Hidden Heros

Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard - by Mawi Asgedom

I just finished this - if you're looking for an inspiring, and funny, read, this is really beautiful. Mawi fled war and rebels in his home country Ethiopia/Eritrea with his mother, brother and sister when he was three years old, barely escaping with their lives. They travelled by foot, only at night, through the desert, while he was sick and near death. They somehow reunited with his father in a refugee camp in Sudan. Eventually they were sponsored and came to the US as refugees. The book tells of his mischeif, heartbreaks, and triumphs in the camp and then in his new home in the US. Mawi attended Harvard on scholarship and has gone on to lead a successful and inspiring life.

He talks about how every person you meet could be an angel in disguise, sent to test your character and goodness. His brother, at only 13 years old, saw a homeless man shivering outside the library one day, and over the course of a year, secretly helped him find a home and employment.

The thing about refugees is that you usually only find out that people came as a refugee if something bad happens - if they commit a crime, or are deported, etc. If a refugee succeeds and goes on to live a productive, successful life in our country, they blend in and it is likely that their story will never reach most people. So often the image of a refugee is negative or pitiful, and we don't associate with the success stories.

These are tiny snippets of stories of people who I know personally:

- arrived at 9 years old speaking no English, after fleeing country because father was being severely persecuted by corrupt police and feared for his and his family's lives. Now raising a family and works as a counsellor. Has assisted countless people with a wide variety of issues

- arrived at 27 years old, fleeing war-ravaged country. Went on to achieve a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Education. Now raising a family, is manager of department, supervises 18 people, and has won numerous awards for the programs for which responsible

- arrived in late 20's also fleeing war-ravaged country. Went on to achieve a PhD and is now Executive Director of a prestigious organization

- fled war-torn country, is now a beloved and successful teacher

- arrived at age 13 with mother and three sisters, fleeing a repressive regime, father was murdered by government or police in home country. Now 15 years old, she has learned English, achieves top grades, works part-time to help support her mother and three sisters (mother suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder), tutors sisters in English, and constantly seeks ways to better herself.

- most of family killed by war and rebels, including husband. Fled country on foot with her four children, carrying two youngest herself. Now works as a French teacher and student counsellor, raising alone 4 well-adjusted kids who get good grades.

- fled war-ravaged country as hunted, didn't know whether wife and children were alive or dead. Was captured by soldiers and nearly murdered. Escaped. After long search, reunited with family against odds in neighbouring country. Three children have now graduated from university, fourth currently finishing high school.

They're all ordinary people living ordinary, successful, productive lives. Good news is not news it seems, but their stories inspire me.