St. Louis Africans Give Thanks and Celebrate Unity

November 26, 2000

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On November 26, 2000, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that "what was likely the largest, most diverse group of African refugees ever to congregate in St. Louis met Saturday for food, song and dance at St. Pius V Catholic Church. The event was organized by the African Refugee Service, a 3-month-old agency that attempts to support people fleeing violence and persecution in African countries. The vast majority of the 175 people who attended the Thanksgiving-themed event have come through enormous stress, said one of the organizers. Besides the meal, Saturday's program presented music and dance evocative of the guests' homelands. 'We all faced difficult problems, yet we are here now, and we have a lot to thank God for,' said Zed Minale of the African Refugee Service. Minale is a native of Ethiopia and a former refugee herself. The countries and nations represented at the event Saturday included Congo, Sudan, Liberia, the Ogoni people, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Benin, Ghana and Kenya, said Noble Obani Nwibari, the master of ceremonies. And though the event was held at a Catholic church, the religions represented were diverse, including Roman Catholics, Christians of other denominations, Muslims and people who follow tribal religions, he said...An assistant pastor at the church, the Rev. Joseph Kaberia, said the refugees are thankful for the freedom...Not all in attendance were refugees or even connected in any way to Africa. Lucy Ann Bailey, a parish member at St. Pius V for more than 40 years, came just to try African food and meet new people. She says she's proud to attend a church that has such a wide range of ethnic groups. 'This is so interesting and educational,' she said. 'I think we're very cultured in this parish.' A very recent transplant to St. Louis, Benjamin Kitobo, said it felt good to be among so many Africans, even if they are from many different backgrounds. Kitobo, a refugee from war in Congo, arrived in St. Louis this spring. 'It is a very different way of life here than where we are from," he said. "This helps us feel united, like we have some roots.'"