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May 7, 2010
Ref-Nyota opens doors
Refugees find a way to contribute to community.
REBECA KUROPATWA
Last month, Serge Kaptegaine launched Ref-Nyota at Winnipeg’s Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain. Ref-Nyota (which means Refugee Stars in Swahili) is a new skills marketing service formed to give refugees a renewed sense of self-worth and a way to contribute to their community. The organization introduces refugees’ products, services and creative strengths to potential employers, enabling the refugee community to fully engage in the Canadian workforce.
Last fall, Carly Sloshower conducted research, in which, she told the Independent, she learned of the difficulties newcomers have finding employment that adequately corresponds to their needs, talents, education and previous experience. A recent graduate of the University of Winnipeg, Sloshower was impressed with Kaptegaine’s ideas for opening doors for newcomers. She was particularly intrigued by how effectively the service responds to the gap between experience and employment needs. While at U of W, Sloshower was an active member of the Jewish Student Association/Hillel’s social action committee.
“Ref-Nyota provides that missing link for newcomers who are finding it very difficult to get a place in our economy,” said Slowshower. “This is happening for many reasons – barriers they face, and how our economy is set up. But they have a lot of talent and skill to offer.”
Hart Peikoff, too, was impressed when he came across Kaptegaine and Ref-Nyota. “This is a very exciting concept, one of empowerment to newcomers,” something, he said, that could possibly be replicated for aboriginal communities. Peikoff, a Jewish writer, activist and addictions volunteer, said of Kaptegaine, “He’s a solid man and is so real with everyone – doing a great thing for newcomers, himself and Canada. His message is that life is really simple – it’s about love, having hope and something to do.”
Kaptegaine was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and came to Canada in 2005, after having survived life-threatening experiences and witnessing the atrocities of war. In spite of these experiences, Kaptegaine manages to focus on the positive possibilities of the future and has made it his mission to educate Canadians about the reality of being a refugee.
“No one is born into a destiny of death in war. We’re all born into destinies of freedom, success, happiness, bettering humanity and being present for each other,” he said.
Today, Kaptegaine works as a French-language teacher. He founded Hand in Hand for Peace in 2005 and Ref-Nyota this year.
Some of the niche services Ref-Nyota offers include French language instruction, translation and interpreter services, tailoring, cooking classes and music, entertainment and educational workshops.
Refugees have many skills to offer to the Canadian community, Kaptegaine believes. “They don’t want to be given jobs out of compassion, but because Canadians trust that they have something valuable to contribute. Trust us. Accept us. This concept means replacing the welfare approach to helping refugees with one of investing in them and their skills to bring them into the mainstream market economy. It’s a modern and fresh approach that views everyone as a potential wealth creator and invests in their human capital,” he said.
Among the dignitaries at the ribbon cutting was Manitoba Liberal leader Jon Gerrard. “I’ve always been impressed by the incredible desire, tenacity and talent of refugees,” said Gerrard. “They persist, struggle, and often outdo their peers who have grown up with all the advantages of living here. That’s the determination and incredible contributions of refugees.”
A multi-cultural ribbon cutting with Ref-Nyota representatives followed, as did a meet-and-greet with Ref-Nyota vendors, and the tasting of traditional African hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
For information on Ref-Nyota, visit refnyota.com.
Rebeca Kuropatwa is a Winnipeg freelance writer.
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