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Adapting to a new country with limited resources or knowledge of the language can be challenging for immigrants and refugees. That’s where Amani Kids comes in. The Charlotte-based organization was founded last year by Binti Muzuri Tady to provide a smoother transition for families than she had when she came to the United States.
Tady grew up in the French-speaking Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where she earned her degree in international law. After gaining admission to the U.S. through the diversity visa lottery, she migrated to Charlotte with her husband in 2014 in pursuit of a better life. Tady came here knowing no English and struggled with the language barrier.
“When I came here, I hid my degree,” Tady said.”Because no one could believe that you have a bachelor’s degree in international law, but you don’t know how to speak English. I was feeling ashamed to tell people I have a degree.”
Things changed for Tady about two years ago when she was connected to the International House in east Charlotte. The organization was founded in 1981 with the mission of helping immigrants and internationals thrive in Charlotte.
Tady began to quickly pick up English through courses there, and as she worked toward a degree in early childhood education at Central Piedmont Community College.
She’s now an assistant teacher at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and she works with students with disabilities. Her passion for helping children is one reason she wanted to start an organization supporting immigrant and refugee children and families. That dream became a reality with the help of the International House executive director, Autumn Weil. Tady said Weil instilled in her the confidence to pursue her dreams of starting her program.
“She told me, ‘You are capable, smart, and can do it!’” Tady recounted. “I told her, ‘I don’t speak English that well,’ and she said, ‘I can understand everything you say.’”
The International House provided Tady with school supplies that she distributed to children in her Congolese community at one of the first events she hosted in 2022. She gave out about 25 backpacks, along with the school supplies.
Amani Kids works with over 100 youngsters between the ages of 3 and 18. Most of them are from the DRC, but the program also includes children from other African countries such as Somalia, Uganda and Kenya. Tady conducts weekly tutoring sessions to help the children improve their English. She also speaks with parents about things left in their children’s backpacks, like homework assignments.
“I can see maybe a note from the teacher, and I read it. I explain to them that you have a letter from school, and the teacher wants you to do [ x, y, z],” Tady said.
Amani Kids has several people on call who speak different languages to help translate things like homework assignments and doctor’s notes.
Another goal of the program is to help the children and their families get to know Charlotte. The program has taken some kids uptown, for example.
“Even some of the parents who came here two years ago have never been uptown or have never been to the museums,” Tady said. “What I’m trying to do is teach, and help them how to integrate and learn about where they live.”
As Tady works to expand Amani Kids, she says she would like to connect with those who share a similar mission of supporting immigrant and refugee families.
“I want to collaborate with all the organizations … everywhere they help kids succeed,” Tady said. “I want to have close collaborations that help my community to be integrated and involved.”
