JHI helps foreign refugees achieve success

Two Jacksonville Hospitality Institute (JHI) students, refugees from foreign countries, have excelled at their training and have earned housekeeping jobs at the Hampton Inn Jacksonville and are scheduled to begin work within a week.

Damber Dhital (left) and Joseph Laltana (right)

"This is very good for us," said Joseph Laltana, from Burma. "I have lots of hope for the future now."

Damber Dhital, from Nepal, echoed Laltana's sentiments, saying, "I'm very encouraged now about my future and this field. And I'm very thankful for the JHI instructors."

Both students agreed they plan to work toward higher positions in the hotel industry.

Laltana and Dhital came to Jacksonville just three months ago, and were channeled to JHI through the Catholic Charities refugee-resettlement program as a way to quickly train for employment and work toward becoming self-sufficient.

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