Young refugee focused on education, thankful for new friends in Minnesota
On his first day in the United States last March, Sharmake Muse stood in the bathroom of his Minneapolis apartment and listened while a caseworker showed him how to use the shower.
The caseworker, who works for the Minnesota Council of Churches
, an Episcopal Migration Ministries affiliate, pulled back the curtain and turned the nozzle, causing water to gush from the spout. At that moment, Sharmake said the difference between life in the U.S. and life in a Kenyan refugee camp became starkly clear.
“In the refugee camp you wake up early and go to wait for water. It may happen that you wait in line until night and come back without water for your family. Sometimes it would happen that people will fight and kill and lose their life for the sake of getting water,” he said. “Here water is available and there, there is no water at all. It’s really different.”
Sharmake, now 26, spent nearly 20 years living in refugee camps. His father was killed in the violence that broke out in Somalia in 1991 at the outset of the long civil war, and Sharmake was forced to flee the country with his mother and sister.
In 2009, he learned that his family was heading to the U.S., and in March this year they arrived in Minneapolis. The eight months since have been challenging, but Sharmake said he feels hopeful about the future, thanks in large part to the assistance of MCC, and to the help of an unexpected friend.
Linda O’Malley is a volunteer with MCC and a member of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul. Over the years, co-sponsorship teams from her parish have participated in the resettlement ministry, but last winter Linda sought to deepen her personal involvement with refugees.
The staff at MCC asked her to mentor Sharmake, and in the time since she’s introduced him to many aspects of American life.
Linda has taught Sharmake about the postal system, found a donated bike to help him get around, assisted with enrolling his mother and sister in English classes, shown him how to secure a money order to pay bills, and enlisted her husband to teach him how to drive. It’s a partnership that both speak of warmly.
“He’s just so independent, and I’ve learned so much from him,” she said. “I always think, what if my son was in this strange country? I just hope someone would help him.”
Sharmake said that Linda has shown him ways to continue his education and improve his English skills, two goals to which he is unwaveringly dedicated. Sharmake plans to start adult education classes in January, and to build on his experience as a nursing assistant in the refugee camp. He hopes to attend medical school and become a doctor in the years ahead.
And he credits Linda with helping him find the right path in his critical first months in Minnesota.
“With Linda O’Malley, it was good, really. When we came here, she helped us. She really showed me the ways of the United States,” Sharmake said. “I am thanking her; I am giving her thanks.”
Sharmake recently lost his temporary job, but he’s working to find another one while still trying to pursue his education. He’s faced many barriers to get where he is and will likely face more before reaching his goals.
But, like many refugees, he’s grateful for those who have helped him and optimistic about the incremental progress he’s making. He’s even gotten comfortable with using his shower.
“I have now adapted,” he said, laughing. “But whenever I take a shower, I remember those people [in the camp] and the lack of water.”