Most of us are immigrants and refugees like other immigrants and refugees. We understand the struggle and frustration that comes from being an immigrant or a refugee. We share the same background where parents consider their children can only become one of the three professionals: Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer which is most of the time not the chosen career of their children. Through all of this we have learned a lot of skills that we want to share with you! Our desire is to help young people realize the full potential of their talents and skills and empower them to become skilled Self-sufficient.
Leo Ndondwa, President, is the founder of ARISE and Shine, prior to moving to the USA, he served in multiple leadership and traveled in more than sixteen African countries, meeting people from different cultural backgrounds. He occupied different positions including Marketing Manager, Research and Development Manager with Stripes industries of East Africa. He has also worked in various positions such as Youth Coordinator, with Youth Power Foundation; Marriage and Trauma Counselor and College Tutor. Besides English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and Spanish, He is also fluent in more than ten local languages spoken in Central, East, and Southern Africa, making him closer to Indigenous, Immigrant and Refugee communities and his passion of serving undeserved communities, his 15 years of experience working with undeserved communities, helped him understand the issues that affect these communities and fueled his motivation to found ARISE and Shine.
He has worked with Greater New Hope Family Services in different positions, including Language and Housing specialist, Parent Coach, Safety services Administrator, and assisting the program manager and coordinator. Leo also provides interpretation and translation services. Highly invested in African community issues, He is volunteering in Social Services for African Immigrant and Refugee Communities.
Georgette- Secretary is the President of Student Association at the University of Idaho and
the co-founder of ARISE and Shine. She has a great interest in research on educational
opportunities for Immigrant and Refugee youth. She also inspires immigrant and refugee
student in cultivating a sense of belonging and career development. Georgette provides
interpretation services for the home interviews with Dr. Masarik’s larger “Stress and
Resilience” project involving immigrant and refugee mothers and their adolescent children.
She also provides interpretation services for local school districts, a community liaison at
Boise State.
Georgette moved from Africa to the USA as a refugee, and has a very clear understanding
of challenges that immigrants and refugee communities go through, as she had lived and
walked the refugee life. Georgette is currently pursuing law school and is devoted to
advocate for immigrant, refugee, and undeserved communities.
Sabina Pierre is a first-generation Haitian American college graduate born and raised in Oregon. Pierre holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree Majoring in Business General Social Science and Minoring in Media Studies as well as Legal Studies from the University of Oregon. Pierre was the 2nd Black Student Body President to be elected in 42 years during her undergrad at the institution. In addition to currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism. Pierre is additionally the founder and owner of Pretty Missguided Cosmetics. A vegan cruelty-free inclusive beauty brand creating unique high-quality products while centering on the intersectionality of activism and beauty. When Pierre is not in class or working on her brand she is working in the entertainment journalist media industry in some aspect.
Fowzia, Treasurer, graduated from Boise State University with a BA in Public Health. Originally from Somalia, Fowzia lived in Nairobi, Kenya before coming to the US in 2012. She worked with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Program as an intern and is currently working with the College Bound Program. She also works at her mother’s childcare. She is passionate about helping others especially youth with refugee background to empower them to achieve their academic goals. Fowzia loves to cook with her mother and spend time with her daughter when she is not working.