One Job for One Year—Oma’s Story

The Advanced Employability class at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) teaches its students that the way to long-term self-sufficiency in the US is to begin with keeping one job for one year.  This approach builds a strong employment record, marketable job skills, and time to learn the English language and American culture.

Oma Tiwari is a star student of this principle. As of June 2013, Oma is celebrating 1 ½ years as a housekeeper with Sheraton Suites.

When Oma introduced herself to me, she described her life’s journey: “Twenty years Bhutan, twenty years Nepal [in a refugee camp], now United States!” Oma delivered this information with an emphasis that suggested she was determined to make her new life successful.

The Bhutanese community is very close-knit and members look out for one another. A year ago, the Bhutanese community’s impression of hotel work as being unsavory or dangerous was based on misconceptions carried along with them from Nepal. Concerned family members and neighbors tried to talk Oma out of pursuing this new opportunity. One friend even tried physically to block her path so she would not go to the interview.

Oma did what she felt was right.  Her quiet, brave act of independence led to a discovery within the Bhutanese community that hotel housekeeping is honorable work. Within days of Oma beginning her job at Sheraton Suites, a number of Bhutanese began inquiring at CRIS about finding similar work.  Today, hotel work is perceived within their community as desirable for a family bread-winner due to its stability and permanence. Oma broke down a barrier that has benefited the entire community.

One and one-half years later, Oma’s family is doing well.  Her husband has gained work experience through a staffing agency and is now looking to move into permanent employment.  The family is celebrating her daughter’s high school graduation, and she plans to study accounting in college (Fall 2013).  The Tiwaris have saved enough money to buy a car, and Oma has her learner’s permit!  At work, Oma is often called upon to train new housekeepers.  Her English has grown, and she has even shared her Nepali culture with the Sheraton Suites staff by organizing a Nepali celebration.

Oma has a wonderful New American story, but there are many others like her.  The staff at CRIS thanks you for your interest in and support of these hard-working people.