Please join Mohamad Radwan Kalaaji for a presentation on Syria’s rich history, the current conflict, and his hopes for the future. Radwan Kalaaji was born in eastern Aleppo, Syria in 1955. He was raised by an essentially illiterate mother, yet he and all of his siblings became college graduates. Radwan graduated in 1977 with a degree in civil engineering from Aleppo University. Radwan taught engineering at Aleppo University for six years, and became eligible for a PhD in civil engineering/water resources in the United States. He relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota with his family in 1983. He then came to Fort Collins where he earned a masters in civil engineering at CSU. His years in Fort Collins made him appreciate the freedoms offered here. He decided to stay in the United States and raise his six children in Fort Collins. In 1998, he became a citizen. He taught Arabic at the AIMS and Front Range community colleges for several years, but is now retired. While many members of Radwan’s family still reside in Aleppo, his mother-in-law now lives with the Kalaaji family. Five years ago, after losing her husband, her home, and most of her belongings, she escaped the tragedy in Aleppo, Syria. Her story, along with countless others, has become a driving force in Radwan’s mission to spread awareness about the conflict in Syria. In 2016 Radwan helped establish a new student club at CSU, “Rams for Refugees.” The organization has held many events centered around the Syrian conflict. Radwan and his family, along with Rams for Refugees, have held two fundraisers in Fort Collins by cooking dinner for approximately 100 guests, and raising up to $5000 at each event. All of the proceeds aided Syrian refugees around the world. Radwan will be holding another fundraising dinner on September 29 at 6pm at the Heart of the Rockies Church. Please join us for this presentation at the Main Library in Downtown Fort Collins on Tuesday September 11, 2018 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM and at the Harmony Library Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.