The ABCs of what to do for DV winners once in USA

*Number one.*

*_Visit DSHS Offices in your city. DSHS means Department of Social and Health Services._*

Why?

You have an advantage of having no income and therefore you qualify for many benefits. Get this benefits at DSHS offices

a) Register for food stamp

b) Register for cash benefit

c) Register for free medical insurance for your kids

Getting this benefits will make it easy for you to start your life.

*Number two*

*_Visit social security offices near you if in hurry to start working_*

In order to look for a job, you will be required to have social security number. It is what is called KRA Pin in Kenya. It takes about two weeks to get it but if you visit social security offices five days after arriving, they might print it for you before it arrives via mail. Greencard takes between 21 days to 90 days to arrive but you really don’t need a greencard once you are in USA.

*Number three*

*_Remove all your pride_*

This is very important. The America you are coming to is not there. By the way it does not exist. The America on ground is like a modern Gulf country. Many people arrive in USA with very unrealistic expectations. Don’t say you cant do this or you can’t do that. You need dollars! Start low and grow towards your dreams.

I clean poop all day. I wash disabled people. Sometimes I am standing there waiting for a resident to finish pooping for me to clean it. Yes I do it. Initially I was saying I cannot do it. I was proud. Now I am not. Before that I was wrapping pallets at Amazon. A hard job.

The jobs here have very beautiful names but they are hard jobs. But they pay well.

*Number four*

*_Open a bank Account and a while after get a credit card_*

Visit a bank near you and open a bank account. Once you get a job, go there and get yourself a credit card. Get two credit cards, one from your bank and the other one from Capital One, a lending institution. Use only about 25% of your credit card limit or less. Very important. Having credit cards build your credit score. Aim at getting a score of 720 and above. Your first credit score will be available after six months.

*Number five*

*_Start looking for an apartment or a house to rent_*

Here is how you can find a house to rent. Visit apartment.com. I really love that website because it even gives you a virtual tour of the house. There are other website like zillow.com or redfin where you can get a house to rent.

*Number six*

*_Install Indeed app to get jobs_*

Download and install indeed app, update your resume there to be getting daily updates on jobs available. There are many many jobs.

*Number seven*

*_For parents with kids_*

Do this right now, google this

Schools near _____ put the name of the city where you are going. Start looking for schools where you kids will go to. Public schools in America are free. School fiscal year starts in September. December holidays here are July and August Summer holidays. You will understand once you are here. The medical form you will get from IOM is very important here when your kids is joining school because they will need vaccination history.

*Number what, is it eight*

*_How to find a car_*

You will need a car to move you from point A to point B. You see I did not say, fancy car, just a car to move you from here to there.

You will get that car on this websites carfax.com another website is cargurus.com. You will need a zip code to search this cars. Find a car worth between $2k to $7k. Upgrade later

*Number nine*

*_For those who want to do CNA Jobs do this_*

First of all register for your NAR. You dont need training to get this and you can be employed right away with this one. NAR means Nursing assistant registered. Go ahead look for a job. Then look for a school join and get your Nursing assistant license. It really helps to get that training and certificate. Register on my cnajobs.com or indeed.com to find jobs. Go to job interviews. There are many jobs.

*Number Ten*

*_Find a Kenyan community near you_*

There are very many of us Kenyans here in USA. There are places for Kenyans and just like we group in tribes in Kenya we still do the same in USA. There are Kisii churches, Kikuyu churches, SDA Churches. There are Kenyan clubs and shops and restaurants. There are many many things for Kenya. You will be surprised that you will be speaking more of your language than English. Kenyans are so many.

*Number last one*

*_Culture shock_*

This is a DIY nation. Do it yourself. Carwash ni wewe unajioshea gari. You cook your own food. Many things you will do them yourself. Please respect your boss but remember you have your rights. America tu ni America. So many things changes here. Zero corruption. Like literally there is no corruption.

I wish you guys all the very best and I might update this on my website nomadscentral.com to make it accessible to many.

Now it is time for questions.

What is your question.