Hema

I just returned home from the first meeting with the woman I’ll be mentoring for at least the next 6 months.  Her name is Hema and the only language we have in common is a smile. She’s 24 years old, two years older than I, but has only a 5th grade education. She speaks no English and is hard of hearing. She lives in a small apartment with her two brothers, sister, brother-in-law and their 2 month baby.

Hema and her family are from Bhutan, but came to Chicago from a refugee camp in Nepal, where they lived for 18 years. As her brother said, since they were six. I simply cannot imagine what that was like. Their parents are still in the refugee camp in Nepal but they hope to get them to Chicago within the next few years.

Things aren’t easy for Hema’s brothers at the moment. Even though they both speak english, neither can seem to find a job. Given the economy that’s no surprise. They are depending on the help of Interfaith to provide for them but like all nonprofit organizations, 2009 hasn’t been financially stable for them.

My goal over the next few months is to get Hema and her family better acclimated to Chicago. Taking them on trips, like to the zoo and museums, teaching Hema how to use public transportation by herself and how to determine the right things to eat at a restaurant or buy at the grocery store. It’s not going to be easy but I must also help Hema learn english and make sure she goes to classes.

We shall she how it all goes down but I will be sure to blog about it here.

1<3 Candance