Finding Calm, Connection, and Purpose Sasha Bosic, 22 International Relations Major I am a crochet volunteer for the Loops of Hope Club, even though my major is international relations, I still have a strong passion for creating art. I am orginally from Sarjevo, Bosnia and am in my last year at AUR. Volunteer Club Experience Crocheting with Loop of Hope became my escape from academic stress. When I sit down with yarn and a hook, the noise of exams, assignments, and deadlines fades away. Crocheting isn’t just relaxing, it’s grounding. It gives me space to breathe, reflect, and feel connected to the people around me. Knowing that what I’m creating will help support refugee education gives every stitch meaning. Through crochet, I found community, mindfulness, and purpose. It reminds me that creativity can heal, connect, and empower not just myself, but others too. “I believe in taking breaks to enjoy the small pleasures in life, especially when it is to help others!” (-Sasha Bosic)
More Than A Purchase
More Than a Purchase Alessandra Bussata, 33 My name is Alessandra, and I am a Roman resident, orginally from Vicenza. I am also a marketing professor at AUR. I had been looking to buying a meaningful plushie for my niece, in which I saw Loops of Hope selling products on our AUR campus. Product Review When I purchased a Loop of Hope crochet product, I didn’t expect how emotional the experience would be. The quality of the product was excellent and carefully made, durable, and clearly crafted with care. What stood out most was the customer service. The volunteers were kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the mission. Knowing my purchase directly supported refugee education made it feel meaningful, not transactional. Buying from Loop of Hope felt like contributing to something bigger. It wasn’t just a product, it was a statement of support, compassion, and shared humanity. “You can buy anything for anywhere, but not everything has a meaningful story connected with it, that why I choose Loops of Hope.” (-Alessandra Bussata)
Someone Believed In Me
Someone Believed in Me Ali Al-Mustafa, 17 My name is Ali and I am in my last year of highschool. I first came to Italy when I was 13, leaving my beautiful home in Damascus, Syria. Being in Rome has been an adjustment beyond belief, but with proper guidence I have found my path slowly. Refugee Support Education has always been important to me, but after displacement, it felt fragile. Financial stress made learning harder, and sometimes it felt like giving up would be easier. The support I received through Loops of Hope changed everything. Having the tools I needed allowed me to focus on my studies and plan for my future. I’m now continuing my education with clear goals and renewed hope. Knowing that students and volunteers cared enough to support me reminded me that I am not alone. Loop of Hope helped me believe in myself again. “Life has taught me to be proud of who I have evolved into, and my education is something I give great credit to.” (-Ali Al-Mustafa)
Education Gave Me My Future
Education Gave Me My Future Amna Al-Nur, 18 My name is Amna and I have just graduated highschool here in Rome. I first came to Rome when I was 12 years old as a refugee from Sudan. It has been a long journey, but I’m glad to have meet the Loops of Hope community. Refugee Support Before receiving support through Loop of Hope, continuing my education felt uncertain. School supplies were a constant worry, and it was difficult to focus when resources were limited. Because of the support I received, I was able to stay in school and keep moving forward. Today, I’m proud to say I was accepted into college. Loop of Hope didn’t just give me notebooks or supplies, it gave me confidence, stability, and the belief that my future mattered. I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make that possible. “It is not just from the donations I’ve received to keep pursing my education, but also the strong community encouragement from the AUR students.” (-Amna Al-Nur)
From the Table to the Real World
From the Table to the Real World Thomas Vargues, 21 Business Major My name is Thomas and I am a second year at AUR, I am American but my parents are from South India. I have a big passion for sales and through the Hoops of Hope Clube I can do both sales and volunteer work. Sales Volunteering Working at Loop of Hope sales tables gave me more than volunteer hours, it gave me real experience. I learned how to communicate our mission clearly, interact with customers, and manage sales responsibly. Explaining how each purchase supports refugee education makes every interaction feel important. I gained confidence, teamwork skills, and insight into how social enterprises operate in real life. This experience strengthened my CV, but more importantly, it showed me how business can be driven by purpose. Selling for Loop of Hope taught me that impact and professionalism can go hand in hand. ‘Everything can be an opportunity, some are just more meaningful then others.’ (-Thomas Vargues)
Why I Joined Loops of Hope
Why I Joined Loops of Hope Elena Garcia, 20 AUR Business Major My name is Elena and I am a commited volunteer for Loops of Hope. I am currently in my Sophmore year at AUR and am orginally from Columbia. Volunteer Club Experience When I first joined Loop of Hope, I was looking for a club that felt meaningful, something beyond lectures, deadlines, and exams. What I found was a community driven by compassion, creativity, and purpose. Being part of a student-led initiative that supports refugee education has changed how I view my role at university. Every meeting, every stitch, and every conversation reminds me that students can make real change when they work together. Loop of Hope isn’t just about crocheting or fundraising. It’s about belonging. It’s about using our time and skills to support both AUR students and refugee students working toward brighter futures. Being part of this club has shown me that even small actions, when done collectively, can create lasting impact. “I want to connect not just with my AUR community, but also my local communities.” (-Elena Garcia)