by Tristen, St. Joseph Worker 2004-2005

I have had many rich experiences at Sarah’s, including conversations and getting to know very deep-spirited women.  One particular experience occurred when my youngest sister, a junior in high school, talked to a woman at Sarah’s about a school project on Africa.  I had had many conversations before with this woman, and I knew that she would be helpful in explaining a broad African Colonial history to my sister.

I told her she should be a professor and that one day she will be.  She laughed and says, “yes, but for now I work at a bank sorting through checks.”  She said if she were to be at home, she would be in prison because of her education and aspirations, and that many of her friends were.  She is happy to be free in the United States, even though there are definite difficulties facing her.  I have hope that one day we will realize the valuable wealth we have in people like her, who could be enriching the minds of our students. 

This is only one example of the many encounters I have had at Sarah’s.  I can use this experience at Sarah’s for the rest of my life and share what I have learned with others, hopefully helping our immigration system and creating real wealth; that is knowledge, in this country, through the rich minds like this woman at Sarah’s.