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#RefugeesofTLH | Amnazo


Meet Amnazo

My name is Amnazo Kibangura. I was born in Congo. When I was 9 years old, I fled with my family when war broke out there. A refugee camp in Tanzania became the place we stayed for the next 20 years, but I wanted to go back home to Congo. Our struggles were many in the camp. Two of my siblings died. There were not many jobs and starvation was common. Soap donations were given to us, which we were able to trade for extra food. We were also able to find work here and there on farms, but it was not consistent. The money we made was used to buy fish and flour, but it was never enough. We often had to look for cassava to manually grind into flour for food. It is not common here in Tallahassee, but it is like a sweet potato. Cassava is what kept us from starving.

For shelter, we were given tents to live in. In Tanzania, the nights were cold. We had a few blankets to keep warm, but we had to make fires in our tents for heat. There was no way for all the smoke to get out. There was also not much room in our tents and the blankets would sometimes catch fire. I was burned one night when my blanket caught fire. If it were not for the person I was sharing the blanket with, these scars on my wrist could have been much worse.

While living in the refugee camp, I always kept thinking I would be able to go back to Congo, but it was never safe. Then one day, I found my name on a list for people going to America. I became worried as I thought my pregnancy would prevent me from being able to go. After a lot of questioning and a medical exam, I was relieved to find out my pregnancy was not an issue. Before leaving for the United States, I also had to explain why I was in Kigoma. Kigoma was the town in Tanzania where I lived. I had to answer many questions and things before they told me I was allowed to go to America. When I found out I was going to Tallahassee in Florida, I felt good because I knew Florida had a warm climate and I like that. I arrived in August of 2016, with my then 4 children. Now that I am here, I don’t know if I will ever see my family again. My father is very sick. I don’t know about my mother or my brothers and sisters. I know they have children now. I hope I will see them again.

My name means, “We have nothing.” This is not who I am. I have suffered, but I have found peace because of God. I am excited to come out of my suffering to a more hopeful place. I am looking for work. It is hard because I have so many little children, but people are helping me to find childcare. The people I know in Tallahassee have been supportive to me. One day very soon I will work and make money to support my family. I will learn to drive and take my kids places. I am looking forward to the future I want to make for my 5 children. They already have a better life here. My baby gives me hope too. He was born here and is an American. He has not known suffering like I have. We all have a good life in Tallahassee and I am grateful.

Donations for this family will go towards things like an Oxford Picture Dictionary ($25), a white board and dry erase markers (for English learning and school) ($50), Office Suite for PC ($125), Nursery gift certificate for garden supplies and seed ($275), bike and ride along for kids ($350), Internet for 9 months ($500), a laptop ($900). Extra will go toward rent, family vehicle, medical, computer lessons.


We are pleased to partner with Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) in this effort. In addition to connecting support services and resources to our families, ECHO has committed its stewardship, accountability, and transparency to accept charitable contributions and donations on our behalf as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.


Organizer and beneficiary

Alex Workman
Organizer
Tallahassee, FL
ECHO Outreach Ministries
Beneficiary

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