Krazy Squad Series: Makambo Dimathas

A series that offers a peek inside the (part-hustle, part-science) world of KCL. Through these spotlights, we'll showcase the diverse talents, innovative minds, and dynamic personalities that make up our squad. It's not just about highlighting our achievements; it's about giving a real, behind-the-scenes look at who we are and what drives us.

Q + A

Krazy: Makambo Dimathas

Title: Refugee Relationship Manager

1. Brief one-sentence description of what you do at KCL: As the Refugee Relationship Manager, I am responsible for building and maintaining relationships with new refugees and immigrants by supporting them during unforeseen hardships.
2. What inspired you to join KCL? I joined the Krazy Coupon Lady Foundation (KCLF) for three major reasons: First, I admired the work KCLF does with vulnerable communities and the projects it undertakes to provide assistance to the refugee community. Second, I believe that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their background or where they came from. Additionally, I too was once a refugee and understand the experience of being a new immigrant, I consider it an honor to work with KCLF and new refugees.
3. Share a fun fact most people don’t know about you: I really enjoy listening and dancing to Congolese music and playing soccer.
4. What does a typical day look like for you in the KCL Foundation? No day looks the same. Some days, I meet with several families and process intake forms to understand their needs and how we can be of assistance. Other days, I focus on distributing donations, hunting for deals on large-ticket items like furniture and appliances. On other days, we work on project plans for large KCLF initiatives like the back-to-school drive and the World Refugee Day sponsorship, to name a few.
5. What do you find most rewarding about your position as a Refugee Relationship Manager at KCL? I find a lot of things rewarding about my position with KCLF. I love being able to visit and talk one-on-one with refugees in Boise and surrounding cities. Providing clients with emergency rental and utility assistance while they find employment to achieve self-sufficiency is also very fulfilling. We also organize workshops aimed at teaching financial literacy to our clients. Teaching new Americans how they can save money every day or anytime they shop is exciting. Additionally, the trust and open communication between our clients, volunteers, co-workers, and myself to support our community makes the job very rewarding.
6. Can you share a piece of advice or a mantra that has been your guiding light in your career? One of the principles I live by; “Teaching is learning twice. The more you do your work, the better you get at dealing with how you fail at it, do not be discouraged. So, when dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion. Handling people issues is not an easy task but requires perseverance and wisdom.”