Georges Budagu Makoko Contributed photo
In the second talk from a new series on the immigrant experience, Camden Public Library plans to host Georges Budagu Makoko for an online presentation at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20.
Makoko will talk about his journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the U.S., his experience seeking asylum in Maine, and his transition to citizenship. He will share thoughts about the kinds of help that immigrants need, and read excerpts from his memoir “Ladder to the Moon: Journey from the Congo to America.”
Makoko’s appearance is co-hosted by Connecting Across Cultures.
He is the founder of Ladder to the Moon Network and co-founder of the “Amjambo Africa” publication.
Makoko was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to Rwanda in 1994 because of political unrest in his country. He graduated from National University of Rwanda with a degree in business administration and moved to the United States in 2002, where he sought and received asylum.
Makoko worked as senior property manager for 15 years with Avesta Housing. In 2012, he was awarded site manager of the year, a joint award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service and Maine Rural Development. He is the director of Residential Services at Serenity Residential Care, LLC, and speaks more than six languages, including English, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, and Kinyamulenge. He believes in advocating for peace, reconciliation, and justice for all.
To request a link to attend, email jpierce@librarycamden.org. For more information about this and other programs from the library, visit librarycamden.org.
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