Coming to America: The Patrick N’golo story
Patrick N’golo and wife Nicha (center) pose with Helen Hicks and other supporters at the closing of their new home. Photo courtesy of Macomb Habitat for Humanity
By Sarah Kittle
‘New Americans’ is a compelling series that shines a light on the remarkable journeys and resilience of immigrants within the vibrant Chaldean community. Join us as we delve into the impactful work of the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF), a beacon of hope and support for newcomers striving to assimilate and thrive in their adopted homeland.
Through poignant narratives and firsthand accounts, ‘New Americans’ showcases the Foundation’s pivotal role in aiding individuals and families as they navigate the challenges of resettlement, preserve their cultural identity, and contribute to the rich tapestry of American society. It is an inspiring exploration of courage, determination, and the transformative power of community as we witness the stories of those forging new beginnings in a foreign land with the invaluable assistance of the CCF.
“The basic idea of welcoming immigrants to our shores is central to our way of life — it is in our DNA. We believe our diversity, our differences, when joined together by a common set of ideals, makes us stronger, makes us more creative, makes us different. From all these different strands, we make something new here in America.” - President Barack Obama, July 4, 2014.
Meet Patrick N’golo. No, he isn’t Chaldean, nor is he from Iraq. Patrick is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where decades of clashes between armed groups, widespread violations of human rights, and devastating incidents of gender-based violence have displaced 6.1 million people. Sound familiar?
Patrick’s father, an ambassador in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was murdered in front of him simply for speaking out about basic human dignity and respect. When Patrick spoke out about his father’s death, he, too, became a target. In 2018, Patrick was sentenced to prison by the DRC government.
When broken out of prison by family friends, he went into hiding, unable to contact his wife and four sons for months. He needed to get out, but his passport was at the office of his former employer. Friends once again helped him, retrieving Patrick’s passport and arranging transportation for him to go to the United States and seek asylum.
Patrick found help in the form of Freedom House, a place for legal non-English speaking asylees, refugees and immigrants in Chicago. “They were the first kind hands that shook mine while I was reeling over the assassination of my parents and the parting from those I loved, my beautiful wife and my four boys,” Patrick said at a speech in November.
Freedom House was only the beginning. Patrick next reached out to the French United Methodist Church. “Most of the members there are legal asylees and refugees like me, who find some comfort in speaking our native language with others,” said Patrick in that same speech.
French is Patrick’s native language, and Nathalie Bochet, with Macomb County’s Habitat for Humanity (HFH), was his champion once he came to Michigan. He was assisted by Reverend Dr. Charles Boayue, who serves on the advisory board at that organization. Patrick started to learn English and acquired employment; he was on his way but missed his family a great deal.
Patrick had been on the run and hadn’t had a steady job for two years before coming here. Although he was working three jobs and saving all he could, it wasn’t enough. Given a slowdown in issuance of Green Cards and his current low-income status, Patrick had huge hurdles in his search for affordable housing, ones that HFH helped him overcome.
Working with the City of Eastpointe, HFH found Patrick a tax-reverted home to rent, with the intention of someday owning it. The city’s residents adopted Patrick, donating household items and offering contractor services. Beds were donated in preparation for Patrick’s family to join him. His new neighbors even planted a tree in his new front yard as a symbol of neighborly love.
Patrick was overwhelmed by this outpouring of support, but the citizens of America weren’t done helping yet. On Father’s Day in 2022, the N’golo family was reunited in Detroit. Several donors made that possible, but the money for the trip was mostly given by Ray and Doreen Gierach.
So, Patrick’s family was here. Now what?
Green cards were needed for Patrick’s wife, Nicha, so she could work, and for the boys, so they could attend school. Also, many programs designed to assist immigrants require a Social Security Number (SSN), and Patrick struggled for over three months to get SSNs for his wife and sons.
“Our immigration system is broken,” opines Nathalie Bochet, referring to the process Patrick had to follow. “Patrick was in our office on a weekly basis for months.”
Enter the Chaldean Community Foundation.
At a meeting of nonprofits, the stars aligned for Patrick N’golo and his family when Helen Hicks of Habitat for Humanity met Sharon Hannawa, who manages the Refugee Acculturation Sustainability Training (RAST) Program at the CCF.
“She [Sharon] told me ‘The runaround stops here,’” said Nathalie, after explaining Patrick’s situation.
Using contacts and relationships that the CCF has fostered over two decades, Sharon made a couple of calls, to the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Warren, and to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Cutting through the red tape made all the difference in Patrick’s case, and he was finally able to get Green Cards and SSNs for his family.
Sharon “waved her magic wand,” said Nathalie, “and we are all so grateful.”