People & Paws > Interviews > John Buleke
 
John Buleke
Congolese Immigrant
 

"I came to this country from the Democratic Republic of Congo about a year and two months ago with my wife and three children. I left Congo because the war broke out, and we fled to other countries. The US government issued me an immigration visa, allowing me to come here and get settled.

The transition has been more difficult than I imagined, especially with a family. Providing the means for surviving and finding a job that pays enough to cover the cost of living has been very difficult. We are here to become Americans over time, but still I'm fighting to work hard and make a living and survive on my own in this country. We are living on Sheridan Road, near Jarvis - my family includes my wife, who experienced hardships in Rwanda, and our three children, under age 6. We moved here a few months ago from a 1 bedroom apartment in Edgewater. I work as a doorman at a highrise building near Belmont on Sheridan.

We are making friends here, but did not know anyone when we arrived. I'm looking to these new friends for advice, and hope to open my own business. I feel that's the best way to make it here, to start my own business. The possibilities include import export, from Congo to here, or here to Congo or Europe, or perhaps a coffee shop. The contacts will help in that direction, and experience here will help. There are many things that could work, but finding appropriate funding is important."
 
 

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