6,000 miles and a chance: My mom's pursuit of a better life
The decision to leave home is never an easy one. Immigrating 6,000 miles for a chance at a better life is a significant risk.
RadioActive’s Idrissa Gaye tells the story of how his mom, May Gueye, said goodbye to friends, family, and a stable job in Senegal to pursue higher education in the United States.
[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]
I
n Senegal, my mom worked with the World Bank to help finance the construction of schools and hospitals. As she advanced in her career, she realized that learning English could lead to even greater job opportunities.
"I always wanted to pursue my studies, study more, get more degrees," she said. "And I just wanted to learn [English]."
In 1998, she decided to move to America. This decision did not come easily. She had to leave behind important people and a stable job.
"I would not call it sacrifices, but things that you leave behind that meant a lot, like leaving my mom behind. And I had also close relationships with my brothers and sisters," she said. "Also leaving my job, because I had a good job there. But leaving the job and just coming to an unknown was kind of difficult. But I was just looking into, what can happen once I finish my studies?"
At first, it was tough learning English.
"I was doing the intense [English as a Second Language] programs," she said.
My mom had difficulties finding work due to the language barrier.
"I had an office job back [in Senegal]. But when I came here, there was no way that I could find an office job not speaking the language, even if I had an accounting background," she said. "I'm not ashamed to say that my first job was a housekeeper in a hotel."
Despite the hardships, my mom persevered.
"I went to school, finished school, and had good opportunities, and also was trusted by people. And it wasn't easy at first, but throughout the years, I just kind of worked my way up to where I am right now," she said.
It is my mother's journey that inspires me now. As I am entering my senior year of high school, I can reflect on what my mom went through to inspire my own story.
This story was produced in a RadioActive Youth Media one-week Intro to Radio Storytelling workshop for high school-age youth. Production assistance by Caesar Morales and Hannah Schoettmer. Prepared for the web by Alayna Ly.
