Honore Murenzi Helps New American Africans in Concord

Honore Murenzi arrived in the United States 7 years ago.  Originally from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Murenzi lived in Rwanda as a refugee and later lived in Europe.   He is the father of two grown children both in college; his daughter attends Regent University and his son is at the University of New Hampshire.

Murenzi is the Executive Director of the New American Africans, a supportive self help community group whose goal is to preserve the African heritage while integrating the African community into U.S. society. 

Although his own children are successfully in college, Murenzi has continued to witness the struggles and challenges many African children face in the United States.  “My hope and dream is to help others children that school is better than jobs, I’m struggling to teach our youth to put first school before anything else. That’s my hope, because without school here you are done.”

In December of 2008, Murenzi’s skill at networking helpd him fulfilled his dream of opening an after-school program for African youth at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Concord.  All the children who attend the program are refugees from various African countries.  Currently, the program has 10 middle school children and a handful in high school.  With limited resources the programs manages to run Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  And with the help of volunteers from St Paul’s High School, Concord High School, Hampton High School, New Hampshire Technical College and volunteers from the community, the program is well on its way.

Doing well in school is not only Murenzi’s aspiration for youth, but to maintain and honor and be proud of their cultural heritage.  He has requested African drums to be shipped to the United States to begin drumming classes.   

In addition to the after school program, there are 2 ESL classes for adults.  The ESL classes are also Monday through Friday from 4-6pm.  There are 2 levels “A” and “B” attended by refugees from Bhutan, Sudan, Iraq, and other African countries.  The classes have about 20 adult students each.