Tabisha Esperance was born in Goma, DRC in May 1990. When she was a child, Congo was plunged into a devastating civil war which officially ended in 2003, although fighting continued in the eastern part of the country, which led to many of the country’s nationals fleeing to other countries. One of them was Esperance.
“Life was okay until my family was in total insecurity and threatened to be killed,” Esperance told The Weight She Carries. “I was living on campus. What happened separated me from my family as I had to leave and seek shelter. I do not know if my family is still living or deceased; the feeling, I can’t explain [it].”
Esperance recalled her journey to Kenya.
“I traveled by bus, passing by Rwanda via the Gisenyi-Cyanika border to Kampala-Malaba to Nairobi. From there the UNHCR sent me to Kakuma,” she said. “I have resided in Kakuma Refugee Camp since 2010.”
Kakuma is a town in north-western Kenya. It is the site of a UNHCR refugee camp, which has been in existence since in 1992.
When asked about the impact of living as a refugee, Esperance said the refugee status was initially something that she was hid.
“Being a refugee was not something that I could be proud of because I never believed it could happen to me. I’ve seen war in my country, but I couldn’t believe myself being in that position,” she said. “I had to learn that being a refugee is not a choice, but life circumstances. And it can happen to anyone.”
It was only when she saw clients responding positively to her business on social media that she let go of the shame surrounding being a refugee. She received more positive feedback following an interview she did with the UNHCR.
“My story was inspiring to people. I felt like my life added value,” she said. “I became proud of being what I am today because people always come to me for counselling as a good mother of two, a wife and one of the best fashion designers in Kakuma Refugee Camp.”
Esperance said she always loved fashion.
“When I was a child, I loved playing with dolls and making clothes for them. Sometimes I could even make my own dolls, dress them with just a needle and thread. At 12 my mom expected me to behave like a ‘big girl’ but I could not stop; I loved designing,” she said.
Esperance decided to study fashion in school where her passion was fired up by annul runaway shows for all fashion students.
“I was studying at Lycée Chemchem, where I was more inspired when I saw a wedding gown on the runway. I was very surprised because I couldn’t [take] my eyes off it. I simply loved it and I told myself that I [would] also make my [own] wedding gown,” she said.
She borrowed a sewing machine and managed to eventually buy her own machine after working for a year. This led to her brand, Esperanza Fashion Designs, which is based in the Kakuma Refugee Camp. Business has been going well, although finances still present a challenge. However, she remains positive and also finds comfort from her husband, a fellow Congolese.
Esperance gives the following advice to other women:
– Always focus on your goals no matter what you’ve been through.
– Be assured that being a refugee or having any other status doesn’t change your destiny.
– Prioritize your family. When you’re united, nothing is impossible.
– Don’t forget that you have God in your life. He never changes; He’s the same God.
Visit Esperanza’s website at esperanzafashiondesign.wordpress.com.
