What does citizenship mean to you?
To Mon Pati, becoming a U.S. citizen is not only the next step in her immigration process, but it means the world to her.
Imagine having your citizenship taken away. Mon doesn’t have to.
Mon’s citizenship in her home country of Bhutan was revoked in the early 1990’s due to long-standing ethnic discrimination. Along with over 100,000 others, she was forced to flee and make the long journey to a refugee camp in Nepal. After more than 20 years without a nationality, Mon and her family are making Greensboro, N.C. their home, and are embarking on the long process of becoming U.S. citizens.
Mon is a dedicated student at the evening Glen Haven Community Center citizenship class. Joined by fifteen of her neighbors, Mon studies the hardest part of the citizenship exam: U.S. history, geography, government, and civics.
“I want to come to citizenship class every day so that when I get my citizenship, everyone in the neighborhood will want to come.”
She works hard, preparing for the test and practicing the 100 multiple choice questions. Once she and her husband save up the requisite costs – the application fee of up to $725 per person, and the legal fees ranging from $225 to over $1,000 – they will continue with the application process.
You can support Mon on her journey to become a U.S. citizen. A one-time gift of $30 covers the cost of three citizenship classes per week.
Join us today on the first day of our Giving Tuesday campaign with a contribution. You can make an impact on women in our community like Mon.
Maybe next year, on election day, you’ll see Mon voting alongside you.
The holidays and the end of the year are a time when many of us are moved to give. Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27th, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is a global day of giving following the shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Read more about our Giving Tuesday and year end campaign and the ways you can impact the lives of our newest neighbors during this difficult time.