For greater than 20 years, he lived and labored in Mozambique, however the transfer wouldn’t be Mr. Songolo’s final. A number of years in the past, he mentioned, the federal government of Mozambique falsely accused a bunch of individuals, together with him, of stealing drugs and gear from a hospital. Regardless of a courtroom ruling within the group’s favor, the officers unsuccessfully tried to deport them again to Congo. Mr. Songolo mentioned that the United Nations refugee company heard in regards to the case and obtained concerned, serving to him relocate to Arizona this 12 months, alongside along with his spouse and 5 kids.
As earlier than, Mr. Songolo had few assets to ease the transition. “I couldn’t even handle paying for a telephone,” he mentioned.
However this time, Mr. Songolo didn’t courageous it alone. In the USA, the Worldwide Rescue Committee works with new refugees to make it possible for they’ve the assets to turn into self-sufficient quickly after their arrival. America admits a restricted variety of individuals as refugees yearly, and nonprofit teams ease their transition.
Moderately than face the streets as he did in Tanzania, Mr. Songolo and his household discovered an house with the assistance of the International Rescue Committee, which paid for the household’s hire and utilities for one month, totaling an estimated $2,000. The Worldwide Rescue Committee is likely one of the organizations supported this 12 months by The New York Times Communities Fund.
Mr. Songolo shortly regained his footing. Inside a couple of months, he discovered work at a furnishings firm as a carpenter, constructing cabinets, tables and TV stands. The Worldwide Rescue Committee enrolled his three eldest kids at school and supplied them language help. Thus far, he mentioned, they’ve relished the brand new expertise, utilizing a pc for the primary time and experiencing the fun of swiping via an iPad.
Mr. Songolo nonetheless will get flashbacks. And he misses the sense of neighborhood he usually felt again house, the place he would drop by pals’ homes unannounced and choose meals from farms when he was hungry. However the challenges are properly value it, he mentioned, for the alternatives for his kids. Not like him, they’ll be capable to graduate from highschool. “They’re beginning to get pleasure from life right here, particularly due to the schooling,” Mr. Songolo mentioned. “I’m grateful to God as a result of they’re progressing properly and I do know their efforts will repay.”
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