People's District

Monday, May 9th, 2011

“I am from East Africa, from a place called Ethiopia. I am coming here in the United States almost eight years ago to make a better life. Back in Ethiopia, we have some freedom and life is okay, but I want more for my children. My daughter is nine years and my son is 14 years. I want them to have more opportunity. Education used to be more important in Ethiopia, now kids go to less school and there are less chances.

“When my kids were one and five, I left them with my Dad and sister and came to Washington. I miss my kids, but it was not too difficult for me to leave them in my home. For my kids, it is good that I am here. I am here so that they can come live in the United States and go to college. I am working to get my citizenship and will bring them over soon.

“The United States has been good to me, but I hope that my children will like it here. I think that my daughter will like America, but my son will not. He watches too many movies and gets scared about life here. He calls me everyday and tells me to be careful of crime or drugs or cars or whatever else he watches on the TV. He is a very sweet boy and prefers to be with all of my family in Ethiopia.

“I will be so happy when they come to be with me. Right now, I am all by myself. I am a single Mom in Washington and I don’t have any family here with me. Some people will hear this and think that my life is difficult. It is not. In America, I have freedom and people help me. When I first came here, the United States people gave me good information. They told me what was good and bad for me. These nice people helped me to live and work in my new home. For that, I will always love the United States people. My big problem is that I miss my kids, but the United States people is helping to bring them over to me.”