“At least I will become a light to my family, community, and everyone. If I tell you what the Economic Mobility Pathway means, it means life to us,” said Mark, a 27-year-old refugee from South Sudan.
In the 1980s, Mark’s parents fled to Kenya, escaping the civil war in Sudan, and found refuge in Nairobi. Mark was born in Nairobi and completed his primary and secondary education in Kenya. Unfortunately, his family faced financial challenges during Kenya’s post-election violence in 2007. Mark’s parents moved back to Sudan and left him and his little brother behind in the care of Catholic sisters at a local orphanage to finish their primary and high school education.
Mark has always been passionate about medicine, and after completing his secondary education, he enrolled to pursue higher education in Nursing at the Kenya School of Medical Science. After his studies, he was recruited as an intern at Gatundu District Hospital, where he was offered his first job. However, Mark lost the contract since refugees were not legally allowed to take up proper jobs in Kenya. Still, Mark was determined and optimistic that things would work out for him and his little brother.
During a referral to Nairobi West Hospital, Mark heard about RefugePoint from a fellow South Sudanese, Agnes, who told him about the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. She advised Mark to apply for a job opportunity in Nursing.
Mark was optimistic and believed this was his chance to start a new life with his family. He applied to the call for applications. After RefugePoint submitted his application to potential employers in Canada, he received a call from Northwood Facility, a long-term care facility based in Nova Scotia.
Mark received a job offer from Northwood to join the team as a Continuing Care Assistant in Nursing Services. Mark hopes his future will be full of light and reconnection with his family back in Kenya and South Sudan.
“I am industrious and punctual,” said Mark. “You don’t need to monitor [me]. Just show me, train me on what I’m supposed to do, and I’m going to do my best,” said Mark.
“The Economic Mobility Program has changed my life in a thousand ways,” said Mark. “It has changed my life to be a meaningful life.”