From becoming a refugee to leading a resettlement agency

Episode 3 June 07, 2023 01:01:06
From becoming a refugee to leading a resettlement agency
Mosaics
From becoming a refugee to leading a resettlement agency

Jun 07 2023 | 01:01:06

/

Show Notes

Zeze Rwasama shares his story from DRC to Rwanda to the U.S.

 

Zeze Rwasama is the director of the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Programs, which resettles refugees in Twin Falls, Idaho. 

As a child Zeze dreamed of becoming an engineer in electronics, but his passion shifted to helping refugees after he himself become a refugee in 1995. Conflict stemming from the Rwandan genocide moved into his community in the DRC (then Zaire). Zeze and his family, part of the Tutsi ethnic group, became targeted and were forced to escape to a refugee camp, where they lived for several years before relocating to the U.S. 

Over the years Zeze has held several key roles in and outside of the U.S. helping refugees integrate into their new communities. He is married with four children and holds a master's degree in public administration.  

Much of Zeze’s outlook on life and relationships comes from his father’s kindness toward others and from the generosity he himself received from strangers, life lessons he is now passing on to his own children and the people he works with.

Other Episodes

Episode 45

February 26, 2025 00:24:23
Episode Cover

City Cast Boise: The Resettlement Program is Paused. Now What?

Join us for a conversation with local podcast City Cast Boise about Boise's rich history of resettlement and the current executive order that abruptly...

Listen

Episode 32

May 29, 2024 00:41:18
Episode Cover

Aanish Shamim: Perspectives from a ‘Third Culture Kid’

Aanish Shamim is a first-generation immigrant from Pakistan who has called Idaho home since he was 3. Aanish has a degree in international political...

Listen

Episode 23

November 08, 2023 00:28:49
Episode Cover

Taste of Persia: Boise Family Opens Afghan Restaurant

Meet the Afghan-American family behind the newest and one of the only Afghan restaurants in Boise, Taste of Persia.   Hafiz & Bahija Karim left...

Listen