Francophone Migrant Voices of Georgia
The English, French, and Spanish oral histories document the lived experiences of migrants from Latin America and Francophone countries. These narratives highlight resilience, the challenges of migration, and the essential work of nonprofit organizations.
French-speaking students interviewed Francophone migrants at Good Samaritan Haitian Alliance Church in Lawrenceville, GA, in February 2025. Interviews touched on identity, adapting to life in the United States, and hopes for the future.
01
Exila Dulcio
Exila Dulcio was born and raised in Haiti in a large family with six siblings. She was educated in local and Catholic schools and spent 15 years working alongside Catholic sisters in the private health sector. After years of living apart from her husband, she joined him in the U.S. and became a mother of four. Deeply devoted to her faith, Exila is an active member of the Good Samaritan Haitian Alliance Church. She cherishes the natural beauty of Haiti and hopes to one day share it with her children. Her story highlights faith, resilience, and the contrast between communal life in Haiti and the challenges of building community in the U.S.
02
Bedjynah Abraham
Bedjynah Abraham was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the eldest of four siblings. Raised in a supportive household, she aspired to become a pediatrician and worked as an elementary school teacher before migrating. After the 2006 earthquake, her family relocated within Haiti, and she later immigrated to the U.S. through a government program. Bedjynah is deeply religious and finds strength in her faith. She continues to overcome language barriers while staying connected to her Haitian roots through church and community life.
03
Dr. Wadner Normil
Dr. Wadner Normil born in Port-au-Prince grew up in a devout Christian household. He studied psychology in Haiti and later earned a medical degree in Cuba. After practicing medicine in Haiti, he immigrated to the U.S. in 2006. He initially lived in Florida and now resides in Loganville, Georgia, with his wife and young daughter. Dr. Normil emphasizes cultural enrichment through travel, adaptation to new environments, and the essential role immigrants play in society. He has traveled extensively within Haiti and sees immigration as both a challenge and an opportunity for growth.
04
Dalmissa Belzaire
Dalmissa Belzaire was born in Lori, a small Haitian community, and later moved to Port-au-Prince. He married Anne Mirabeau and began visiting the U.S. in 2008 before settling with his family in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He works as an assessment coordinator in an international organization. Dalmissa values the Haitian community, family connections, and cultural preservation through language and food. He hopes oral history projects will help raise awareness about the immigrant experience and inspire cross-cultural understanding.
05
Micheal Joseph
Micheal Joseph was born in Cap-Haïtien and raised in Port-au-Prince by his grandfather while his mother worked abroad. Over time, his bond with his mother strengthened. Micheal eventually immigrated to the U.S., where he reunited with his longtime partner, Nathalie, and settled in Georgia. He speaks of the importance of maintaining cultural ties, family unity, and Haitian identity, especially for his children and community.
06
Nathalie Joseph
Nathalie Joseph grew up in a large, close-knit family in Port-au-Prince. She describes her childhood as joyful and rich with community life. She met Micheal Joseph as a teenager, and after years of separation, they reunited and now live together in Georgia. Nathalie is passionate about passing on Haitian traditions and values, and she views the rule of law in the U.S. as a key contrast to Haiti’s current struggles. Her story reflects cultural pride, resilience, and hope for her children’s future.
07
Kenol Augustin
Kenol Augustin was born in Haiti and raised by his mother. He moved to Venezuela in 1990, where he owned a business, before immigrating to the U.S. in 2014 due to Venezuela’s instability. Now living in Lawrenceville, Georgia, he works as a mechanic. Kenol acknowledges the challenges of language barriers and cultural transition but feels fortunate for the support he received. Though saddened by Haiti’s current state, he hopes to return when it is safer, and remains proud of his Haitian heritage.
08
Yves Saint Jean
Yves Saint Jean spent his life in Gros-Morne, Port-au-Prince, and Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. Raised by a single mother with four siblings, he became a development agent and later a tax agent. He married, started a family, and worked for many years in Cap-Haïtien. Due to threats from armed gangs, he was forced to leave Haiti for his safety. Now living in the U.S., Yves finds immigration difficult but remains hopeful that future generations will see a free and peaceful Haiti. He carries his country in his heart and mind.
