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In 1990, the civil war in Liberia became too dangerous for the Hyneh family. Rebel forces entered their home because Moses, the father, worked in construction for the government. They seized him, dragged him outside and threatened his life. On the brink of death, Liberian soldiers entered the area and forced the rebels to shift the focus away from civilians. Moses was freed and returned to his family.
After that incident, the family immediately fled Liberia knowing that they had no other choice. They were forced to uproot the household and left for Ivory Coast.
The Hynehs arrived in the Tabou refugee camp and joined a group of persecuted people that numbered more than 35,000. They struggled with settling into this new, difficult lifestyle, but had no idea that they would end up staying in Tabou for 13 years. Moses became the pastor of a church in the camp for 7 years, and the family did its best to work with the resources that were available to them.
In 2000, the family’s oldest daughter was able to come to Minnesota, but the rest of the family remained in Ivory Coast. In 2004, the Tabou camp was engulfed by chaos. Ivory Coast was now involved in severe ethnic violence, and Moses and his family were separated. Due to the danger, Athelia and her children fled back to Liberia while Moses remained and awaited his chance to come to America. The High Commission for Refugees assisted Moses and he received his approval to come to Minnesota in May of 2004. After he had gone, Athelia and their children were forced to come back to Ivory Coast because of a second wave of danger that they faced in Liberia. By the time they arrived in Tabou, Moses had already left.
He was excited for the chance to come to America, but received tragic news in the process. Moses’ oldest daughter passed away before they could be reunited in Minnesota.
Upon entering the United States, Moses received services from the Minnesota Council of Churches. He attended Extended Orientation and Employment Orientation at MCC, and also received clothing and furniture from Mayflower Community Congregational Church. He entered an employment training program, received financial assistance and began searching for jobs. Refugee Services counselor Katie Thomas assisted him with interview skills and his knowledge of the vocational world in America. Moses had excellent English abilities, and was very dedicated to finding a job. After three months of looking, Moses received a full-time job at a Sam’s Club in St. Louis Park!
As soon as he could, Moses filed for most of his family to join him in Minnesota. Unfortunately, one son was missing could not travel to the United States as a result. Moses anxiously waited to hear of his family’s approval for over a year. He finally did receive word of their eligibility, and they came from Ivory Coast to America in April of 2006! When they arrived, they were able to take advantage of many of the same services MCC offers. In addition to Extended and Employment Orientations, the older family members enrolled in ESL classes in Minneapolis.
The Hynehs are continuing to adjust to life in a brand new place, but they are very excited to be together in a place of safety. Moses still works at Sam’s Club and has an additional job at Open Arms of America. He also gives presentations with MCC’s Refugee Speakers Bureau, which educates the Twin Cities community about issues and conflicts from around the world. Athelia is currently working part-time as a personal care assistant. All of their children are enrolled in college, high school or elementary school. In the future, Moses and Athelia dream of leading a church here in Minnesota or returning to Liberia to build a ministry.
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