I never knew God’s plan for me would’ve been this amazing until now that I look back and see all that I have accomplished through Him. After three long months of boarding school, my seven siblings and I were surprised with the news from my dad that we were going to go visit our “[cucu] sho-sho”–grandma. Our grandma lived in ... Read More »
Upon his arrival to the United States of America, one of Arthur Kinyanjui’s many curiosities involved a McDonald’s drive-thru. The Kenyan native was shocked at the sight of his host speaking into a black box that projected voice. “Microphone?” he laughs today. “That was a big one.” Although Arthur had been born and raised in Central Province, one of Kenya’s ... Read More »
Augustine Williams. Who is he? He is my cousin and plays on a professional soccer team for the Portland Timbers. Ever since he was a little kid, it was his dream to play for a professional soccer team, and now he is living that dream. Growing up, Augustine came from a place where there were many hardships. Being born in ... Read More »
Every time I went outside at night, I was scared to be chased by the police. In my home country of Guinea, the weather is sometimes hot and cold. I went to a private school where I had to pay, and my classes had more than thirty people. Also, dirt is found almost everywhere in the city. There were no ... Read More »
Seconds, minutes, and hours pass by. Her legs are cramping. The market is very crowded with people buying food, clothes, and utensils. Her stand is filled with vegetables and fruits she and her family had grown. This is how they earned money. Daouda (orig: Kadidiatou Diallo) is from a country in Africa called Mauritania. She was born on January 20th, ... Read More »
Imagine coming to America away from your family, but being able to escape the war, the death of your brother, and the strictness of your family from back home. Leaving the country you have known your whole life in the hope that your new life would be better than the one you had before. In hopes of education, freedom, and ... Read More »
Imagine someone came to you in the morning and said, “We don’t like your politics. We think that you’re plotting to overthrow the government….’” So now you’re in jail for 180 days, in terrible circumstances. At the end of 180 days, they can say, “Okay, you’re being released.” Your family are waiting outside in the car to take you home. As you’re getting into the car somebody walks up to you and says, ... Read More »
Check out the inspirational story of Amber Stime, one of the featured storytellers in our salon called “Foreign Correspondents: Immigrant Odysseys” in November, 2014. A bomb changed her life path from Ethiopia to Minnesota. Read More »
Mehdi was twenty years old, the only child in the Kaci family still under 21. This was lucky timing as it allowed him to qualify as a minor child and be a part of his parents’ United States Diversity Visa application. His older brother and sister would have to find another way if they were ever to emigrate to the ... Read More »
Chike Nwoffiah was one of 8 featured storytellers at the Media Center’s salon called “Foreign Correspondents: Immigrant Odysseys.” His story, recorded in this 10 minute video, is “Reflections of a Nigerian American: A Third Identity.” Chike is an adjunct professor at Menlo College, director of plays and films, and founder of the Oriki Theater in Mountain View. Read More »