Rehema Nahimana Owner at her shop Rim Rasta African Creations Vancouver CANADA Photo By Honore Gbedze
By Jenny Francis The Afro News Vancouver
Rehema Nahimana came to Canada in 2006 as a refugee claimant fleeing persecution in Central Africa. Now a Permanent Resident and a successful entrepreneur, she is an example of how hard work, passion, and creativity can overcome any obstacle. In addition to the traumatic dislocation of forced migration, and the difficulties of learning a new language and culture, Rehema has also struggled with a permanent disability, undergoing major surgery twice since coming to Canada. But she insists that “disability is not inability” and nothing will stop her from achieving her goals. In fact, Rehema says her biggest challenge is being separated from her four children, whose sponsorship applications are held up in the Nairobi visa office, which has the longest processing times in the world according to a recent Canadian Council for Refugees report, Nairobi: Protection Delayed, Protection Denied. The report notes that children waiting to be reunited with their parents are often in vulnerable situations, and the longer the wait, the greater the risk to their security, health and even their lives. Anticipating their arrival, Rehema says, “When I see my kids here I won’t sleep for a week, just looking at them from head to toe.”
Meanwhile, Rehema has not wasted any time. Upon arriving in Canada, she began volunteering to gain experience in preparation for opening her own store, and her life-long dream has come true in Rim Rasta African Creations, where you can find authentic African art and clothing, as well as Rehema’s own unique beaded creations. As an artist with a passion for African culture, Rehema explains that she started her own business in order to be independent, and to create a venue to share her talents with others through beading classes, dance and drumming lessons, braiding, and African spiritual healing. Explaining her original style, Rehema states that “some people think everything can be found in a book, but there is art and healing that comes from the heart and soul, and from dreams, and that’s what I offer people in my store.” Surrounding herself with people is another way Rehema deals with the pain of family separation; when you enter Rehema’s store you become a member of her family. She hopes the store will provide an outlet for her children’s creativity (one son is a musician, and Rehema wears jewelry created by her daughters), but whatever they do, Rehema knows they will succeed because they share her indomitable spirit: “We are all actors in our family—we don’t just talk, we do—from the little one on up.”
Running a business and maintaining two households (one here, another in Africa) is hard, but Rehema is grateful to the many kind and generous Canadian friends who have helped her along the way, and she is amazed at how far she has come. Offering her story as an example to others, she urges immigrants to be strong, seek independence, and work hard for their families: “You have to know what you want from life—then go and get it!”
Visit Rehema at Rim Rasta African Creations for original handmade African wood carvings, leather items, jewelry, and clothing. Register for dance lessons, drumming lessons, beading classes, braiding, and spiritual healing. 657 Moberly Road, Vancouver. Ph: 604 876 606
