From an early age, Daudi discovered his calling to serve others while caring for his elderly grandmother in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This passion blossomed into a commitment to aid those with medical needs, leading him to pursue higher education in public health. Daudi set himself up for a promising career after graduating in 2012 from the Advanced Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) with degrees in Public Health and Nursing Science.
However, in 2014, a week before he was to report to his first job as a Hospital Manager, rebels attacked Daudi’s village in Uvira, South Kivu. He had to flee for his life and abruptly left behind his parents and siblings. Daudi escaped torture and persecution during his flight and arrived in Nairobi in October 2014. A local pastor in Nairobi offered him shelter and basic needs, and he later registered with UNHCR as an asylum seeker.
Despite facing numerous challenges in Nairobi, such as insecurity and limited resources, Daudi found solace and support through counseling provided by the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), a non-governmental organization working with refugees. He learned how to overcome challenges, cope with new situations, and find rational ways to manage day-to-day stress in life.
While living in Nairobi, Daudi began working as a nurse for Sudi Medical Clinic, Mercy Mission Medical Center, and Medben Health Services. Due to restrictions on refugee employment in Kenya, he could only secure temporary positions with low wages. Undeterred, he continued to pursue educational opportunities, including training in emergency maternal care and infectious diseases.
In 2018, one of his CVT counselors told him about the Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot (EMPP), a Canadian pathway that helps skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs. Canada’s Economic Mobility Project connects refugees to job opportunities that allow them to relocate to a safe, new country. RefugePoint partners with the Government of Canada, UNHCR, and Talent Beyond Boundaries to help qualified refugees living in Kenya to immigrate to Canada through work-based visas.
Daudi remembers receiving an email from one of his CVT counselors with the Call for Application from RefugePoint. He submitted his application and was called for the first interview with a potential employer shortly after. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful because of challenges with English fluency. This only made him more determined in his career. RefugePoint supported Daudi in taking the IELTS test and practicing language skills during the interview. He also studied English with a local teacher. When the next round of interviews came around in 2020, he was prepared to present himself to potential employers.
On November 15, 2021, Daudi received a job offer to join MacLeod Cares, a trusted name in retirement living and senior care in Nova Scotia, Canada. “I am very happy that this program is a hope for us refugees. It is a hope for us refugees to go and start working in Canada. It is an opportunity to have what we call a self-reliant life,” Daudi shared during a visit to RefugePoint’s Nairobi office.
Inspired by his journey, Daudi authored a book titled “The Virtue of EMPP 2023: Nine Merits of Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot,” detailing his experiences and the transformative impact of the program. Daudi and his wife, Junitha, both refugees from the DRC, eagerly anticipate building a new life in Canada, confident in their ability to integrate, pursue further education, and contribute to their new community and the global economy.
[Refugees are not a homogenous group, and come from a wide range of backgrounds, so taking on refugee interns or staff can hugely increase the diversity of your business. Drawing from this wide range of candidates from all over the world can greatly help diversify thinking and skill sets within your business, leading to vastly improved innovation and growth.] excerpt from Daudi’s book, The Virtue of EMPP 2023: Nine Merits of Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot, Pg. 14.