Denver Woman Puts Life On Hold To Help Refugees Fleeing Syria
DENVER (CBS4)- A young woman from Denver has put her life on hold to help refugees fleeing Syria and Afghanistan.
What began as a year-long sabbatical in Europe has turned into a mission to reunite families for Amy Shrodes.
"I'm 25. I was working my way through Europe, seeing refugees in train stations everywhere. I thought, I can't just go to India and forget about what I saw," said Shrodes.
Shrodes is in Turkey and talked to CBS4's Melissa Garcia via Skype.
In Greece, she met 17-year-old Mohamed who was living in a refugee registration camp after he was separated from his entire family.
"Mohamed, his story is incredible to me. They run through Iran, literally run by foot while people are shooting at them. And it's the lucky ones who made it to the Turkish border," said Shrodes.
She met countless others making the dangerous journey in hopes of a better life.
"It's very dangerous. I don't think people realize what's going on in Afghanistan," said Shrodes. "2015 was the bloodiest year since 2001. Anybody who ever worked for a U.S. company is getting death threats from the Taliban."
As she helps the refugees seek safety, she hopes others from home will do what they can for those suffering from war.
"If we can figure out some way to get some of them safe passage and open our hearts to them, they're in danger just as much as we are, if not more," said Shrodes.