The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), located in Central Africa, is a place of lush landscapes, abundant natural resources, and dazzling biodiversity. But this former Belgian colony is still reeling from centuries of exploitation. In recent decades, violent clashes between the Congolese army and other armed groups have torn the nation apart – internally displacing over 7 million residents and leading another 1 million to seek refuge abroad.
Yvonne Songolo is a Congolese refugee who came to the United States legally in 2018 with help from LSC’s New Americans Program. Today, she pays it forward as an LSC teammate. Songolo recently told us about her life journey and her service with LSC.
Strife, hunger, and a strange new land
I was born in the DRC, but it’s painful to discuss. My father was killed there, and when I was 14, we fled to Burundi, a neighboring country. I grew up, got married, and had two children there.
When I got the call to come to the United States in 2018, I had a three-year-old and a two-year-old, and I was two months pregnant with my youngest child. (I am divorced.) I had to leave Burundi for my children’s sake; there was not enough food. Each day, my kids shared a single cup of milk. Food was hard to get, but God provided in different ways.
Everything was strange and new when I got to South Carolina, and I was so overwhelmed. I cried every day.
Blessings abound
LSC has been such a blessing to me. The New Americans Program in Columbia helped me apply for benefits and find a place to live, and it connected me with a Circle of Welcome from Riverland Hills Baptist Church. Now they are my church family! LSC even helped me become a U.S. citizen.
My LSC teammates are more than coworkers; they have become my friends and advocates. Seth Hershberger was my employment specialist; he helped me stand on my own two feet. I speak five languages, and at first, I worked as an interpreter. In 2022, LSC hired me as a housing coordinator and case aide. Later, I became an employment specialist, and Seth became my supervisor and role model.
My teammates have shown me such kindness. Sarah Quinney invited me and my kids to her home in Myrtle Beach over Thanksgiving break. And Sarah Lewis babysat my children so I could have some respite.
A new position
Because of federal policy changes, my position with the New Americans Program was recently eliminated – but LSC found me an open position with its Foster Care program. On February 13, 2025, I had my first day of work as a foster care recruiter and family developer.
This position is a good fit for me; I always used to say I’d like to foster or adopt, and I love helping people. And April Lyerly, my new supervisor, welcomed me with open arms. I try to show similar kindness through my work at LSC and by representing South Carolina in the Refugee Congress.
Seeing God in every step
God has been so faithful to my family through LSC. I have seen God in every step of my journey. I trust in Psalm 27:13: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”