Caring for Children Wherever She is

Headshot Angel

Angel is a joy to be around. She has a friendly personality and a beautiful smile. She is always taking care of others, especially children. Angel has been through a lot in her life, and through it all she has proven she is a survivor and a blessing to all those around her. Enjoying life in Boise Angel, a single Read More »



Amiri Osman – A Life Filled With Art

Headshot of artist Amiri Osman displaying painting

On the canvas of life, each experience paints a different stroke. No one knows this better than Amiri Osman from Democratic of Congo (DRC). He’s a talented artist who came to Boise in 2016 and has been adding to the city’s arts and culture scene ever since. Amiri was just 12 when his parents passed away. He found a refuge Read More »



Meet John Nahimana from Burundi

Headshot of John Nahimana

Since he was a teenager, John has always known he was good at cutting hair. He got his start helping his brother trim hair at a salon in Malawi when he was very young. Now, 17 years later, John is achieving his dream of opening his own full-service salon here in America. Called He & She Salon, John’s shop is Read More »



The Ingredients to Start a New Life and Restaurant

Photo Salam Bunyan of Tarbush Kitchen

Meet Salam Bunyan from Baghdad Salam Bunyan is an expert chef. He grew up in Iraq experimenting with different flavors and combining ingredients. He lived and worked around food in Iraq — including serving as a chef at a five-star restaurant in Baghdad — until 2006, when war forced him to leave his native country. In the early ‘90s, Salam Read More »



Hana is Fulfilling Her Dream

Hana in front of Food Land Market

Hana grew up in Baghdad, where food, groceries, and bakeries were always a family affair for her. Both her grandmother and mother owned stores there, and she and her brothers have fond memories of helping and playing in those stores when they were small children in Iraq. Today Hana is fulfilling her dream of having her own store. She recently Read More »



Meet Laylo from Somalia

Laylo holding two infants

Laylo was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya. She came to Idaho in 2009 and loves it here. “Boise feels like a second home,” she says. “People are so helpful and welcoming, and we’ve made lots of friends.” Laylo experienced many ups and downs before coming to the United States, having spent 18 years in refugee camps. But Read More »



Meet Stella and Rosie

Stella and Rosie sitting together

Together they helped raise thousands of dollars for the ELC. Language acquisition is vital to building community, maintaining employment, and feeling included in a new country. However, when adult refugees arrive in Boise, they only have a few months, at most, to learn English before they are employed full time or more—which leaves little time for language classes. Even then, Read More »