Solomon Katumbi

Congolese refugee family makes a home in Spokane, but it is not without hard work and heartbreak.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Oct. 4, 2019

Solomon Katumbi sits next to a photo of his brother, Paul, who died unexpectedly at the end of August during an interview on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. Paul Katumbi was a kind of patriarch for the Katumbi family – 10 people who came to Spokane as refugees from Congo in 2015.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Solomon Katumbi talks about his experiences as a young child living in refugee camps in Africa during an interview last month. Solomon graduated from Ferris High School in the spring, where he was the star forward on the soccer team, and has started classes at Eastern Washington University.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The Katumbi family celebrated the high school graduations of Solomon and Elia Katumbi last spring. Standing, from left are: Veronique Changa Changa, the family’s mother; Solomon Katumbi; Paul Katumbi, who recently passed away; a family friend ; and Elia Katumbi. Kneeling in front is Sarah Katumbi with her daughter.

Solomon Katumb Courtesy
Solomon Katumbi talks about his experiences as a young child living in refugee camps in Africa during a recent interview on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. Solomon graduated from Ferris High in the spring, where he was the star forward on the soccer team, and has started classes at Eastern Washington University.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Solomon Katumbi, center, sings the solo during a song performed by the Neema Choir Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 at Life Center Church. Neema is made up of refugee children from Africa and the event Sunday celebrated the arrival of the 10,000th refugee aided by World Relief.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo