“When you help another individual you grow yourself, in ways you will never understand. It’s important that as I succeed in my life that I should be able to give back to others and make the world a better place. That is really my mantra.”
In Uganda, Jacqueline worked for the United States Agency for International Development. Because of her excellent work for the organization, she was awarded a Special Immigrant Visa to come to the United States.
Jacqueline made the difficult decision to leave behind a large and close extended family in order to give her three teenage children the best chance to achieve their dreams. The family arrived in Washington, D.C. in early 2017. Jacqueline immediately focused on getting the children into school and starting her job search. With more than 15 years of experience in international development, she believed she would easily find a job in D.C.
But months went by with no response from employers. The family was surviving on Jacqueline’s dwindling savings. Even more distressing, Jacqueline feared that the future she imagined for her children in America would not come true. Jacqueline learned about Upwardly Global from a woman, a refugee, she met at a networking event. She was quickly matched with a coach who worked with her on her resume, cover letter, and job search strategy. The very next week she started getting phone interviews and was soon hired as a Risk Management Specialist by Chemonics International, a leading international development company.
With financial stability, Jacqueline is able to help her children pursue their interests in music and photography. The family is spending more time together on their favorite activities–playing board games and exploring the city they now call home.