The first graduates and staff members from
Cuisine Classique/Catholic Social Services
Refugee Job Training Program for new cooks. August 2011

Mardi and her first class of refugees

Through the diligence
of Ferdinand
Losavi Lossou, Director
of the Refugee
Program for Catholic
Social Services
in Tucson, we have
completed the first
 cooking job training course.
We are all very excited
about this opportunity
and the success of
our first group of students.
There were nine people
who began the class
and seven graduates.
Of that 7, four have
gotten jobs already.

Mardi addresses the
student body at
graduation

This wonderful group
of individuals has endured a life none of us could even imagine.
To now be living in America is a life change beyond belief.
Although remarkable circumstances
and the caring work
of many people have
 enabled them to immigrate here, it is through their own
strength and courage
that they are where
they are today.
To finish this training
while coping with the language differences alone, is a real tribute.

Awarding a diploma

Our students in this first class come from:
Somalia
Bhurundi
Ghana
Eritrea
Congo
and Bhutan
They are now, all becoming Americans!

Ferdinand and Mardi