Years after she left Guyana and migrated to the United States of America, Kinda Velloza has written and published a book that offers hassle-free guidelines for other persons who are in the process or contemplating similar relocation.
Her motivation?
Velloza, who is now an Immigration attorney, said when she made the big move, she had no guide of what her next step should be and so, she wants to change that for future generations of immigrants.
She knew she wanted to go to law school but what she didn’t know was that in order to get into schools in the USA, there are several documents necessary and processes to be followed, some specifically linked to settling in.
“Nobody in my circle was able to provide this information to me, so google became my friend,” she said in an interview with the News Room on Wednesday ahead of her book launch in Georgetown on Friday.
The immigration lawyer said scores of her clients came to her with similar challenges and as a result, she decided to write the book based on her personal experiences and those of her clients.
For only US$19.99 it is a short guide of “10 things immigrants should know before coming to America.” It can be read in one day, Velloza advises.
She believes her book offers information vastly different from what can be found on the internet because “it’s first-hand information. It came directly from me and I put all my personal experiences. So, you can google all you want but getting information first hand from someone who went through and is familiar with the process is completely different.”
After leaving Guyana, where she resided in Berbice and worked as a reporter, Velloza settled in New York City where she spent five years reading for her Degree and Master’s. She then moved to North Carolina where she did her Juris Doctorate Degree and then moved to Atlanta where she was admitted to the bar and currently practices law.
For persons who are yet to tread to book, number one on the list is gathering all the necessary information. “The book was written in chronological order.” Velloza said
Although she has Guyanese background and has returned to launch to book here, it is a guide for immigrants throughout the world.
Velloza intends to translate the book into three languages later this year.
The book will be officially be launched at a public event on Friday at Ultimate Image on Hadfield Street Georgetown. Persons interested in a copy can also call +592 615 5007.
