New Life for the Bigazo Family
Donation protected
After fleeing violence and civil war in their homeland for over 10 years, Lawrence, Euphemie and their children have finally found safety and freedom in Wilmington, NC (thanks to assistance from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and Interfaith Refugee Ministry). The hardships don't stop here though-- refugees have to pay back their airfare to resettle. With a family of 5, this costs more than $5800. Even with both parents working full-time jobs, and Lawrence trying to find a second part-time job, finances can be stressful. If you have the means, please consider donating toward a fund to help get this family on their feet in their new life in Wilmington!
These two girls fled a guerilla attack at night, by foot from the Congo to Kenya at 5 and 7 years old (see their father's account below). They're still young though, 11 & 12 years old, so lets see if we can raise enough money to treat them to some wonderful childhood memories before it's too late.
Refugee Voices: By Lawrence Bigazo
My family originally came from the Congo, and lived in Kenya as a transit country for six years before moving to Wilmington in November 2016. There was a civil war in our village in the Congo that started in 1996, and continues today. The last time I visited my village in the Congo was on January 22, 2010 when we were attacked at night by a neighboring militia known as “Mai Mai.” They burned our villages, killed and raped our people, and stole our cattle—destroying our homes and destroying our villages. My family was divided that night as we fled by foot to Kenya for safety. I was luckily reunited with 2 young daughters and wife in Nairobi. Some people returned to the village, but we did think it was safe to move back to our village with our children.
Life was very harsh trying to survive in Kenya, especially with three children under 12 years old. It was very very difficult to survive. We worked for our daily bread, and often did not get it. Thanks to Interfaith Refugee Ministry Wilmington, we now live together as a family, safe, in the United States. We did not choose to live in Wilmington, but the United Nations High Commission for Refugees resettled my family here. Luckily, there have been many people in the community here to help care for us. They helped my wife and I find full-time jobs within less than 2 months living in Wilmington. Our children also receive a good education here, which is something we dreamed of for years while fleeing war and looking for safety in Kenya. It feels good to have the opportunity to work for a living, and to contribute taxes that put our children through public schools. Our children are also very well integrated in our new church in Wilmington.
The refugee resettlement program in the United States provides very important humanitarian aid to families like mine from all over the world. If I cannot be reunited in the United States with my two missing sons from that night in 2010, I will be very very sad. We are grateful to be admitted in the United States through the refugee resettlement program, and love being active members in the Wilmington community.
These two girls fled a guerilla attack at night, by foot from the Congo to Kenya at 5 and 7 years old (see their father's account below). They're still young though, 11 & 12 years old, so lets see if we can raise enough money to treat them to some wonderful childhood memories before it's too late.
Refugee Voices: By Lawrence Bigazo
My family originally came from the Congo, and lived in Kenya as a transit country for six years before moving to Wilmington in November 2016. There was a civil war in our village in the Congo that started in 1996, and continues today. The last time I visited my village in the Congo was on January 22, 2010 when we were attacked at night by a neighboring militia known as “Mai Mai.” They burned our villages, killed and raped our people, and stole our cattle—destroying our homes and destroying our villages. My family was divided that night as we fled by foot to Kenya for safety. I was luckily reunited with 2 young daughters and wife in Nairobi. Some people returned to the village, but we did think it was safe to move back to our village with our children.
Life was very harsh trying to survive in Kenya, especially with three children under 12 years old. It was very very difficult to survive. We worked for our daily bread, and often did not get it. Thanks to Interfaith Refugee Ministry Wilmington, we now live together as a family, safe, in the United States. We did not choose to live in Wilmington, but the United Nations High Commission for Refugees resettled my family here. Luckily, there have been many people in the community here to help care for us. They helped my wife and I find full-time jobs within less than 2 months living in Wilmington. Our children also receive a good education here, which is something we dreamed of for years while fleeing war and looking for safety in Kenya. It feels good to have the opportunity to work for a living, and to contribute taxes that put our children through public schools. Our children are also very well integrated in our new church in Wilmington.
The refugee resettlement program in the United States provides very important humanitarian aid to families like mine from all over the world. If I cannot be reunited in the United States with my two missing sons from that night in 2010, I will be very very sad. We are grateful to be admitted in the United States through the refugee resettlement program, and love being active members in the Wilmington community.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathryn Polk
Organizer
Wilmington, NC
Lawrence Bigazo
Beneficiary
