Jean’s Story, EMPP – 2023

After spending more than 26 years as a refugee in Nairobi, Kenya, Jean, a professional nurse, permanently relocated to Canada through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) in June 2023. This program 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 apply the the EMPP  and immigrate to Canada through work-based visas.

In 1996, Jean’s parents were forced to flee their home in Rwanda and sought safety in Kenya, where he was born. Jean completed his primary, secondary, and college studies in Kenya. After completing his nursing education, Jean volunteered as a nurse with Ciheb Kenya and Nairobi Metro, projects under the County Government of Nairobi. 

In 2021, Jean learned about the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) through his friend. “After submitting my application to RefugePoint, I received a call that I had been shortlisted as one of the candidates,” Jean shared with us. “RefugePoint supported me in drafting my resume and preparing for the English proficiency tests and job interviews.”. In addition to the interview preparation, RefugePoint assisted Jean with his application to Canada’s Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Department.

RefugePoint is one of the founding members of the Global Task Force on Labor Mobility, which advocates for labor mobility pathways to be refugee-centered and guided by the lived experience of individuals who have participated in these pathways. This project helps to match qualified refugees in Kenya with employers in Canada and supports them throughout the long process to allow them and their families to immigrate to their new homes.

On February 12th, 2022, Jean received a job offer as a Continuing Care Assistant at Northwood, a long-term care facility in Atlantic Canada, providing services and programs for older adults. Jean hopes to complete his training in Canada to obtain a medical license.

“I think the EMPP is important because it gives refugees a second chance,” Jean said. “Once you’re deemed a refugee, you cannot work, and you cannot be employed formally by the government or by other organizations. The EMPP gives you another chance to put your skills into practice and to achieve your goals and ambitions,” Jean shared.

“Having received my permanent residency, I think there’s much more to accomplish. I’m looking forward to greater things than I previously thought I would achieve. I hope to one day come back home and support other refugees,” Jean said.