3829B S Edmunds St Box 9
Seattle, WA 98118
info@kandelia.org
206-760-1573
Tax ID: 911122532

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Stories from our Community

Read about the folks in our community who have shared their stories and experiences with us.

Patrick's Story

From Kenya to Seattle: Patrick’s Journey and the Impact of Community

We met Patrick when he was 16 years old and had just moved to Seattle from Kenya. After enrolling at Seattle World School (SWS), he got connected with Kandelia and started building a community for himself here in Seattle. Now, as a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Washington, Patrick shares his journey, the support that helped him along the way, and his plans to give back to the Seattle community that he loves.

Patrick’s journey to Seattle began when his mother, who had come to the U.S. as a refugee in 2008, sponsored him to join her in 2014. Adjusting to life in a new country came with its challenges and moments of discovery. For Patrick, one of the first surprises was the bathrooms. He laughed, recalling his initial reaction: “This is so sustainable! You just flush, just like that! This is so easy!”

Although Patrick arrived with a basic understanding of English, he noted that many people often spoke too fast. “I knew how to say ‘hi’, ‘how are you?’, but sometimes I would miss what people were saying because they were talking too fast. I would struggle with complex words.”

Patrick was able to enroll at Seattle World School, a public school designed for newcomers, which helped him get adjusted to a new life here. Starting his US education at SWS meant Patrick was surrounded by other students like him who were newly arrived, and who were also learning English. It also meant he found Kandelia, where he became involved in every program that he could: soccer, homework help, field trips, and Saturday school, to name a few. Patrick shared, “For me that’s how I connected to the school when I was here, is through Kandelia. Kandelia brings the community. Sometimes it's very hard to feel that belonging, but with Kandelia you feel like there is a sense of community.”

Patrick quickly grew to love Seattle. "Oh my god, Seattle is my favorite! I love the rain, people hate the rain, I love rain. I think all four seasons are beautiful." he shared with us. "Seattle is just unique," Patrick says. "It feels like home, because it’s the home I’ve known since coming to the U.S." Patrick is a soon-to-be graduate from the University of Washington with a degree in Community Environment and Planning, an urban planning program that aligns with his passion for community engagement. His goal is to work for the Department of Transportation or in a role that allows him to focus on improving the community. “I love giving back to the community, working for the community, and seeing how we can make progress in Seattle, how we can help each other” he says. Patrick is already deeply involved in his community and currently volunteers with Kandelia in our Food Access Program!

Amidst all the new experiences in the U.S., Patrick has held on to his Kenyan roots. Christmas is especially meaningful to him and his family, who cook traditional Kenyan dishes during the holiday season. "We love Christmas!" he says, smiling at the thought of the foods that bring his family together. "We cook a lot of Kenyan food during that time of year, like chapati and mukimo."

Patrick’s journey from Kenya to Seattle has helped shape his passions and goals. As he looks forward to his future in Seattle, he is eager to continue making a positive impact on the community that has embraced him.