The second episode of In Her Words presents you with Mysette Misenga. Mysette is currently in our advanced level. We asked her why she joined In Her Presence and this is her answer:
Why did you join IHP?
Starting from zero in a country that isn’t yours is probably what I never expected in my life. Like many women, I came to the United States without any idea of how difficult it would be for me to integrate. The simple things like finding an article on a supermarket shelf seem to be an ordeal, everything is written in English. Similarly, calling the doctor to book or cancel an appointment is a mountain to climb. Answering a phone call in English is even more complicated because the person on the other end of the line has nothing to do with your difficulty in expressing yourself or understanding English. The language, English, is certainly the principal barrier. In addition to this, it is difficult to find a structure that allows you to feel surrounded, encouraged, and supported. A structure that will guide you. A structure that boosts you and pushes you to dare.
One morning, my neighbor told me about In Her Presence. This platform brings together immigrant women and facilitates their integration.
At In Her Presence, volunteers and teachers as well as leaders make everyone their focus and every immigrant woman is a priority.
I timidly entered the door of In Her Presence. I have been an active member for the past two years. Here, I have learned how to express myself in English with the little vocabulary I have and make myself understood. Here I have doubled my self-confidence. At each blockage, In Her Presence shows you the ways out that allow you to take up the challenge. My professional experience and my background acquired in my home country have assets on which the people in charge are basing themselves to guide me to find a professional job. At In Her Presence, you are encouraged to set your own goals.This is where the slogan Out of the shadow and Onto the Stage finds its meaning. But it’s not over yet, At In Her Presence I met special people and some of them became very close. For all these good reasons, I stay with In Her Presence for a very long time because I have to bring the same support I received from other immigrant women.
For all the above, I would like to say to volunteers, teachers, and leaders of In Her Presence that you will never realize enough how important the support you are to the immigrant women that we are.
