From Despair to Hope; Dreams of a brighter future

My name is Felix*, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am married with seven children. Raising children in the civil war was truly challenging. We would move from one place to the other and back, trying to get some sense of security, but life was difficult no matter where we went. I had a sick child and getting treatment for him was next to impossible. We tried all we could but were not able to get the required treatment. In 2016, we fled to Kenya. When we got here, things were a bit calm and so my family and I felt safe and my child was able to get the treatment she needed. 

In 2017, we were introduced to RefugePoint through a fellow refugee who referred us for support. RefugePoint took up our case and helped us to access treatment for our child. My family was also provided with monthly food supplies, house rent and school fees for two of my children. We were given a grant to start a business which my wife and I used to set-up a business selling African fabric. We would sell the fabric in Nairobi and would sometimes even travel to Mombasa to sell the fabric. This enabled us to financially meet the other needs of our family. Additionally, RefugePoint put us on the path to resettlement.   

I am grateful to God that after five years of waiting, my family and I have finally been granted resettlement in the U.S. I have really high hopes for a bright future and I am hopeful that now, all my children will be able to go to school and our lives will change for the better. 

I hope my children can go to school once we are settled  and that I can get employment so as to provide for my family. My children are really hopeful and excited at the prospect of being able to go to school. I also expect us all to contribute to the local community where we are being resettled. 

I thank God for keeping us safe during our years back in Congo despite the challenges we experienced, and for bringing us safely into Kenya. We are very grateful to RefugePoint for their support during the most difficult time of our lives. 

*Pseudonym 

Above is a picture of different refugee families being taken through the resettlement interview process by RefugePoint Staff. ©RefugePoint/Diana Karua