Login / RegisterCentre of Integration for African Immigrants shuts its doors despite Paul Mulangu's hunger strike
A nonprofit group described by its founder as the only organization dedicated to serving African immigrants in the Lower Mainland has folded.
Paul Mulangu had tried to save the New Westminster–based Centre of Integration for African Immigrants from closure through a hunger strike that lasted more than two weeks, but to no avail.
“We don’t have anything to do anything,” Mulangu told the Straight by phone on November 1. “We really don’t know now what to do.”
The Congo-born Mulangu established the organization in 2001 to help African immigrants. It provided services like language training and assistance in job applications.
Its funding from the provincial government was not renewed. The centre had also accumulated arrears in rent with its landlord. Mulangu went on a hunger strike in front of the centre’s office starting on October 11 and lasting until October 27.
Mulangu is running as an independent candidate for New Westminster council in the November 19 election.
