Page 36 - May 2019 Voices

LEANNA LISTENS

Chhabi Koirala
Toastmasters Helps Me Help Others

Leanna Lindquist, DTM

Chhabi introduction.

Tell us about your background. Where
were you born? What brought you to

the United States?
My name is Chhabi Koirala, I grew up in a
small village in the country of Bhutan. Honored
to be able to get an education, I received a

diploma in Civil Engineering and served the
Royal Government of Bhutan for two years in
the department of Works and Housing. The
government of Bhutan established a number of actively collaborate with the City of Portland,

discriminatory policies for the people who spoke Multnomah County, APANO, Unite Oregon,
Nepali and I was evicted from Bhutan in 1991. Mercy Corps and other organization. I was
For the next 17 years I lived in a refugee camp. promoted to IRCO Family Stability Program
Even though I faced much adversity and misery coordinator in March 2017.

I was a teacher and a social worker in the camp.
I was resettled to Portland, Oregon, USA in Tell us about your career and what you
July 2008. I started working at IRCO (Immigrant enjoy about it.
and Refugee Community Organization) as a Any immigrant faces not only employment

Workforce Specialist in 2009. As a community and communication problems but also emotional
leader, I actively advocate for my community and and cultural shock. Refugees and Immigrants
help many in ways like counselling, outreach, come from entirely different cultures and
in-home services and organizing cultural events. environments. America is economically very

I am a change agent. In May 2013, I was elected competitive and it is hard for Refugees to
as the first President of the Oregon Bhutanese find jobs. English language is another barrier
Community Organization. I served on the board for refugees, not only to find jobs, but also to
of Refugee Disability Benefits of Oregon and navigate basic requirements such as to make

36 ONE COMMUNITY