In 1992, Claude Nsengiyumva was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 1996, at 4 years old, Claude and his family fled from genocidal rebel groups in the war-torn Eastern DRC to Rwanda.
Claude and his family lived in Gihembe refugee camp for 20 years. The family refers to this as the ‘Struggle Times’.
In October 2016 Claude was finally accepted for resettlement and immigrated to Portland, Oregon with his mother, Clotilde, his brother Fiston, and his two sisters Aline and Lillianne.
For two and a half years, Claude worked and provided consistent income for his family. For his whole life, Claude has been the primary source of joy, humor and laughter in their home.
On June 9, 2019 - Claude was attacked in Gresham, Oregon.
Claude was immediately admitted to the NeuroTrauma ICU. He has undergone six brain surgeries, has fought off a lung infection and has miraculously awoken from a two-week coma.
Mama Paci kept six children safe - first in war-torn Congo, and then for over two decades in refugee camps. When she got her children to America she described feeling that she could breathe again for the first time in three decades.
While we will never understand the cruelty this family has known, particularly this gravest recent tragedy dealt in America, we know firsthand the profound kindness of their Rwandan refugee community here in Portland. A community that has grocery shopped for the family, provided countless rides to and from the hospital, has slept overnight with Claude - allowing Claude’s family relief to sleep, a community that has offered belly laughs in the hospital waiting room when we all feel on the verge of tears.
It's our hope that our American community can show this family a similar kindness.
Current and future medical bills, the loss of a primary source of income, the long and intensive recovery and rehabilitation that Claude will require are far beyond the means of this family. Along with losing Claude’s income, Mama Paci has taken leave from work in order to be Claude’s full time caretaker. Fiston has become the family’s full-time advocate and interpreter. Aline’s work as a hotel housekeeper is now the family’s only income.
Please give whatever you can - every bit helps. Murakoze. Turi Kumwe.
In 1996, at 4 years old, Claude and his family fled from genocidal rebel groups in the war-torn Eastern DRC to Rwanda.
Claude and his family lived in Gihembe refugee camp for 20 years. The family refers to this as the ‘Struggle Times’.
In October 2016 Claude was finally accepted for resettlement and immigrated to Portland, Oregon with his mother, Clotilde, his brother Fiston, and his two sisters Aline and Lillianne.
For two and a half years, Claude worked and provided consistent income for his family. For his whole life, Claude has been the primary source of joy, humor and laughter in their home.
On June 9, 2019 - Claude was attacked in Gresham, Oregon.
Claude was immediately admitted to the NeuroTrauma ICU. He has undergone six brain surgeries, has fought off a lung infection and has miraculously awoken from a two-week coma.
Mama Paci kept six children safe - first in war-torn Congo, and then for over two decades in refugee camps. When she got her children to America she described feeling that she could breathe again for the first time in three decades.
While we will never understand the cruelty this family has known, particularly this gravest recent tragedy dealt in America, we know firsthand the profound kindness of their Rwandan refugee community here in Portland. A community that has grocery shopped for the family, provided countless rides to and from the hospital, has slept overnight with Claude - allowing Claude’s family relief to sleep, a community that has offered belly laughs in the hospital waiting room when we all feel on the verge of tears.
It's our hope that our American community can show this family a similar kindness.
Current and future medical bills, the loss of a primary source of income, the long and intensive recovery and rehabilitation that Claude will require are far beyond the means of this family. Along with losing Claude’s income, Mama Paci has taken leave from work in order to be Claude’s full time caretaker. Fiston has become the family’s full-time advocate and interpreter. Aline’s work as a hotel housekeeper is now the family’s only income.
Please give whatever you can - every bit helps. Murakoze. Turi Kumwe.
Organizer and beneficiary
Caitlin Van Patten
Organizer
Portland, OR
Clotilde Dusabe
Beneficiary