GETTING READY

COMING TO AMERICA

A personal inspirational story

By Ayan Hussein

The life that I have been through inspires me to do better today and tomorrow. Before I came to America three years ago, I used to go to sleep hungry and walk barefoot because my mother could not afford anything. Even so, when I came to America, I had to leave a place I’d called home all of my life. I had to say goodbye to my old life and to friends, come to a new place and start all over again. Upon coming, I found out that my father, whom I had missed for two years, was homeless.

So for the first year, I was forced to live with my cruel aunt who tried to starve and isolate me. It was like life in Africa all over again for me. The only reason I lived with my aunt was because my father wanted something better for me until he got his life back on track. If that wasn’t enough, kids in school used to make fun of me because of my accent or just because I did not dress or act like them. But I overcame all that and now have friends who accept me for who I am.

I supported my father all the way through until he got his life back and now my younger sister and I live with him. I have seen what a lack of education can do to people such as my older cousins who dropped out of school and my parents, and I never want to end up like that. That is why I take my education seriously.

Thinking about the rough life that I have been through inspires me to take risks and look for opportunities instead of waiting for them. Some of the steps that I have taken are: being a speaker of the National Conference of Refugee and Immigrant women, leading my Somali friends in different festivals in school and getting involved in my community. I know how it feels to come to a new place and start over, that is why I tutored ESOL eighth graders in Math to get them ready for the CRCT Test. Each time I get involved in an activity, I learn about my weaknesses and my strengths.

Being the guest speaker of the National Conference of Refugee and Immigrant women was a life-changing experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet determined immigrant women from all over the states. Seeing these strong women who made something out of their lives inspired me to do better in life. It showed me that I am needed in this fragile world of ours, even though I am an immigrant. I was able to communicate with women who all speak different languages. This experience emphasized my goal of helping poor people.

Being the chair of the Somali team in my high school’s International Club, I had to get Somalis ready for our school’s annual international show. Somalis who wanted to participate in the annual show voted me to lead them. It was an honor and I could not say no. It was hard getting people together and choreographing the different dances, but all the hard work paid off when the show began. During our practices, I learned that people will not always agree with me. There were students who always objected to my suggestions, and to my surprise, I was open to opinions.

If it weren’t for this experience, I would have never found that I am a perfectionist not only with my education, but also with everything that I do. I also learned to be proud of my birth country, Somalia, although I was not raised there. I also realized that not all the people I plan to help in the future will appreciate my efforts.

In 2007, I will be the only one in my family to graduate from high school and have an opportunity to go to college. I have overcome thick and thin and have identified my weaknesses. Although my family does not see the point of me going to college, I know that by going to college I am leaving footprints behind for my younger sisters and brothers to follow, something that my parents never had the chance to do.

Ayan Hussein—Clarkston, GA

When Ayan Hussein shook her principal’s hand on May 25, she knew she had accomplished something amazing. Ayan is the first person in her family to receive a high school diploma. When she moved to the United States from Kenya, Ayan wanted to do great things, but her former life had made her skeptical.

In just three years, Ayan went from being hungry and barefoot in Africa to a high school graduate and soon-to-be college freshman. This fall Ayan will attend the University of Georgia and begin the next phase of her journey. She plans to major in biology. “In Kenya it’s really expensive to go to the doctor,” Ayan explains. “Coming here and going to UGA, I thought why not become a doctor and go back home and make a difference.”

If this doesn’t work out, she’ll return to her other passion, journalism. Ayan first became interested in journalism two years ago when she interned at Vox, a teen newspaper in Atlanta. “I like journalism because it’s expressing yourself through writing,” she says.

When Ayan’s not planning her future, tutoring eighth graders in the English as a Second Language program or sharing her life story with others, she’s hanging out with her friends. “We cook and eat a lot,” she laughs. “During the school year, we usually get together on Fridays and cook out. After a hard week, we’ll choose a house and get together with friends.”

After college, Ayan plans to return to Kenya and put her degree to work. “My mom lives there, so I have to go back,” she says. Until then, their weekly phone conversations will have to suffice.

Ayan has overcome a lot––and accomplished even more. She plans to continue being a trailblazer in the Hussein family and an inspiration to all who come into contact with her.

Townsend Excellence in Journalism Award runners-up
2nd Place: Kayla Miller—Lincoln, Neb.
3rd Place: Noelle Johnson—House Springs, Mo.

*Story from Fall 07 issue