Interview with Bandushurbwenge Vanisa, April 9, 2015

Interview Summary

Bandushubwenge Vanisa, who became a refugee at age seven because of war in her home country of Burundi, walked to a UNICEF supported camp in Kibondo district in Kigoma Province in Tanzania. At age 21 in 2007 she came with her husband and two and a half year old son as a refugee to Chicago. She describes the tough time in Chicago trying to find a job, learning English (she already spoke her own language Kirundi, as well as Swahili, and French), and understanding that one has to be pay for everything. Her first job was in housekeeping at the airport Hilton Hotel. In 2009 the family moved to Louisville to be in a smaller city with a larger Burundian community. In 2015 Bandushubwenge is a divorced mother of two boys and two girls ages two to ten. She is currently a certified nursing assistant as well as a student at Jefferson Community and Technical College pursuing a nursing degree. She explains clearly African and American cultural differences such as the concept of time and gender roles. An American citizen, she is raising her children as Americans who will appreciate their mother's culture as well.

Interview Keyword

Burundi Chicago, Illinois Cultural differences Kibondo District Kigoma Province Kirundi Languages Louisville (Ky.) Refugee camps Ruyigi, Burundi UNHCR UNICEF

Interview LC Subject

Tanzania

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Interview Usage

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