Somali coons struggle with language

[Tyrone N. Butts]

52

Learning language, happy to be here, 'to save our lives'

Fatuma Adan and her husband, Musa Matan, were farmers in Somalia until war and ethnic strife caused them to flee. They went to Kenya, where they stayed in refugee camps for several years before coming to Nashville about seven months ago.

''We come to save our lives,'' said Musa through a Somali interpreter named Alrahim Abdi, who arrived in the United States just a couple of weeks ago. Abdi learned English while in the refugee camps, where he spent the majority of his 20 yea
s.

Fatuma and Musa are learning English a little bit at a time at the Village West apartments. The instructors can't speak the couple's native Maymay, but they teach the refugees simpl


e t
ings such as colors, numbers and short greetings with t
he help of gestures and pictures.

And while Musa, 66, gets some medical help for his high blood pressure, Fatuma, 46, works cleaning up at Cafe Coco off Nashville's Elliston Place during an early morning shift.

They seem happy to be here, although they remain somewhat baffled by so many neighbors speaking so many languages. Musa said they all just exchange hellos and how-are-yous and say they are fine in what for many is newly acquired English.

As for her new life, Fatuma said through the interpreter, ''It is good here. "â┚¬Ã…¡ÃƒÆ’”�šÃ”š¦ Since I came here I saw another life.''

But they wonder what has happened to their old friends and their farm. Fatuma said, ''What is behind, I don't know.'' <b
r>
****************
We don't use n-ggers to pick cotton anymore. Go back to Afreaka!

T.N.B.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

Fatuma Adan and her husband, Musa Matan, were farmers in Somalia until war and ethnic strife caused them to flee. They went to Kenya, where they stayed in refugee camps for several years before coming to Nashville about seven months ago.

Elderly somali in 2006

Community garden gives older refugees a 'place to call their own' - Living Faith - Home & Family - News - Catholic Online

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On a sunny morning, refugees of all ages from Somalia, Cuba, Liberia and Sudan gathered in front of the Holy Name Parish Life Center in Nashville to plant a garden. While ...

www.catholic.org

5/14/2006 (1 decade ago)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On a sunny morning, refugees of all ages from Somalia, Cuba, Liberia and Sudan gathered in front of the Holy Name Parish Life Center in Nashville to plant a garden.

Catholic Charities of Tennessee resettles approximately 250 refugees each year. The refugees, who flee their home countries to escape political or religious persecution, come primarily from African and Latin American nations. The garden is especially important for the older refugee population, who are among the most isolated, Soileau said.

Musa Matan, a Somali Bantu elder who was resettled in Nashville through Catholic Charities three years ago, is eager to take an active role with the garden, including daily watering. "He really likes to get his hands dirty and have a purpose," said Kerry Marks, program coordinator with Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services.