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

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

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

"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

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

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

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!"

(09-26-02) [[In-content Ad]]