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Kenyan Mitumba Seller Wins Green Card, Narrates Joining US Air Force after Moving

 

Bernard starts mitumba business Unlike many other people who applied for the US Green Card many times before winning, Bernard won the DV 2023 after applying for the first time. "My journey to the US started in 2017 when I received a fake letter from Central Michigan University. I started applying for a passport but I became suspicious when they sent me an M-Pesa for the visa. I wrote to the American Embassy who told me university mails end edu," said the entrepreneur. "I was so heartbroken because I had used so much money. At that time I used to buy mtumba from Gikomba and sell at Kericho open air market. in Bomet and Kapkatet. On Tuesday, I would bring clothes from Nairobi, on Wednesday I sell leftovers and Thursday, I finish all of them," he revealed on the Kenyan American YouTube channel. Benard graduated from high school with an impressive B-score but never joined university because of financial constraints. He turned to the mitumba business, which sustained his family comfortably. "I joined Kenyatta University for B.com Finance, a parallel course and started researching on how to go to the US," he disclosed. Before DV23 started, Bernard started taking photos and formalizing his marriage because he had faith he would win. Green Card lottery application In October 2021, he applied, and on the second day, he also applied for his wife as the main applicant. "Mine was successful my wife's wasn't. Winning is not enough, processing costs an arm and leg. The medical interview was slated for September, while the interview at the embassy was slated for October. I didn't have enough money for four people, so I sold my plot for KSh 1.5 million," said the military man. Benard had to part with KSh 157,000 in medical costs, an embassy fee, a production fee for the Green Card, and air tickets. "After winning, the issue of hosting came up, and I wrote to friends, but they refused. Someone sent me his address DS260 and submitted it. I ended up being hosted by my stepsister," he said. Benard enters USA "I paid KSh 425,000 for my flight and entered the USA through Chicago; 10 Days later, my social security came in and 26 days later, the Green Card came in so I started looking for a job," he explained. READ ALSO Dad Arrested for Stealing Car Radio Said He Stole to Feed Family: "Niliiba Kusaidia Familia" "My first job was Home Depo and later I looked for recruiter. I researched online and after my application the recyiter came for me and we finalised everything else. I joined the airforce because of the age factor; it was only airforce and the navy that were looking for people of my age. Eventually, the army called Benard, and the process of hiring him started. He sat for an exam and passed for a cyber security position, but unfortunately, he was not a citizen by then. "I settled for a finance position; I am now a Finance Controller. I also aced the Military Entrace Program Station which checks for substance abuse and passed," he said. Benard starts working in the US Air Force. "In April I went for training and I had a problem with marching and saluting. They also shouted at us ...they wanted to break us. It's a controlled environment and I graduated on May 26," he revealed. Since Benard already had an NSIS, the process to become a US citizen started, and the military has a base for that. "You are given questions and answers and the fifth week I was sworn in as a US citizen and automatically my kids became citizens. I will have to petition for my wife," he saikd. "A military job gives you citizenship within a few weeks and accommodates you with your family. They pay your allowance on base of off base. The is a mortgage loan at zero interest and you will only be charged inspection cost for your house," he revealed. Subscribe to watch new videos Kenyan man spends KSh 1.6 m on Green Card In another story, a Kenyan man who was left behind by his family after they moved to the US cl, claimed that he spent KSh 1.6 million applying for the Green Card lottery. He finally arrived with his wife Hannah and their three kids in the US, a dream he had been nursing since 2010. At one point, Vincent got a five-year visa but opted to come home so that he could get a permanent one.  

 by  Susan Mwenesi 

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