Marie-Rose Sirikari was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, came to the U.S. as a refugee and is now a U.S. citizen. While in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she was a delegate to the Pan African Christian Women Assembly, where she fought for the right of women to participate in public affairs and educated her countrymen on domestic violence and AIDS. Now a resident of Germantown and founder of the African Women Council Inc., she works to help her fellow immigrants.
When did you decide to form the African Women Council?
In 2002, I traveled for the first time back to my country — people were living in a nightmare because of our war. Women were living in the shadows. I thought we are blessed so we can really help those who were left behind.
Then I found out people in Gaithersburg, people in Montgomery County needed help, too. I said why I am trying to help people outside the U.S. when there are people who need help locally?
What does your group do?
We help African immigrant women to find a job, we help get them health insurance, we give them referrals to clinics where they can get medical care.
What about male African immigrants?
We help them,too. We have a program to teach American culture. This is especially important for men who are often reluctant to learn the culture. Sometimes they do not understand the rights of women here.
What are the cultural differences?
Some men try to stay like life is in Africa. They are surprised when women speak out, and then there can be domestic violence. Culturally they don’t understand this is not OK here.
What are your group’s overall goals?
We want to help people become self-sufficient. We want our members to own homes, own businesses, have jobs, live a normal life here in the U.S.
