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249 Elise Malongi

2/21/2021

 
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Elise Malongi arrived in Maine with her three young children from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo during the summer of 2012.  A year and a half later she courageously agreed to be my very first guest on New Mainers Speak.  Seven years later she is my last formal interview in this series.  

A lot has happened in Elise's life in her first seven years in Maine.  She has learned English, gotten her driver's license, raised three very active children, and has said "Yes!" to nearly every opportunity that has come her way: Most recently--downhill ski lessons so she could enjoy Maine with her kids.

When she said yes to learning to play squash at Portland Community Squash she had no idea that it would one day blossom into a full time job, in her field.  Elise is the Finance and Facilities Director at PCS, which is a perfect job for someone with a bachelor's degree Economics and Business Administration.    

Music: "Sur et Certain" (Sure and Certain) by Mama Lydia, a song that gives Elise hope.

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243 Deborah Ibonwa

11/27/2020

 
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Deborah was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.  Her childhood was disrupted by war and time spent in a prison camp and refugee camp before moving to Michigan-- then Maine in 2000.  She was almost nine years old when she found herself learning English in Portland Public elementary schools.  Deborah has spent her life since figuring out how to navigate the new culture, through grade school, Catholic high school, Clark University and University of San Francisco School of Law.  

Now Deborah is a community lawyer with Maine Equal Justice and she intends to help others to navigate the complicated systems they find themselves working with in Maine.  Maine Equal Justice is dedicated to increasing economic security, opportunity and equality for people in Maine.  

Maine Equal Justice (1-866-626-7059 ) often partners with these other organizations for specific free services for people in  Maine who are living in poverty:  
ILAP,  Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
MIRC, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Pine Tree Legal Assistance

​Music: "My Power"  by Beyoncé featuring Tierra Whack, Naja, Yemi Alade and Moonchild Sanelly on The Lion King Album. 

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205 Papy Bongibo

5/5/2019

 
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Papy Bongibo came to Maine in 2010 and is now the President of the Congolese Community of Maine. The Congolese population in the state numbers about 2,000 strong.  The organization works to solve common barriers many immigrants experience: housing, education, workforce and childcare.  Presently, CoCoMaine is conducting a survey about the child care needs throughout the community so that they can develop an affordable and accessible parenting cooperative.  You can learn more about their organizing efforts on their facebook page: cocomaine.
Papy is not only the leader of CoCoMaine but he is also the founder of New England African Arts, Entertainment and Community Association which brings big name artists overseas to create a vibrant arts community to Maine venues. 

Music: Fally Ipupa sings "Maria PM"

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197 Georges Budagu Makoko

1/13/2019

 
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This is the fourth time Georges has been on New Mainers Speak.  During this interview he speaks about the on-going responsibilities of citizenship.  He has been working with Results, a global organization focused on ending poverty through political and policy actions focused on global health, education, and economic opportunity.

He cares about an informed citizenry and encourages people to be aware of what is going on and taking action to support good policies.  Georges encourages people to insure the veracity of the content they read about in the news, checking the source, using multiple sources and checking with trusted contacts. 

Georges continues to work in his professional job as a property manager for Avesta, serves as President of Ladder to the Moon Network and helps to produce Amjambo Africa, a newspaper for Africans in Maine written in several languages and circulated through the Bangor Daily News monthly.

Music: George's nephew Israel Mbonyi sings "Ibihe" 

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184 Claude Rwaganje

7/8/2018

 
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Claude is the Executive Director of ProsperityME (formerly Community Financial Literacy) now located in Portland and Lewiston offices.  They offer an array of services to the refugee and immigrant community  including, but not limited to, classes on basic finances in the USA, workforce development, access to education, and small business support. 
While Claude has been in Maine for 22 years, he has never forgotten what it is like to try to get started in a new country.  In previous interviews he has shared about his life story NMS 015 and his organization that helps newcomers NMS 140.

Music: Mike Kalambay sings "Belela" (This musician is from DRC and will be on tour in Maine later this month). 

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182 Mak Francisco

6/3/2018

 
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Makumbundo Francisco was born in Angola, raised in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to Maine in 2013. 
Was trained as a painter at the Institute des Beaux-Arts and has painted internationally.  His favorite style is surrealism but he is accomplished in many other forms.  To see more of is art visit his facebook site (makfranciscoart).

Music: "Above All" is sung by Michael W. Smith.

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168 Monique Butoto

2/4/2018

 
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Monique came to the United States to study and arrived in Maine in 2016.  This spring she will be graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from USM, the only woman in her class. 
Growing up in the Great Lakes Region of Africa (DRC, Burundi and Rwanda), Monique always loved writing and yet she also felt the need to be assured that she would be financially independent, something she sees as essential for women's empowerment.  She has found a way to pursue both and shares two of her poems on this program: "Asking For A Friend" and "Fifteen." 
For more of her poetry and thoughts visit her blog.

Music: Andrea Day sings "Rise Up"

nms_168_monique_butoto_drc_feb_4_2018.mp3
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140 Claude Rwaganje

5/7/2017

 
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Claude Rwanganje is originally from Democratic Republic of Congo and came to the US in 1996.  He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business and Finance and applies what he has learned directly to his work.  He is the Director of the non-profit organization called Community Financial Literacy.
Claude was previously on this show in the summer of 2014 (NMS 015), when he spoke about his life and work.  In this interview Claude speaks about CFL and the block party they are hosting this week for their annual celebration. Additionally, he discusses the current political climate in Maine (LD 366). 
Music: Akwaaba Drummers (The local West African drummers who will be performing at the block party on Thursday May 11th, 2017)

nms_140_claude_rwaganje_drc_may_7_2017.mp3
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126 Georges Budagu

1/15/2017

 
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Georges Budagu is originally from the Southern Kivu Province of Democratic Republic of Congo.  He is a Senior Property Manager, a community organizer, husband and father. 
Georges was previously interviewed for New Mainers Speak on October 5, 2014 about his memoir called Ladder to the Moon.  He came back in May of 2015 to talk about "culture shock" among immigrants.  Today he addressed the resources available to immigrants in Maine.  Georges underscores the value of immigrants learning English and explained, "Language is the key to understanding and understanding is the key to life."  He also speaks to the feelings of fear running throughout the immigrant community since the election of Donald Trump.  He shares insights and some helpful resources (hot linked below):
Avesta Housing
Portland Housing Authority
South Portland Housing Authority
Westbrook Housing Authority
Catholic Charities of Maine
ACLU Maine

Music: "Do Something" by Matthew West

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124 PDG Muhamiriza

12/18/2016

 
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PDG grew up the youngest son of a Banyamulenge tribal leader in Bukavu, DRC.  The Banyamulenge people are marginalized and some have been displaced and housed by the UNHCR in Burundi as refugees while experiencing dramatic violence (2004). 
PDG came to Maine in 2015 and is now diligently studying Political Science at USM.  His dream is to study law and then return to his home to help solve some of the intractable problems created by poverty and corruption. (For additional link to audio from the Telling Room click here).

Music: Ismael Lo sings "Jammu Africa."

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