TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Tallahassee has a growing population of more than 200 refugees who've left war-torn countries for a better life in America.
Navigating a new way of life is challenging, especially for many who came here from refugee camps, knowing little English.
That's where March's Difference Maker Kim Thacker comes in.
"They left the Congo, went to Uganda and live in a refugee camp for 22 years, they didn't belong really in either place and here coming to America, it's their first chance to truly belong to a country," says Kim Thacker, Volunteer with International Rescue Committee.
A trip to the grocery store for a Congolese family of seven living in Tallahassee requires two shopping carts.
Their American friend Kim Thacker, also known as "Momma Molly" drives them to the store and helps Emanuelle, Rachel and their children weave through the traffic in the produce section.
They become estastic to find "something familier" for the first time since moving to Tallahassee last May.
"These are plantains. We found it," said Emanuelle Ndyanabo, a Congolese rufugee.
In Uganda, Emanuelle said food is very limited in the refugee camp and something as simple as coming to the grocery store is a new adventure.
WTXL'S Christine Souders noticed the family has become "americanized." She said 11- year-old Hope told her she loves pizza. They go to the pizza isle and Hope picks out a Digiorino pizza for $8.99, even after Christine Souders pointed out the buy-one get-one free deal on pizza, excluding Digiorino.
At home, some of the kids and mom put the food away while Christine Souders go through a photo album showing their life in Africa.
Emanuelle and Rachel describe what it was like when they found out they were coming to America.
"We threw a party after we found out we're coming to America. A new home. Also safe, in the camp not safe," said Emanuelle.
Hope said life is much better than before, "I have friends. I go to school. I have better future and more food to eat. In Africa, I don't have more food to eat."
Kim Thacker first got involved with refugee families through her church and has since dedicated her time to spear-heading projects, such as facilitating 72-hour emergency food supply during Hurricane Irma and tutor supply kits for refugee students in Leon County Schools.
On a regular basis, she works one-on-one with 7 families in Tallahassee, teaching them english, driving them back and forth to work.
Christine Souders joined her as she too some of her friends to file their taxes.
"Are you getting your taxes done today?" asked Christine Souders.
"Yes," said a car full of refugees.
Have you ever had to do taxes? Christine Souders asked.
"This is first time because we are new, " they responded.
"I help them to fill out the preliminary paperwork and that's kind of a trip because all of these questions are like, do you have assets and every question is no, no, no ,no. It gives them insight on how heavily documented everything is in America," said Thacker
"She goes above and beyond with helping families. She does the things that we as an organization may not have the capacity to do," said Una Bilic, IRC Site Manager.
Una Bilic is with the International Rescue Committee in Tallahassee, also known as the IRC.
It's a non-governmental organization that responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises by offering assistance to refugees.
Bilic said they need people like Kim Thacker, now more than ever.
"We are at risk of closing our doors because of budget cuts and because of executive orders by the current political administration, every single executive order has paused our program for 180 days," said Bilic.
Emanuelle said he's grateful to the IRC for getting his family to Tallahassee. In five years, he hopes to become a U.S. Citizen.
"We don't want to go back, we want to be here," Emanuelle said.
"I think our refugees are so brave and remarkable and resilient and powerful people who deserve every opportunity that we can give for them, and I especially hope that my wonderful friends Emanuelle, Rachel and the children can stay here in Tallahassee, that Emanuelle can get good work and that they'll thrive here, I really hope that for them," said Thacker.
Kim Thacker is helping refugees in our community and that's why she's March's Difference Maker.
If you would like to get involved with local refugee families head to: https://help.rescue.org/donate?ms=gs_brand_best_charity_es_fy18&initialms=gs_brand_best_charity_es_fy18&gclid=Cj0KCQiAieTUBRCaARIsAHeLDCR-zWQ1Y9S5N-PDZ1XV4a9aovy8fy-UGilzJg0t0MkoxznH64HeNVIaAmJ-EALw_wcB
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Nominate someone making a difference in our community.
It's very simple: https://www.wtxl.com/differencemakers/submit/
