Laura
Laura was content in her native Kenya, but her stepsister Laurida had a bold idea.
She wanted to apply for the Diversity Visa Program, which makes available 55,000 immigrant visas annually and aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by selecting applicants from countries with low numbers of immigrants.
“My stepsister was like, ‘Hey, can we try apply for this thing?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t think I want to leave Kenya. I want to stay here with my mom, my parents, my family,’ ” Laura recalls telling her stepsister. “But she said, ‘Let’s just give it a try.’ ”
Laurida did all the work, filling out applications for both of them. Laura figured that was the end of the conversation, especially since more than 11 million people apply to the program each year.
But there was news — and Laura was left shocked.
“She didn’t get it, and I did,” Laura says.
Laura told her stepsister she didn’t want to go. But Laurida wasn’t at all bitter.
“Hey, I applied, and I didn’t get it, and you did,” Laura recalls her stepsister telling her. “You got it, so there must be a reason. Just go and try and see how it goes.”
Laurida knew someone in Minnesota, and she made the connection for Laura, who arrived in February 2017.
“It was cold,” Laura says, “and my host was hosting other people. Nine men, and me, but I knew I needed to be brave.”
Laura worked at Amazon but didn’t enjoy the work. Then she got a temp job in packaging at General Mills. Laura, though, wanted more, and she reflected on her educational experience in Kenya. She had gone to school for community oral health, which meant she went and spoke to people at schools and clinics about oral hygiene. So she enrolled at Hennepin Technical College’s Dental Assistant program.
“I wanted to shine,” she says. “I wanted to really shine, and the instructors were awesome.”
Her temp job quickly became full-time, so Laura had an overwhelmingly challenging schedule. She worked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday. Then she raced home, showered and then headed to school, with her first class usually starting at 7 a.m.
So when did she sleep?
“Good question,” she says.
Laura relied on power naps and Kenyan tea, and the support and encouragement of her professors. Classes usually concluded at 5 p.m.
Though it was really hard, Laura graduated in July 2021 with an Associate Degree in Dental Assisting.
“I don’t know how I did it,” Laura says. “But I had two incredible instructors. Whenever I was stuck, they would encourage me, and check in on me. They knew I was working full-time, but they were willing to go above and beyond to make sure I succeeded.
“I want to make them proud.”
Now, Laura is glad she moved to the United States, and her stepsister hasn’t given up.
“We’re hoping one day it will come to happen,” Laura says.
More about Laura
What superpower do you wish you had?
To be able to read people’s minds. I wish I could just see what someone is thinking. That way, when you tell me something that is not what you’re thinking about, I’ll be like, ‘I don’t think that’s what is on your mind.’
What is one of your actual superpowers (something that makes you special and unique)?
My smile. I believe I have that smile, and I warm up to anyone.
If you had a free day to do anything, how would you spend it?
I would go back to Africa and be with my family. Sit around and chat, and see how everyone is doing. Eat some chicken; it just tastes different. And Ugali (Kenyan cornmeal)!
What is your favorite snack?
Gingerbread cookies.
Why do you love your job?
The kids! I just love honest and genuine they are. They just warm my heart.
Favorite fluoride flavor?
Vanilla
Favorite cartoon or animated movie?
Baby Yoda.
