Kwol Ksa is a Montagnard Koho woman who has lived in Greensboro, NC since 1992 when she arrived from Vietnam. She has served as an interpreter and has held a number of jobs working in light assembly plants. She is married to Eugene Pierce.
DATS MashUp organizer Andrew Young met Kwol when she was an adult student attending classes at Montagnard Dega Association, one of the region's oldest refugee mutual assistance agencies.
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Tarek and Wurood Almashhadani came to the Piedmont about one and one half years ago from Iraq. Wurood takes pride in Iraqi food and traditions and is eager to share them with her new country. She regularly studies English and is equally interested in cosmetology and nursing. Although he graduated from Baghdad University and taught English, Tarek has experience as a trainer, translator and interpreter, salesman and manager, travel agent, and other positions.
Tarek has successfully held several short term jobs since arriving in the US, but he is looking for steady work now. (Read his resume.)
Church World Services has assisted in their success and settlement here in the Piedmont.
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Menbi Halu came to the US from Ethiopia via Nairobi, Kenya just a couple of years ago. Her husband, John, was a noted journalist in their native land until they were forced to flee. Although she was trained as a photographer and photo-editor and obtained a college degree, here she worked at light assembly plants until she got a break working at the American Hebrew Academy. She worked her way up quickly, demonstrating her cooking skills and learning American practices and styles and becoming second shift supervisor and cook.
African Services Coalition is her family's refugee assistance agency.
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Hari and Ganga came to the US just a few months ago from Nepal. They are neighbors in an apartment complex in Greensboro's northeast. As new arrivals they attend English class while pressed to find employment as quickly as possible. Devi arrived in the US about 2 years ago. She is currently looking for work.Roshan Shrestra is a culinary student at GTCC who earned his US citizenship two years ago. He is not a refugee, but has been generous in lending his time and support for the participating women. He has considerable culinary expertise and training and had worked with Chef Jeff Bacon before agreeing to work with the Nepali team.
Diane Nussbaum has graciously lent her time and support for the Nepail women and has assisted in making their participation possible. Diane is a volunteer sponsor at Church World Services, Greensboro.
