Refugees and Immigrants Week 2025

Refugees & Immigrants Week 2025 brought our community together through powerful experiences of healing, culture, youth empowerment, and celebration. Throughout the week, community members gathered for meaningful events including Parenting Talks, where refugee and immigrant parents shared experiences and explored ways to support their children while navigating life in the United States; the Youth Soccer Tournament, which brought together young athletes through teamwork, cultural pride, and community connection; and the Youth Garden-to-Table Cooking Experience, where youth learned traditional cooking skills, harvested fresh produce, and celebrated the cultural traditions passed down through generations.

The week also featured the Musenyi Film Premiere, a powerful storytelling experience that amplified refugee voices and created space for reflection and dialogue. Together, these activities created opportunities for healing, learning, and connection—honoring the resilience of refugee and immigrant families while celebrating the diverse cultures, stories, and strengths that make our community thrive.

Soccer Tournament

The 2025 Refugees & Immigrants Week (RIW) Soccer Tournament showcased extraordinary talent, passion, and cross-cultural unity on the field! Eight diverse teams representing DR Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Cameroon, South Sudan, Kenya, and Ghana poured their hearts into every match.

Beyond the fierce competition and thrilling moments—culminating in an electrifying final showdown between Kenya and South Sudan—this tournament proved that soccer is more than just a game; it is a bridge that connects lives, empowers youth, and strengthens community bonds.

To honor the dedication of every player, coach, and supporter who made this event unforgettable, the celebration concluded with a vibrant Community BBQ on July 26th at 5:00 PM (850 Central Ave N, Kent, WA). Neighbors and families gathered to share delicious food, uplift one another, and celebrate the rich diversity and resilience that define our community.

Together, we continue to build a future rooted in Unity, Opportunity, and Respect.

Participating Countries

Cameroon
Djibouti
DR Congo (DRC)
Ethiopia
Ghana
KENYA 🏆 (Tournament Winner)
Somalia
South Sudan (Runner-up)

Youth Cooking

Our youth, ages 6–17, enjoyed an exciting day of cooking, gardening, and cultural learning! Starting in our community garden, youth harvested fresh ingredients before heading into the kitchen with our amazing community aunties to prepare traditional dishes including fish, chicken, beans, cassava leaves, fufu, turkey, and amaranth.

This hands-on experience helped youth build cooking skills, appreciate where their food comes from, and celebrate the cultural traditions that bring our community together. At the end of the day, our young chefs proudly shared their creations with guests.

A special thank you to our parents for supporting this experience and to The Magic Cabinet for sponsoring this meaningful event and helping us create opportunities for youth to learn, connect, and grow.

Pictures

Parenting

July 30, 2025

As part of the 5th Annual Immigrant and Refugees Week, the Congolese Integration Network’s Early Learning Department hosted a meaningful Parenting Talk designed to create a safe and supportive space for refugee and immigrant parents to connect, share experiences, and navigate the journey of raising children in the United States.

The session brought together parents of young children ages 18 months to 4 years old for open conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities of parenting in a new country. Families discussed topics including early childhood development, education, cultural identity, and how to access resources that support children’s growth and well-being.

For many refugee and immigrant families, adapting to a new culture while preserving their heritage can be challenging. These conversations provided parents with practical tools, culturally responsive guidance, and an opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences. More importantly, they reminded families that they are not alone and that a strong community can help them thrive.

Musenyi

On July 31, 2025, the Congolese Integration Network proudly hosted the premiere of Musenyi, a powerful short film directed by our Director of Communication, Malaïka Malumata, at our Tacoma office. The event brought together community members, partners, and supporters for an evening of storytelling, cultural celebration, and meaningful dialogue about the experiences of refugees living in camps. Through the film, live music, traditional performances, and Congolese cuisine, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the resilience, strength, and humanity of displaced communities. The premiere was more than a film screening—it was a celebration of culture and a reminder of the importance of amplifying refugee voices. We thank everyone who attended and helped make this unforgettable event a success as we continue building understanding, compassion, and stronger communities through storytelling.