Success stories - Jemimah: Finding safety in Canada

June 2011

Jemimah Kabagenyi was a high school student in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, when war forced her and her family to go into hiding in 2003. She was separated from her parents and fled to a United Nations refugee camp in neighbouring Uganda. After five years, she was told she could move to Canada as a government-assisted refugee.

Jemimah arrived in Canada in May 2008 and was received by Welcome House Vancouver, which provides temporary accommodation for refugees. She remembers feeling overwhelmed upon her arrival and how the Welcome House staff assisted with the many details of her resettlement, including enrolling her in English classes and helping her to find a place to live.

After learning English, Jemimah began to volunteer with resettlement agencies where she was able to provide translation services in French, English and several African languages. “I know eight languages now,” she says, “and it would be selfish not to share my skills.”  Shortly after her arrival, Jemimah began volunteering in the community and working various part-time retail jobs.

In 2010, Jemimah was hired by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as a YMCA Federal Public Sector Youth Intern, where part of her duties includes taking pictures for new permanent resident cards. At CIC, Jemimah enjoys working with the public, including other refugees, where she can develop new skills and continue to perfect her English. She says her co-workers have become like a family to her and she loves helping clients from all over the world.

In the future, Jemimah would like to return to school to study social work. “People have helped me so much along my journey, and I plan to continue to give back wherever I can.”

Did you know that Canada annually resettles 11% or one out of every nine refugees resettled globally?