“It’s a bit cold,” she said, laughing. “OK, it’s not a bit cold. It’s very cold.”
It’s a long way from the 30-degree desert heat she’s used to, but she would take life here over where she lived any day.
For 15 years, the 23-year-old lived in a refugee camp in Namibia, in southern Africa. She and her family moved there from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where decades of fighting between government and rebel forces has caused tremendous turmoil for its people. The political unrest, government repression, violence and human rights abuse in the African country caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee the area, resulting in a refugee crisis.
“It was very difficult being a refugee,” Mutombo said, lowering her head. “It was difficult having no identity.”
When she and her family first arrived at a refugee camp in the Congo in 2001, they lived in tents. In Namibia, they lived in a housing development, but it was still sub-standard living conditions, with no bathroom facilities.
“We just built a little shed with a hole. That’s where we had to go,” she said.
“I was definitely happy to get out of there.”
With the help of UNHCR Canada, a refugee agency that helps refugees rebuild their lives, Mutombo and her family, including her parents and older sister, were able to leave the country. While her sister has been here a year, she and her parents arrived in Newfoundland on Sept. 20, 2016.
“I have a future now. In the refugee camp, I had no future,” said Mutombo, who has become fairly fluent in English in the short time she’s been here. “There were always limitations on my studies. After Grade 12, I was unable to do any college or university.
“Now in Canada, I have a bright, open future. I can proceed in my studies, conquer my career and follow my dreams.”
She is currently studying through LINK, an international educational agency, but plans to study business administration at the College of the North Atlantic, where she has applied.
Mutombo wants to know all she can about Canada. As part of the Association of New Canadians’ language class, she was one of about a dozen new Canadians who attended a lunch-hour session at provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday to learn more about the Canadian justice system. Others were from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Brazil, eastern Africa, Israel, the Dominican Republic and St-Pierre et Miquelon.
Judge David Orr and Kevin O’Shea, executive director of the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, spoke to the group on various topics, such as the levels of court, legislation, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, how crimes are investigated, trials, appeals and the principles of law.
They also answered questions about everything from freedom of speech and family law to the legalization of marijuana.
The day ended with a tour of the courtrooms and offices.
“This is all so new to me,” Mutombo said. “It’s a big change, but a good change. I feel lucky to be here. I’m very thankful.”
Twitter: TelyRosie
