This is Esperance Tabisha, a Congolese refugee designer bringing African fashion to a small town in Ontario.

In Kenya, Espérance was known for her entrepreneurial spirit — she ran a small but lively fashion and design business. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the 30-year-old mother had to flee her country in 2010 for security reasons.

She travelled by bus to Nairobi, passing by Rwanda. She then ended up in the Kakuma refugee camp in north-western Kenya. It is home to nearly 200,000 refugees; people who have fled war, violence, or persecution to find safety.

She made custom dresses, shirts and outfits for her clientele of refugees, Kenyans and humanitarian workers from the neighbouring city. Thanks to the support of her husband who took care of their two children born in the camp, she decided to become an entrepreneur by creating her own fashion brand. “Esperanza Fashion & Design” was thus born, giving Espérance a means to feed her family.

In April 2019, the designer and her family received the opportunity to move to Canada thanks to a special program, known as the Blended Visa Office-Referred. The Canadian program helps refugees identified by the UNHCR to resettle in Canada, with the financial support of the Canadian government and a private sponsor.

Words : Sarah Bilson

Ian Patterson Photographer

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