Manu lived in Bamenda, Cameroon. He owned a successful electronics store there and often traveled to India, Italy and China for his business. Manu married his wife Sarah and together they raised three children. Sarah was a secondary school teacher and the Kintali family thoroughly enjoyed their lives in Bamenda. They only had one problem; they opposed the corrupt government of Cameroon.
“Cameroon has a very bad government that doesn’t care about its citizens. They hunt down and kill anyone who opposes.” They came for Manu.
Left with no other choice, Manu had to escape. He contacted a friend in Minnesota and fled the country. After he left, the government punished his wife for his departure. They captured his wife and imprisoned her. Manu was helpless.
Upon arriving in the United States, he filed for political asylum and entered a period of waiting. During the approval process, asylum seekers are not allowed to work. Manu stayed in the cities, spoke to his wife (who was later released from prison) and listened for the news of his case.
A year later, Manu received his wish! He was granted asylum and a new level of freedom. He received a list of organizations that could help him based on his asylee status, and began working with Refugee Services shortly thereafter. He filed for his wife and children to join him in the United States, and started work with employment counselor Mike Zaslofsky. They immediately began the search for a position.
Mike and Manu started practicing interviews and applying for jobs. “Without Mike, I wouldn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what Americans want from an employee. He gave me guidelines.”
The two searched for a few months before the perfect opportunity came along. Manu received an offer from Comcast to work as a Cable installation technician! He remained at that position for years before he began work at Laidlaw as a transportation driver.
In 2005, Manu’s three children were granted visas to come to America! Sarah ran into a snag with her application and was forced to remain behind. She had to wait two more years, but joined the family in early 2008! The family couldn’t be happier to be together.
As they talk of the future and their dreams, it is clear that many of their hopes remain in Africa. “Cameroon is a rich country, we are not poor. The government is keeping it all for themselves. People die every day, mostly from hunger. They will rob and kill just so that they will have food. People will do anything.”
The Kintali family hopes that one day their lives, friends and family will be restored in their native country. Here in America, Manu wanted to express a truth that all Americans should hear. “America is really, really nice. People do not know that they are blessed in America.”
* The name of the client has been changed for the sake of privacy
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