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If you happen to stop into a local Panda Express around Spokane, you might be greeted by a kind man named Noelle behind the counter. Known for his bright smile, strong work ethic, and welcoming spirit, Noelle leaves a positive impression on just about everyone he meets.
At first glance, your interaction with him might feel like a simple, everyday moment. But behind that warm smile is a remarkable story; one shaped by perseverance, growth, and a journey that brought him to where he is today.
Noelle was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For many people, childhood looks like playing on playgrounds, going to school, and riding bikes. Noelle’s upbringing in the DRC was significantly different, marked by conflict and fear, for reasons that span far beyond his lifetime.
The eastern border of the DRC is shared with Rwanda, a country deeply affected by the 1994 genocide. As a result, conflict in Rwanda spilled across the border into the DRC and has left the region in unrest for over three decades. While Noelle was living in the DRC, a rebel group known as the M23 rose up and fighting broke out, leaving innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
“There were nights the military would come, and we would run and hide in the wilderness,” Noelle recalls.
Circumstances in his town became so extreme that Noelle and his family were forced to flee to Uganda. During their escape, Noelle was separated from his parents and lost all contact with them for over nine years.
“Uganda and Congo are totally different,” Noelle says. In Uganda, he had to learn a new language, find a job, and begin building a life from the ground up in an unfamiliar place. That wouldn’t be the last time Noelle had to rebuild his life.
In July 2023, Noelle was resettled as a refugee in Spokane, Washington. He arrived in the United States with three cousins and an aunt, while his parents remain in a refugee camp in Uganda.
Today, Noelle is rebuilding his life once again, this time in Spokane. With each passing day, he finds new belonging. He works at Panda Express, is enrolled in English classes through the World Relief Education Center, and attends citizenship classes. He has learned how to navigate grocery stores instead of open-air markets and is getting familiar with the bus system. He has even found a church community.
“As the days go by, sometimes you feel like you are getting used to it,” Noelle says. “I miss my parents, but my friends comfort me when I am feeling sad.”
With the support of community and opportunity, Noelle’s story is still unfolding as Spokane becomes a place he can call home.