By: Pooja Klebig

In a world where armed conflicts often divide families and disasters can tear loved ones apart, Ola Alani stands as a beacon of hope. As a Restoring Family Links (RFL) volunteer with the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, Ola’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of a childhood dream. 
 

Born and raised in Iraq, Ola grew up against the tumultuous backdrop of war and conflict. The Red Cross, with its reputation for compassion and assistance, had always held a special place in her heart as she had seen the emblem in action many times growing up. She had a lifelong desire to play a part in the organization. When she moved to the United States and graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 2015, her dream was finally realized when she embarked on her Red Cross journey as a volunteer. “Getting to volunteer with an organization I had highly regarded was a childhood dream come true for me!” shared Ola.  
 

As a researcher at the Stanford Center for Innovation and Global Health and an active volunteer and board member for multiple refugee organizations, volunteering with the Red Cross was an opportunity to merge her personal experiences, academic pursuits, and professional expertise. Ola’s passion for helping displaced populations, immigrants, and asylum seekers found a perfect synergy as a volunteer caseworker with the Red Cross Restoring Family Links (RFL) program. This Red Cross and Red Crescent program was implemented in 1870 to help families understand the whereabouts of soldiers during the Franco-Prussian War. Today, the excitement of being able to find a loved one and deliver that message of reunification is what keeps Ola going. 
 

As a caseworker, she helps piece together information to reconnect families separated by armed conflict or disasters. Despite the time it may take to successfully complete a case, Ola reflects, “I’m able to play a small but meaningful role where a family member can talk to and lean on me for comfort and hope. I just am grateful to be there for them when they need it the most.”  
 

Being uniquely equipped to understand the challenges faced by those seeking to reconnect, Ola shared, “This is a tight knit [refugee] community and I understand the universal feeling of anxiety and hope that families separated by war and conflict go through. Being an RFL volunteer gives me a sense of kinship.”  
 

Ola’s childhood journey and passion continue to provide connection today. In the face of conflict and disaster, volunteers like Ola ensure there is always room for hope. Thank you, Ola!