Lynda Kana

State: Kentucky
Country of origin: Congo
Arrival in the U.S.: 2014

Lynda Kana is the Refugee Congress Delegate for Kentucky. She is a resettled refugee from Congo and fondly recalls a warm welcome when she and her family arrived in Kentucky, including a fridge full of food, assistance with medical appointments and opportunities to learn English.

Five months after arriving, she knew she wanted to give back and volunteered to help as an interpreter at Kentucky Refugee Ministries. She pursued training and received certification as an interpreter, and started helping fellow refugees, using her knowledge of seven languages.

Kana also volunteers as a radio DJ, where she shares African songs to help fellow Africans feel more at home and introduce Americans to her favorite music.