April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
ONE YEAR LATER
Refugee family on way to fulfilling dreams
They had spent almost eight years in Germany as refugees from Bosnia, where the Muslim family had been in danger of becoming victims of ethnic cleansing by Serbian factions in their homeland.
They came to the U.S. in July 2001, sponsored by St. Madeleine Sophie parish in Guilderland. The Albany Regional Office for the Inter-Religious Refugee Resettlement program, an affiliate of Church World Services, arranged the parish-family link.
Recently, The Evangelist returned to see how the family has adjusted to life in America.
Hopes in 2001
A year ago, the younger son, Safet, acted as interpreter through his limited knowledge of English, which he had learned in school in Germany and in his native Bosnia. A cousin living in the U.S. for several years helped.All four family members had qualified to receive financial assistance from the County and City of Albany until they could obtain jobs.
They had hopes and dreams in 2001:
* The older son Izet, 19, planned to find a "nice job in Albany to help support the family."
* Halil, the father, indicated that his main intention was to do the same.
* Safet, 16, was planning to enroll in high school so he could complete his education.
* Mirsada, the mother, wanted to set up housekeeping and then find a job to supplement her husband's income.
Halil in 2002
Halil now understands English, although he speaks in a somewhat reserved fashion. A locksmith who loves his job, he said that he makes "good money" and finds great satisfaction in his work.He feels good about living in the U.S. and is "very much at home" in the small ranch house that his family came to a year ago. His job requires him to leave home at about 5 a.m., but that means that he is back early in the afternoon.
"I need to learn more English," he said, so he can better communicate with his coworkers. "They talk to me, but it is hard for me to talk to them."
Brothers in 2002
Izet, now 20, works in manufacturing and was recently trained to operate computers that package his company's product, compact discs. He began in an entry-level position, but his initiative was rewarded when he expressed an interest in learning the computer skills needed to oversee the robotics operation."After Izet gives our parents much of his paycheck, he saves the rest so he can buy a car of his own," said his brother, Safet. "In the U.S., your car is like your arm."
Safet, now 17, completed his first year of high school with honors. He plans on attending college to study computer-assisted drawing, something that he hopes will help him develop his talent for graphic arts.
Coming and going
During the year, the family purchased a van. Because everyone is coming and going at different times, getting each family member to where he or she needs to be is a tricky process. Izet drives Halil to work early each morning and returns home to take his mother to her job. Safet hops the bus to school.Izet retrieves his father at about 2 p.m., and his father drops him off at work. Several hours later, the father picks up Mirsada at the end of her daily shift. In the meantime, he has prepared dinner at home.
Safet comes home from school on the bus. When Izet is done working in the evening, Halil, Mirsada or Safet brings him home.
Mirsada in 2002
Mirsada works for a local hotel chain. "The people there help me with my English," she said. "They are wonderful people -- kind and very considerate of me."She has found great contentment in spending time with relatives that live in the area. "I love to have people in our home, for barbecues and visits," she said.
In the past year, she has learned to love living in the U.S. "Here, it is easier to live," she said. "When you work, it is with no fear that you will be moved out. It is more permanent; people do not treat you like you are different."
Parish's help
She has a deep thankfulness for the people at St. Madeleine Sophie's, who "have been kind, wonderful people" to her family.Her husband credits the success of the family's resettlement to the connections they've had with the parish, the resettlement program and family members living nearby.
Asked what he liked most about being in America, he quickly responded: "I love my outdoor grill. I love my backyard!"
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