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

October 09, 2024 00:52:41
Episode Cover

Pace4Peace 5K: Meet the Student Organizers

The Pace4Peace 5K was founded by a local group of people with the goal of raising awareness for the people of the Democratic Republic...

Listen

Episode 6

June 28, 2023 01:10:19
Episode Cover

Jane Chu & Palina Louangketh: Mothers, Daughters, and Keepsakes

Illustrator Jane Chu, former chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, shines light on ‎refugee and immigrant stories by drawing their keepsake items....

Listen

Episode 33

June 20, 2024 00:39:05
Episode Cover

Joel Ntando: What World Refugee Day Means to Me

Today we hear from Joel Ntando, coordinator of the Refugee Speakers Bureau at ‎the Idaho Office for Refugees. Joel has a background in theater...

Listen