Immigrant Voices

Dot Bol, 38, tested positive for COVID-19 on April 28. Her 11-year-old daughter fell ill with the virus a few days later. Dot is a mother of three and a refugee from South Sudan. Being infected and feeling sick was scary, but seeing her daughter’s illness was devastating.  “When James found out that I was…

Dot Bol, 38, tested positive for COVID-19 on April 28. Her 11-year-old daughter fell ill with the virus a few days later. Dot is a mother of three and a refugee from South Sudan. Being infected and feeling sick was scary, but seeing her daughter’s illness was devastating.  “When James found out that I was…

All journeys are different, but when for some reason you are forced to leave your country, then grow up in yet another country and finally find success there, your story becomes one of survival and resiliency. Life has not been easy for Thakur Neupane, 30, yet when you meet him, his smile and personality can…

Signs of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement and other underrepresented communities have popped up in yards all over the country. The signs have come about as a show of public support from those who either live, understand or empathize with the BLM struggle. One of the popular signs reads: “Black Lives Matter. No…

The derecho hit Iowa hard and fast. From downed trees damaging houses and losing power for hours, even days, Iowans are slowly recovering from yet another crisis. Unfortunately, as it often happens, the storm hit already vulnerable communities the hardest. As with most natural disasters, nobody has control over the devastation, but our elected officials…

Nduwimana Kanumba’s entrance into the world was rough. At five days old, a derecho tore through his family’s Cedar Rapids apartment, ripping off their roof and bringing debris crashing down onto his crib. His mother suffered a gash on her shoulder during the storm while protecting him in her arms. She and Kanumba’s two older…

Immigrants always bring a part their home country with them. In years past, immigrants were told by their parents to speak English and assimilate. Newer generations of new Iowans share their heritage openly and proudly. We bring our suitcases full of dreams, carrying our culture with us. As parents, we want our kids to learn…

There are different ways to describe successful people. For most, success is defined by how much money a person may have. For me, it has more to do with achieving your goals and finding happiness with what you do. So in my list of successful individuals I include a special, smart, driven, and kindhearted immigrant.…

There are different ways to describe successful people. For most, success is defined by how much money a person may have. For me, it has more to do with achieving your goals and finding happiness with what you do. So in my list of successful individuals I include a special, smart, driven, and kindhearted immigrant.…

There are different ways to describe successful people. For most, success is defined by how much money a person may have. For me, it has more to do with achieving your goals and finding happiness with what you do. So in my list of successful individuals I include a special, smart, driven, and kindhearted immigrant.…