John Deranamie spends time with family on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at his home in Sioux Falls, S.D. Half of his Smithfield paycheck goes to his mother and siblings in Liberia, and to save money as part of his plan to return home one day to West Africa. He’s able to support the family he left behind in Liberia as well. The pay increase has helped support his growing family of eight children – six in Sioux Falls and two children from previous relationships. Now, he makes $18.20 an hour as a night-shift utility worker, filling in for various positions across the plant. “I came and filled out an application, and I was lucky to get a job.”ĭeranamie started out as a package worker, sorting product into boxes for $10 an hour. “I hardly believed I would be able to get a job, pay my rent and support my babies,” he said. Paul, and he was lured to Sioux Falls with the promise of a steady job, strong pay and ample benefits at the meatpacking plant. He met his now-wife while he was living in St. He moved to Minnesota when he was 26 years old but he struggled to find lasting employment for 18 years. Sioux Falls wasn't Deranamie's first choice to live out his American dream. Deranamie, a Smithfield Foods employee, tested positive for COVID-19 and has been spending time at home with family since the meatpacking plant shut down. John Deranamie spends time with his youngest son, Nehemiah Deranamie, 1, on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at his home in Sioux Falls, S.D.
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