As an immigrant in the United States from Rwanda with my family since April 2004, I was welcomed in the greater Portland area. Even though it was chosen by my husband who came first, I figured out that he did the right choice and I felt happy to live in this area for several reasons. 

As a newcomer, I needed help in items of first necessity like food, shelter, and healthcare. I think that in terms of assisting new people, this area uses a humane sense because they know what people need for life. Usually, we come fleeing disastrous events from our countries; we need an area like greater Portland, which makes us feel secure, building hope for the future. Most of us have been experiencing horrible fear because of seeing people arbitrarily killing others and we have been hiding in bushes without water, food, clothes. When we come here, we are looking for protection and the greater Portland’s attitude is really relieving because we feel welcomed, protected, and the first needs satisfied. 

This is so important that it constitutes the basis of the new life we are trying to build up. At the city, they do not only give us food, shelter, healthcare, but they also help us to learn English, job searching, and training in order to be able to work and see us one day self-sufficient. This is great because every human being needs to feel productive, useful, and achieving some goals. All services are offered to people with limited English. This assistance is designed to improve our stability, independence, and overall quality of life. 

As of today, all these things described above, allowed us to speak English, to raise our families, to go to school, to work, and we feel like greater Portland became our home. I encourage immigrants like myself, to respect and follow laws and other regulations, to go to school, to work hard, and participate with other residents to build up the greater Portland area keeping this spirit to help new comers to smoothly start their new life.

Laurence Musabyemariya,

SMCC Student