Kiza and Floriani are a mother and son who just completed our Refugee Adult Job Training Program. Together, they learned how to work in a commercial kitchen, read and follow recipes, and understand the cultural expectations of working a job in the US. They were extremely hardworking, always on time, and diligent about helping each other practice English.
One of six children, Kiza grew up in DR Congo and her happiest memories were of going to school with her friends. In 1999, one year into the Second Congo War (an enormous conflict that killed 5.4M people and displaced 2M), Kiza fled to Tanzania. That’s where Floriani and three other children were born.
Floriani lived his first 20 years in a refugee camp where he went to school, played soccer, and learned to play the guitar and sing. He identifies as being from Tanzania. On July 1, 2024, Kiza and her children were resettled to Providence, RI. To them, the US represents a country of opportunity where Floriani can go to school, Kiza can get a job, and both can walk around safely outside.
In Kiza’s own words, “Beautiful Day is very friendly. They teach English and pay us to learn how to work at a job in America.” At their graduation ceremony, Floriani sang songs in Swahili and played the guitar while Kiza smiled on proudly.
