Nadine

“My parents lived in Congo for twenty-five years before moving to Tanzania where I was born. Then, eight years ago, we moved to Memphis. It was hard at first. We tried to learn quickly because we wanted to know what was going on. It took me about 3 years to feel proficient in the language. I’m a high school senior now, and I’m running for president of the International Club at Central. We have students from Asia, Africa, everywhere. I enjoy meeting people and trying to make them feel welcome, like they belong. Sometimes when you don’t look like everybody else or don’t talk like them, you don’t know where you fit in. It can be hard, but you can’t be afraid of people. You have to get to know them and learn how to get along with everybody.
 
“Next year I start college. I hope to become a teacher and work with kids who are just coming to the United States. I really want to give back what I got. My ESL teachers taught me my ABC’s, how to write my name, things like that, and I want to do the same for other children who are new. I enjoy being with kids; I already have some experience working at Christian camps.
 
“At home, my mother also teaches me. We all know how to cook African food now. And she teaches my sisters and me how to sew---two of my brothers too. I make my own skirts and bags. My mom makes bags to sell at Caritas Village, and I make scarves to sell. She shows me how to do many things that will help me in life, things that I can do on my own.”

Nadine, surrounded by some of the scarves she makes:

Nadine's sister and mother are also involved in sewing:

Purses Nadine's mother has made:

BACK TO HOME