Laylo was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya. She came to Idaho in 2009 and loves it here. \u201cBoise feels like a second home,\u201d she says. \u201cPeople are so helpful and welcoming, and we\u2019ve made lots of friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laylo experienced many ups and downs before coming to the United States, having spent 18 years in refugee camps. But despite the various challenges she\u2019s faced, Laylo has always had a keen sense of who she is. \u201cI am strong and talented,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I can do anything I set my mind to. I am willing to try anything at least once.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starting Her Own Business<\/strong><\/p>\n Not long after arriving in Idaho, Laylo started her own childcare business. \u201cI love my daycare and serve the children from my heart,\u201d she says. \u201cI do my best to give parents the peace of mind that their kids are well cared for. I know what it\u2019s like to be in need and I\u2019m here for everyone who needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n For Laylo, coming to EO for a loan to start her day care business just made sense. \u201cMany banks don\u2019t know how to work with refugees,\u201d she says. \u201cEO knows how to help us. They understand where we\u2019ve come from and where we want to go. There are many nice, wonderful people there. I am so grateful to Jannus and EO for how they help women. There are too many people to thank, really.\u201d<\/p>\n EO also helped Laylo\u2019s mother start a daycare business back in 2009, which she ran until 2011. \u201cEO helped me and my mom become businesswomen,\u201d she says. \u201cWithout them, we could not have reached our dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n Helping Others Move Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n Laylo is also doing her part to help other refugee women who came to Boise. She volunteers as a translator and interpreter for Jannus. \u201cI know how hard it can be for women who arrive here from another country and don\u2019t speak the language,\u201d she says. \u201cMy mom came here a long time ago and it was incredibly hard for her not knowing anyone and not being able to speak much English.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking toward the future, Laylo hopes to continue to grow her business. She says what\u2019s most important to her is being happy and being with her family, which includes a husband, a three-year-old boy, and a one-year-old girl. Her extended family is very close as well, and she has four brothers and a sister here in Boise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Laylo was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya. She came to Idaho in 2009 and loves it here. \u201cBoise feels like a second home,\u201d she says. \u201cPeople are so helpful and welcoming, and we\u2019ve made lots of friends.\u201d Laylo experienced many ups and downs before coming to the United States, having spent 18 years in refugee camps. But … <\/p>\n