By Catherine Savoca
Fahizi Kilozo spent most of his life in a refugee camp in Tanzania. This year, he and his family of nine have learned to adjust to the culture in Lexington, where they are the first and only refugees out of multitudes displaced by the world’s current wars and political turmoil.
More than 60 million people have been forced to leave home, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. The United States has agreed to receive some 110,000 of these, a politically charged issue. Some feel the number is far too small in relation to the problem, while others worry that a terrorist could hide among these outsiders.
Last year, a group of volunteers around Lexington organized to receive a family. The Kilozos arrived in March, barely understanding English and carrying few possessions.
Fahizi said Lexington has been perfect for their family. Most of all he appreciates the calm, secure and helpful nature of the community.
Today, all but three of Fahizi’s youngest children are in the public schools; Jeanne Kilozo, his wife, has delivered a healthy son, their seventh child, and Fahizi is happy working three part-time jobs.
Fahizi, 32, was 12 years old when he fled the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a refugee camp in Kigoma Kasula, Tanzania he met his wife Jeanne and they had their first six children.
A speaker of Swahili, French, and native language Kibembe, Fahizi began learning English after attending weekly conversational classes.
From dishwashing at Napa Thai, to dental office cleaning, to doing a little of everything at Kroger, his jobs are what he enjoys most, he says. When asked about which one he prefers, he said he likes them all equally.
At Kroger, his primary job, Fahizi was provided with French translators by the local English Speakers of Other Languages team to learn his daily tasks, from clocking in and out to stacking the shelves. After less than two weeks of a little help, Fahizi was happily greeting customers.
“He’s definitely an asset to the store,” said Addie Holbert, Kroger’s co-manager. “We are glad to have him on our team.”
With the help of Jerry Nay, who spearheaded the Kilozo’s resettlement, the family is on its way to self-sufficiency. Nay gathered a team of 27 community members to work with the family virtually every day to make the adaptation process as smooth as possible.
Fahizi said Lexington has been perfect for their family. Most of all he appreciates the calm, secure and helpful nature of the community.
“Everyone is nice,” he said warmly. “It is better,” in comparison to their previous life in Tanzania where he worked as a gas vendor. Even there, however, was better still than a life in his native land, the Republic of the Congo, a country plagued by violence and corruption.
According to Nay, the family did not want to live in a large city. They wanted to live somewhere safe and fit for a large and growing family. The Harrisonburg branch of Church World Service, an organization that resettles refugee families in America, thus placed them in Lexington after receiving an earlier request from Nay that the city was interested in hosting a family from Syria or any country.
One fundamental aide to the family, volunteer Amanda Merrill, said the most important thing the family can do is stay ingrained with the community and build relationships.
This does not appear to be difficult for the Kilozos. Fahizi said he enjoys the company of his co-workers and church community. The family attends Randolph Street United Methodist Church every Sunday and has strong Christian beliefs.
Furthermore, in Tanzania the family was connected to a U.S.-based Christian organization called Awana. Remarkably, there happens to be an Awana branch at the Lexington Baptist Church. They attend meetings there every Wednesday.
As for the acclimation of his children, they have adapted exceptionally well to school and are making great progress. Merrill said the kids take after their father, with his positive attitude, his constant laughing, his willingness to work hard, and his analytical mind.
According to the children’s school guidance counselor, they all show up early, ready to go, and have lots of friends. And more, Fahizi’s eldest daughter, Marie, 13, has the highest grade in her math class at school.
The family’s experience thus far is what Merrill called “a great success story.” They are learning something new every day and becoming familiar with the local scene, from learning to use the Maury Express bus system to visiting Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge.
Merrill recalled one moment of cultural shock for the Kilozos. After laminating a map of Lexington bus routes, she and the family made their first outing to Walmart. Expecting something much less when he arrived, upon entering, Fahizi’s eyes grew wide in amazement at the size of the market.
For her part, Merrill said she has enjoyed experiencing a little bit of what the family is experiencing in her time with them.
“I couldn’t imagine how difficult the situation is for them,” said Merrill.
One of the biggest cultural shocks for Fahizi besides super-sized markets has been American food. He said he dislikes local cuisine, preferring to cook traditional Tanzanian meals at home.
Aside from work, Fahizi enjoys staying at home and spending time with his family. With the recent addition, newborn Emmanuel, Nay and others threw Jeanne a baby shower.
“It was a good idea and a good time,” said Fahizi, who was previously unfamiliar with this cultural celebration.
Fahizi is looking forward to experiencing an American Christmas. He has yet to see snow. ESOL volunteers have devised a Christmas list specifically for the family.