My name is Mapendo Shamamba Bijoux, and I would like to share my journey with you. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, my family and I were forced to flee our home in Beni, North Kivu, in 2016 due to the violence and insecurity in our area. Today, I live as a refugee in Kampala, Uganda, with my three wonderful children.

My story is one of passion and unwavering hope. I pursued studies as a chef and developed a deep love for cooking. Cooking is not just a profession; it is my art, my way of creating memorable experiences and sharing smiles. However, circumstances have left me unemployed, and my talents remain untapped in our refugee camp.

I am reaching out to your organization with the hope of an incredible opportunity that could change my life—a job in Canada. I am driven by the desire to build a stable and secure future for my children, where I could also contribute to enriching the local culinary culture with my passion and unique skills.

My dream is to continue learning and improving in the culinary field, and Canada would be the perfect place for that. With its diverse cuisine and cultural inclusion, I am confident that I could not only thrive but also make significant contributions to the Canadian culinary community.

I humbly appeal for your sponsorship and support so that I can achieve this dream. Your help could offer a new life for my children and me, filled with security, opportunities, and the hope of a better future.

I am available to discuss this opportunity and any way I could make a meaningful contribution to your organization. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request, and I hope to have the opportunity to share my passion for cooking with you.

With gratitude,

Mapendo Shamamba Bijoux