2008 Woodie Awards
Refugee focuses on education, world politics
Dahlia Seroussi
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Features
Time certainly had passed. His initial two months of walking led him to a refugee camp in Ethiopia, where he lived entirely on corn for four years before resettling once again. A Kenyan refugee camp was the next destination, where he spent another nine years.
Coming to the States was not easy. On the way to Nairobi, Kenya (the interviewing location), Makuei was arrested and incarcerated for four days. Such deterrents made seeing his name on a board of accepted refugees "like a dream."
In the U.S., Makuei is compelled to teach about his journey, "we were very glad to tell people there was another world," he said.
The unexpected kindness was there after all. From random fellow airplane passengers to senators on Capitol Hill, Americans were eager to hear his story and thus "we began to teach the people."
Makuei found a passion for political science, one shared by many of the Lost Boys. "This kind of war gave us more knowledge about the world," he said, "[It made us] addicted to politics."
They were thirsty for education, Makuei said. But he needed money to pay rent, and so after a few quarters, first at De Anza College and then San Jose City College, he is now working full-time in customer services at Avis rental cars. Education remains a priority; he hopes to pursue social studies in the future.
"That's my goal, to have a good education and to help people. Either in terms of government or just social work. That's my mission, that's my goal."
Coming to the States was not easy. On the way to Nairobi, Kenya (the interviewing location), Makuei was arrested and incarcerated for four days. Such deterrents made seeing his name on a board of accepted refugees "like a dream."
In the U.S., Makuei is compelled to teach about his journey, "we were very glad to tell people there was another world," he said.
The unexpected kindness was there after all. From random fellow airplane passengers to senators on Capitol Hill, Americans were eager to hear his story and thus "we began to teach the people."
Makuei found a passion for political science, one shared by many of the Lost Boys. "This kind of war gave us more knowledge about the world," he said, "[It made us] addicted to politics."
They were thirsty for education, Makuei said. But he needed money to pay rent, and so after a few quarters, first at De Anza College and then San Jose City College, he is now working full-time in customer services at Avis rental cars. Education remains a priority; he hopes to pursue social studies in the future.
"That's my goal, to have a good education and to help people. Either in terms of government or just social work. That's my mission, that's my goal."
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Monica Lilian
posted 4/25/08 @ 10:29 PM PST
This was a moving story. I can't imagine the hardships this poor man had to endure. I wish him much success in pursuing his education, and realizing his dream. (Continued…)
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