Night Jean and his family faced immense challenges, starting with the horrors of genocide in Rwanda. Their journey led them to a Congolese camp, where civil war broke out, and later to Congo-Brazzaville, amidst another civil conflict. As the son of a Tutsi father and Hutu mother, escaping the genocide was imperative for Night and his family. Despite his parents’ reluctance, they had to relocate from one country to another, experiencing upheaval and turmoil. In the Republic of Congo, they faced further struggles as Rwandan refugees were coerced into fighting for power and eventually moved to a refugee camp in Lukoléla. Through it all, Night has shared his journey through poetry, reflecting on his diverse roots and multilingual abilities. In the Congo, Night grappled with not having a nationality and the lack of acknowledgement from the government and some locals.
Night highlights the parallels between his experiences and current events in the US, emphasizing how migration can lead to divisions and challenges. Even in the Congo, individuals born there can face obstacles in accessing essential services due to citizenship issues. Despite the difficulties, Night spent 15 years in the refugee camp, facing a dismal education system and lack of opportunities. Throughout this hardship, Night’s mother remained his driving force, ensuring he received the education she never had the chance to complete. With her determination, she managed to open a small store with UN assistance, fueling Night’s own aspirations.
Night’s father was very vocal in the refugee camp, which unfortunately led to his disappearance. Even now, Night has no idea where he is. When Night was little, his mother told him that men in UN uniforms came and took his father away, but they were actually rebels that took him. They never saw him again, and he tries not to dwell on it too much. “My mother always encouraged me to stay strong,” said Night. In the camp, there were so many people that the UN couldn’t assist everyone. To survive, they had to sell cold water, a common practice in Congo. They would freeze water or add ice and then sell it throughout the community, often working 12 to 18 hours a day. Even now, he suffers from back issues because of that. Night was involved in some tough work back home. At just nine years old, he was mixing concrete and making bricks to help earn money for their household. He recalled the moment he learned he was headed to Providence, Rhode Island.
When he arrived, the cold was unbearable, and he despised it. It was so frigid that the streets felt deserted, and Night found himself wondering, “Where is everyone?”. It seemed like the only people around were in stores or at the hospital. He thought to himself, “Surely these folks just don’t go to school, return home, and sleep?” It felt surreal to him. Then summer arrived, and suddenly the parks were bustling with people. He used to live on Wilson Street, right next to a park that he adored visiting. However, not knowing English made things a bit challenging for Night.
At the camp, they painted a picture of America that suggested they would be handed free homes upon arrival. The reality was quite different, but he is incredibly grateful to the Refugee Dream Center for their support during those early days. The RDC provided him with tremendous support during his high school years, particularly through the youth program and assistance in securing a college scholarship. Thanks to their help, he was able to obtain a full scholarship to attend any college of his choice. His mom initially reached out because the Dream Center was offering English classes. Night personally got involved when he performed a poem titled “Make the World a Better Place” downtown for World Refugee Day in 2015, even though he didn’t know English at the time. That’s where he met Dr. Omar Bah, who became a significant source of inspiration for Night.,”He had only been here a short while, yet he accomplished so much,” he said of Dr. Bah.
Night participated in the inaugural youth program established by the Refugee Dream Center, which provided a great opportunity for him to learn about American culture from local kids. He discovered what to do, what to avoid, and which shows to watch, and bonded with others over their shared interest in animation. One memorable occasion was when they came together to watch ‘Minions,’ which Night fondly recalls as a fun way for him to learn English. In the midst of the many challenges at the refugee camp, Night found it difficult to process his own feelings, so he turned to writing as a way to cope. Pouring his thoughts onto the page and reading them back to himself helped him reconnect with reality and served as a source of encouragement.
Night vividly remembered the moment he saw his mom, who was facing numerous challenges, and turned to prayer and writing in Lingala to support her. These moments had a positive effect on his mom, and it wasn’t until he arrived in Providence that he realized he was creating poetry. With the help of a student from Brown University, Night refined his English and translated his poems from French, marking the beginning of his poetic journey. At an event organized by Dr. Omar Bah, Night was invited to share his poem, and the audience’s captivated reactions ignited a passion within himself to give back to the community. Night acknowledges the instrumental role of the Refugee Dream Center in his academic and professional journey, highlighting the remarkable leadership of the executive director, Teddi, and their dedication despite budget constraints. As the board chair at Refugee Dream Center, Night is committed to giving back and is inspired by the hard work and dedication of the entire team at the RDC. Recently, Night was appointed to the Providence School Board by Mayor Brett Smiley as he continues to rise in the community. He is proud to be considered a model community member and is motivated to continue making a positive impact.