A quick smile, brown wavy hair and milk chocolate eyes. She smiled and in halting English introduced herself. Edith. Filling out the form she sighed, smiled. 'My birthday? Ha. I'm 50. 50 years.' She scrawled Puerto Rico into country of origin, Spanish under spoken language.
She was new to the service where I volunteer. Literacy Volunteers of Collier County. I had her fill out the paperwork and showed her how to log onto the computer system and use the programs offered. She sat down and got to work, murming English phrases and words alongside a few others who came to America looking for a better life. Edith double checked with me before starting some exercises to make sure she had enough time to finish them. She had an interview in 45 minutes. It was very important. She's unemployed and looking for a job.
A couple of minutes into a new exercise Edith called me over. She didn't understand some of the questions. 'What is hologram? What does 'to forge' mean?' I could see the frustration in her eyes tears hid behind them, not wanting to reveal themselves. I pointed out an easier exercise for her to do. One where she could listen and repeat. She put on the headset determinedly and started a new exercise. Before she left she kissed my cheek and thanked me for the help.
A little while later a couple came in and sat down at the computers. Notebooks and pens in hand, accented English flowing from their mouths they went through the exercises. Before leaving they introduced themselves. Jose and Maria. 'What name?' They asked me. 'Katie' I replied. 'Kaytay,' they responded. Trying my name out, repeating it back to me. I smiled and wished them a good evening. They repeated it back to me, saying the words with a smile and slightly forced confidence. They thanked me warmly for my time, for volunteering, when all I did was sign them in and read a book, while they worked to learn English in order to better their lives in America.
It's hard to leave behind everything you've known and move to a new place with a language that is alien to you. What's worse is being looked down upon because of that. But some do. They talk about immigration and foreigners, the reform that is needed and how these newcomers are stealing jobs from American citizens. It's hard to say what our government should do about the influx of immigrants. But what they shouldn't do, and what often happens in politics, is ignore the individual. The single mother looking for a better life for her children. Those who could find no work and no hope in the country they were born in. Those who chose to come to America not knowing if it would bring more opportunity, but willing to take the chance. Everyone should have a chance to live the American dream - because that dream is not founded on where you're from, but on the right to live happy and fulfilling life.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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Katie, I think this is an amazing post. What you're writing (and living) about is so rewarding to hear. It doesn't take millions of dollars or hundreds of bills signed to be socially responsible. Thanks for this. I can't wait to hear more.
ReplyDeleteThis post was great. This is why I love to volunteer -- not for money, but for the rewards you can feel in your heart afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIt also reminds me of something that happened to me just yesterday. A woman was shopping in the thrift store next to me and casually mentioned to me about having to search on a box for a description in English about the item. She added that all the Spanish on the box "made her sick." Then, not ten minutes had passed before a Spanish-speaking family of about six people came into the store to shop.