Interview with my Grandmother
by Sanura Simire*
February 2025
Sanura Simire: Thank you for talking with me today. Grandma, can you tell us about your life in Africa before you came to the United States?
Salome Baralengelwa: Sure I was born and grew up in a small village in Congo called Bukavu. Life there was simple and easy. We grew our own food and helped each other in the village. Family was really important to us, and we had lots of traditions. But it wasn't always easy. Sometimes, we had droughts, and money was tight. It was also hard to find good schools and doctors.
Sanura: That sounds tough. Why did you decide to move to the United States?
Salome: Well, my children wanted to have better lives and more chances to go to school and find good jobs. They thought moving to America would help them do that. After talking about it a lot, I decided to go with them, leaving my home and everything I grew up with behind.
Sanura: I can imagine that was hard. What was it like when you first got to the United States? Salome: Oh, it was a big shock. I arrived in winter, and the cold was so surprising. I had never seen snow before! Everything was different - the people, the culture, and the language. My son knew little English, but it was very basic. It was hard to talk to people, and I felt lonely. In my village, everyone knew each other, but here, people were rushing around and didn’t really notice me.
Sanura: What challenges did you have to deal with when you got here? Salome: There were lots! I had to learn how to live in a new way. In Congo, we were all close, but here it felt lonely. I missed my family and friends a lot. I also had to figure out everyday things, like taking the bus, shopping for food, and going to the doctor. Everything seemed so hard!
Finding a job was tough too. The jobs I could do in Congo didn’t work here, so I had to take jobs that weren’t what I was trained for. I started working as a babysitter, which was very humbling for me. Sometimes, cultural differences made it hard to understand my bosses and coworkers.
Sanura: That sounds really challenging. How did you handle all these difficulties? Salome: I leaned on my family a lot. My children were very supportive. We would eat together, talk, and remember our home. I also found community groups with other people from different countries, which helped me feel less alone. Over time, I started to get used to things. I took English classes and learned to mix my old traditions with the new ones I was discovering. This made me feel strong.
Sanura: What advice would you give to others who are going through similar things? Salome: Be patient! Change takes time, and it’s okay to take it slow. Try to enjoy new opportunities but also keep your roots. Find people who can support you; you’re not alone. And remember, every challenge can help you learn and grow. I’ve learned so much, and I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything.
Sanura: Thank you for sharing your story, Grandma. You are very strong and inspiring! Salome: Thank you for listening, dear. Sharing my story helps me keep my memories alive.
Reflections from Sanura: Someone from Congo might come to the United States because life there is tough. My grandma told me that when she was younger, there was a lot of fighting and people had to run away from their homes to stay safe. Even though Congo has gold and other valuable resources, the people don’t get help from the leaders. My grandma said there weren’t good schools, not enough food, and it was hard to find a job. She came to the U.S. to be safe and to give her family a better life.
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