About Us
An Idea
Raza, intrigued by economics and politics since middle school, was keen to share his passion as he entered high school. He saw an opportunity to educate his peers, particularly those new to high school who might not fully appreciate these subjects' impact. Raza aimed to demystify economics and politics, making them relatable and engaging for young learners. His plan included using real-life examples to illustrate complex concepts, encouraging active participation, and fostering a deeper understanding of how these fields influence daily life. His approach was not just to inform but to inspire curiosity and critical thinking among his classmates.
Working with Refugees
As Raza's family moved to the United States and settled in Chicago years before, he became aware of the immigrant and refugee communities in the city. Inspired by their resilience, he decided to teach refugee children about economics and politics, aiming to empower them with knowledge and skills vital for their new lives.
FORA
To achieve his goal, Raza collaborated with Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA), where he established a volunteer program focused on high-intensity tutoring. He designed a curriculum to teach refugee children about economics and politics, incorporating influential research such as James Heckman's studies on early childhood education and its long-term impacts. This curriculum aimed to provide these children with a strong foundation in these critical subjects.
Economic Borders
As more tutors joined FORA, Raza's vision expanded. He sought to further spread awareness about the importance of understanding economics and politics. To achieve this, he initiated 'Economic Borders', a program dedicated to educating a broader audience on these crucial topics. This initiative aimed to reach beyond the refugee communities, fostering a wider understanding and appreciation of how economics and politics shape our world.
Future
Through Economic Borders, Raza is now actively lobbying the Illinois State Congress and the Federal Congress. His goal is to secure more educational resources for refugees, focusing particularly on economics and politics. Simultaneously, he is conducting research on economic disparities, aiming to use his findings to advocate for policies that address these issues and improve educational opportunities for refugee communities.