In 1996 Congolese civil war broke out in the present-day countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo, forcing then two-year-old Thomas Mbuthu into exile in a refugee camp in neighboring Zambia. After growing up in refugee camp, now 27-year-old Thomas applied to come to the United States.  

When Thomas landed at the Des Moines airport in an entirely foreign land in a state called Iowa, LSI caseworker Patrick Karemera greeted him.  

“I said, ‘Welcome! This is your new home now! I am your brother. This is a new life. Feel free and feel safe,” shared Patrick, recounting his initial meeting with his client Thomas.  

Thomas thanked him, explaining he had not expected to see someone like Patrick welcome him – someone who looked like himself and spoke his native languages of Lingala and Swahili.  

“As a refugee, I wanted a better life. But I didn’t know where I was going. ‘What is going to happen to me?’” wondered Thomas aloud.  

“When Patrick came to me, I could see the future.” 

Patrick is from the same country as Thomas, coming to America just a few years prior. He works as a caseworker to welcome refugees to Iowa and helps them resettle, pursue their goals, and navigate the challenges of an entirely foreign place. 

“I immigrated here, like Thomas. It’s rewarding to welcome somebody like me to come here to Iowa. This is my second home,” said Patrick.  

Patrick admires how courageous, open-minded, and curious Thomas is. He encourages his client to dream big and work hard to achieve his goals.  

“Life is about helping each other,” shared Patrick.  

Learn more about services that help people like Thomas: