Steph Ramkissoon '23 grew up in the Capital Region. Schenectady has been her hometown since her first memory, but it's the story that predates her first memory that provides her purpose.
A family of five crossed the border into El Paso, Texas. The mother, father, and three children all under the age of three had made the long and uncertain journey from Haiti. The family found refugee at the Annunciation House, a two-story, red-brick home that provides food, shelter, clothing, and medical care for the undocumented 20 minutes from the border. Paula – the two year old in the family – was Steph's shadow. When Steph would do work, Paula would be coloring on her lap. They formed a special connection because, as Steph put it:
"When I looked into her eyes, I saw myself."
Steph grew up in Schenectady, though she was born in Guyana, a small country on the northern mainland of South America. When she was two, Steph immigrated to the U.S. with her parents. Steph doesn't remember Guyana or what it was like first coming to the U.S., but she never hid from her truth. Instead, she embraced it, and in doing so, discovered her vocation.
"I've always known that I want to be a missionary. I've experienced what a lot of refugees experience. I know the burdens that come with being a refugee. When I meet families, I see my family within them."
Through the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy, Steph discovered a summer internship last year at Annunciation House. She organized the clothing bank and the food bank. She spent time with the guests. She cooked for them and she cleaned the house.
When Steph made it back home at the end of the summer, she immediately began making plans to return. This time, she took five other Saints with her. Steph led an immersion trip to El Paso over spring break. Five students and Brianna Brown, assistant director of marketing, spent a week at Annunciation House. When Steph graduates in May, she wants to be back in Texas.
"I want to do immigration work in the field. I want to be literally on the front lines."
As for Paula, her family is currently in St. Louis. They're staying at a church while the parents look for work, and from time to time, Steph gets a call from Paula with updates.
"She helped me realize that I was her when I came to this country. I was exactly her age. It's very wholesome to see myself 20 years ago. This is what my family went through. When I'm there for Paula's family, I feel like I'm there for my family."
When Steph returned to Annunciation House over spring break, she brought reinforcements. Six Saints, including the chaperone, spent a week serving the refugees. They also took a trip to the border.
"Spending time with the kids and speaking with their parents really helped to put into perspective all that I have and should be more grateful for. Also, just cleaning and organizing the basement was fulfilling work knowing that though it does not directly impact the refugees, it helps the volunteers and workers be more efficient."
Libby Kane '23
