped and fell into Gunlock Falls on Sunday was saved by bystanders who pulled him from the water and performed CPR.

1 day ago

The "Show Up" service event in Thanksgiving Point. (KSL TV)...

Shara Park

‘Show Up’ for service event encourages summer volunteering

Hundreds of Utahns gathered at Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point Monday night for the Show Up for Summer Service family fair hosted by First Lady Abby Cox.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Brunette guy in headphones playing games on his desktop computer...

PC Laptops

Looking For a New Computer? Use This Desktop Buying Guide

Choosing a new desktop computer can come with a lot of questions, so we created this desktop buying guide.

Portrait of happy boy playing and splashing water in the swimming pool...

Get Out Pass

Family Fun Activities in Utah You Have to Try This Summer

These family fun activities will entertain you all summer, so if you ever feel stuck in a rut wondering what to do, refer to this guide!

Woman IT specialist in elegant suit working on notebook computer in data center next to server rack...

Les Olson

Your Complete Guide to Outsourcing IT Services

This guide covers everything you need to know about the different benefits of outsourcing IT services to meet your small business needs.

diverse group of friends dance outside under string lights...

Lighting Design

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Read for the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting to help narrow the search for your home.

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Global refugee archive collecting the stories of the world’s displaced.