Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean Bedel Mwamba Kasanda emigrated to Canada, in Montreal, in 2001. Ten years later, he found a home in St. Georges, rural Manitoba. It was a quick and easy integration into his new community, which welcomed him with open arms.
The Congolese Jean Bedel Mwamba Kasanda has more than one degree in his pocket: a degree in public and industrial economics from the Université de Kinshasa, a degree in computerized financial management from Montreal, and a degree in education from the University of Ottawa.
It is this last diploma that led him to move to St. Georges, in the heart of rural Manitoba, in 2011. “It was in St. Georges that I took my first steps in teaching, at the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine school,” he says.
While the move from the city of Ottawa to the town of St. Georges could represent a radical change, Jean Bedel Mwamba Kasanda quickly made the move thanks to his friendly nature and the warm welcome of the people of St. Georges.
“When I arrived, I was alone. I didn’t know anyone in town. But very soon after my arrival, I joined the town Cultural Committee. I worked to set up a play with the community, and later with the school.
“I took the first step towards my new community, and immediately the people welcomed me. I quickly felt good in St. Georges.”
What particularly caught the attention of Jean Bedel Mwamba Kasanda was the interest the people of St. Georges showed for the French language. A love of the language he shares.
“The French-speaking community of St. Georges is not very big because there are many English speakers, but I like the willingness of the people to want to perpetuate French. In a way, I was immediately involved in making the language sustainable, since I arrived to teach in the Francophone school!”
Doing More for Young People
His desire to integrate in St. Georges, coupled with his desire to share French, gave Jean Bedel Mwamba Kasanda the desire to do more than just teach young people.
“We teach French to young people to perpetuate the language, but I think it is just as important to teach it to adults. The school principal then told me about Pluri-elles and the literacy work that the organization was doing. I thought it was so important to promote francization at all levels!
“So I approached Pluri-elles and suggested that they do francization at the St. Georges Centre. In 2012, I began working with the organization as a literacy coordinator, in addition to being a teacher at the DSFM.”
Jean Bedel Mwamba Kasanda was convinced of the importance of his new mission, because during his first year of teaching in St. Georges, “90% of the children in my kindergarten class didn’t speak a word of French, and I didn’t speak English. So I said to myself that to help them, it would be good if their parents could also speak French.”
For Mona Audet, Executive Director of Pluri-elles, “Jean Bedel is a man of action, a generous man who gives so much to his community. He has been working with our organization for many years and it is an added value to have him on our team, which allows us to offer literacy services in the community of the St. Georges region.”
Promoting Town Life
The teacher also works to promote town life. “I try to make people understand that living in a small town is different from urban life. But just because it’s outside the city doesn’t mean it’s wrong! Life in St. Georges has brought me a lot, enriched me. You take more time to think about yourself and others. In town, everything goes much faster.”
For the gentleman of Congolese origin, one thing is certain: his immigration to Manitoba is a success. “My experience in St. Georges is a success! I think what helped me integrate more easily is the effort I put in.
“I didn’t wait, I went to meet people. I got involved in the town’s activities. I even met English-speaking parents! People laughed at my attempts at English, but always with kindness. To live better, you have to live with others.”
“I came to Manitoba with a service agreement, but I stayed for the love and warmth of the people there.”
