What brought you to Vermont ?
I originally came to Vermont in 2007 through the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program . When I came to Vermont , I had only received a high school education in Kenya . Upon arrival , I decided to make a personal investment in my education , and I attended college at University of Vermont ( UVM .) I graduated from UVM with a degree in Economics in 2011 , and I ’ ve been working ever since . I founded a nonprofit called the Sudanese Foundation of Vermont . It ’ s a private foundation that was established to support first-generation college students , as well as newlysettled American kids who are dreaming of going to college . Our job is to ensure the well-being of our young community members and help them to find the resources that they need to succeed in college and beyond .
We secure financial support , and we award scholarships to students . This year , we are going to be awarding a scholarship to a student who is attending the University of Vermont for the first time , as the result of an incredibly generous donation from PC Construction . By awarding the scholarship , we seek to remind our community members that Vermonters value their education and that we want them to succeed . I have also worked for the Community Health Center of Burlington since 2011 . It ’ s a wonderful nonprofit organization which provides healthcare for many Vermonters , including programs for dental care , child healthcare , and homeless healthcare .
What keeps you here ?
There are so many things that I love about Vermont . Several of them are rooted in Vermont ’ s history . Vermont has always been a very progressive place in regards to human rights . On July 2nd of 1777 , Vermont became the first colony to officially abolish slavery . That ’ s incredibly important to me , because the first place in America to take a true stand for human rights is the state that I came to call my home . Secondly , America ’ s public colleges and universities would most likely have never existed in the same way without the Land Grant Act of 1862 , which was championed by a Vermont Senator by the name of Justin Morrill . Being able to pursue my degree in the home state of the senator who championed that vision for America was an incredible experience . Our state continues to welcome many people who are affected by decades of conflict from around the world .
I love the natural beauty of Vermont . Whether you are running , hiking , or driving , you can see the natural beauty of the state everywhere you go . I love to go on hikes and start conversations with the people I meet out on my walks . Vermont ’ s system of state government is also very unique . Our elected officials are very approachable . Here in Vermont , you can go to the state house and meet who you want to meet . Having that type of access is very special to me .
I am very active in my local community here . I love to be involved in anything that makes a positive difference in peoples ’ lives . I serve on a number of boards in Burlington . I ’ m a board member at Spectrum Youth & Family Services , which is a nonprofit that champions the causes of Vermont ’ s youth and homeless
populations . I ’ m also a trustee at Fletcher Free Library . I like to think that the Library is not just a good place to go and read books , it is a home for the community where they can meet each other and learn .
I love that Vermonters from all walks of life tend to be very engaged in social justice issues , including issues that affect many people outside of the state . Racial justice can only be restored in our country when all people come together and call injustices out wherever they are and accept timely changes to heal . Every single time there ’ s a social justice issue related to human rights , Vermonters always work hard to advocate for the rights of others through the state house and through our elected officials . I see that spirit of caring and generosity also reflected in the continued support that the Sudanese Foundation of Vermont receives from our local Vermont communities . Vermont might be a small state , but it ’ s full of people with big hearts . It ’ s a place where you can find your own community and discover a number of ways to give back to the common good .
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