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Event Details
Join us for two separate sessions with unique Open Books presented by CultureALL.
Open Book is a community project that creates connections and builds social cohesion through story sharing where People are "Books" and You are a "Reader." In this series we will be featuring stories of individuals who have experienced a radical change in life trajectory. Open to anyone 18+.
No registration required.
Our "Books" for this event are Patrick Karemera and Matthew Kolodziej
Patrick Karemera was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been fortunate to spend time in several other countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. He used his BA degree in Sociology to work with several non-profits around the continent of Africa. After winning a Diversity Lottery Visa, Patrick was able to immigrate to Iowa. He now works as a Refugee Resettlement Caseworker in one of Iowa’s largest refugee resettlement agencies. Patrick finds value in himself and connection with others through sharing his story and bringing awareness to the Diversity Lottery Visa process.
“In2017, I won the lottery. But it's not the lottery you might think of. My prize did not come in the form of millions of dollars. Instead, it is a Diversity Visa Lottery that has allowed me to live the American Dream- a reality full of joys and challenges. I get to pay it forward by helping other refugees and immigrants to start their new lives in America.”
Matthew volunteers in his community with a specific passion for serving and building relationships with the unhoused in Des Moines. Adversity has been a big part of his personal story, and he's been blessed to overcome some major challenges in his life to become a more productive member of his community. From his own experiences, Matthew has learned that change begins on the inside and expresses itself outward and upward. Change is a collective experience. Matthew would like to use his personal experiences and education to effectively hold space for others to identify their own adversity and develop the tools to overcome them.
"Often times, the seemingly random events in our lives unfold in a way that leaves us questioning the reasons for our experiences. The Greek word sumballo literally means 'to come together.' When we let our Faith lead the way, we can take an active role in the coming together of both our own lives, and also in the lives of the people we encounter.