Schools Put New Mainers to Work
- January 10th 2025
- Community
Kondi Nsimba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, works as a custodian at Sanford High School.
Photo: Jennifer Davie
By Jennifer Davie
A year and a half after arriving in Sanford, many immigrants are doing jobs that have been historically hard to fill, including custodial positions with the school system.
Louisma Dosou of Haiti, Kondi Nsimba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nzita Lubita of Angola are helping to keep three different city schools in good shape for students and staff. All three have lived in Sanford since May 2023. Their countries and backgrounds are different, but all three have dreams for themselves and their families in their new hometown.
“My work has helped support my family by paying household expenses and opening new opportunities for my family,” said Nsimba, a custodian at Sanford High School.
These are not the first jobs for the three, who like other asylum seekers had to file paperwork with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service and then wait six months for their work permits. Dosou and Nsimba, both married with three children, each found quick employment with spring landscaping companies after receiving their work permits. Lubita, a single mother with two daughters and two sons, started working at the Shaw’s warehouse in Wells.
They worked hard in their first jobs in York County, but each of them knew that they wanted something that offered more opportunity. The Sanford School District was an excellent fit, one that has offered them consistent employment with the hopes of continued opportunity. All three work second shift, late afternoon and evening. Dosou works at Margaret Chase Smith elementary school and Lubita at Sanford Middle School.
Jason Dudley, director of facilities and maintenance for the School Department, said the three have been good hires. “There were communication challenges with each of these employees in the beginning, but we have worked through those challenges and each of these new employees has come into their own and they are doing a great job,” he said. “We are lucky to have stability and consistent, familiar faces filling these positions on behalf of our staff and students.”
The workers say it’s a good deal for them, too. “I like the work conditions, said Dosou, who worked in education in Haiti. He said he appreciates “the way we are treated … the way they talk with us and the type of discipline we receive.”
There have been some challenges for the three. Lubita had to find childcare to accommodate her new schedule. Dosou and Nismba don’t have driver’s licenses and needed to figure out transportation. But they’ve found solutions that work so far. Lubita found childcare, Dosou rides his bicycle to work, and Nsimba walks.
Dosou, Lubita and Nsimba all have dreams for themselves and their families as they carve out their place in Sanford. They hope to own homes here and to give their children access to a superior education through the city schools. They all say they love Sanford and are grateful for the kindness that has been extended to them from an abundant number of community members.
