Today, we visited the Gary & Mary West Community Center to serve meals to seniors. While waiting for the seniors to arrive and for the dining area to be set up, we had the chance to speak to some of the people who were already there. Since it was our first time being in a community center with such a big, diverse group of seniors, I could feel that all of us were a bit timid in approaching them. Nearly my whole group filed into the game room where there were 4 seniors hanging out doing puzzles or having a snack.
Once I built up more courage to go out into the dining area, I took a seat next to a man named Tony. After a few questions and one-worded answers, I got the sense that he didn’t really want to talk to me. At this point, I felt extremely awkward and incapable of talking to humans who are not my age. I scanned the room, looking for a friendly face and an empty seat. After a long moment of deliberation, I decided to sit next to a man who was sitting alone.
I learned that this man’s name is Yemane, and he came to the U.S. from Ethiopia at the age of 21 by himself. Of course, Yemane experienced a lot of culture shock and faced a language barrier, but he persisted. After working in the jewelry industry for nearly 3 decades, he decided to start his own jewelry business. Right when Yemane mentioned his business, he immediately pulled out his phone to find photos of his designs to show me. From there, I sensed his genuine passion for what he does. He continued scrolling through photos while telling me how large, foreign businesses are producing jewelry with Ethiopian designs and are taking over the industry. However, Yemane is extremely confident in his work. He said that he is Ethiopian, he knows his culture best, and no foreign company can beat that. I love what he said! I admire his dedication and pride, and both are definitely evident in his designs. The jewelry pieces he showed me were dainty and had beautiful, intricate carvings. He also never married and is trying to grow his business from the bottom while his sibling became a millionaire in his home country. However, Yemane remains focused on his goals and doesn’t let anyone or anything influence him. While some may think that staying single or being less successful than a sibling is undesirable, I learned that every single person has different values and priorities. Therefore, we shouldn’t inflict our beliefs on people or judge anyone for what they choose to do, whether their actions reflect mainstream society or not.
I wish I could talk to every senior in the room, because every person’s life is like a different universe. I got to know just a little bit of Yemane’s story and I already feel so inspired to build a stronger mindset and tackle all my goals with his type of confidence. In the end, he tried writing out my name and asked me if he did it correctly, which was random but cute! When I went over to say goodbye, he said “remember me!” which I replied with “I definitely will!”
Once I built up more courage to go out into the dining area, I took a seat next to a man named Tony. After a few questions and one-worded answers, I got the sense that he didn’t really want to talk to me. At this point, I felt extremely awkward and incapable of talking to humans who are not my age. I scanned the room, looking for a friendly face and an empty seat. After a long moment of deliberation, I decided to sit next to a man who was sitting alone.
I learned that this man’s name is Yemane, and he came to the U.S. from Ethiopia at the age of 21 by himself. Of course, Yemane experienced a lot of culture shock and faced a language barrier, but he persisted. After working in the jewelry industry for nearly 3 decades, he decided to start his own jewelry business. Right when Yemane mentioned his business, he immediately pulled out his phone to find photos of his designs to show me. From there, I sensed his genuine passion for what he does. He continued scrolling through photos while telling me how large, foreign businesses are producing jewelry with Ethiopian designs and are taking over the industry. However, Yemane is extremely confident in his work. He said that he is Ethiopian, he knows his culture best, and no foreign company can beat that. I love what he said! I admire his dedication and pride, and both are definitely evident in his designs. The jewelry pieces he showed me were dainty and had beautiful, intricate carvings. He also never married and is trying to grow his business from the bottom while his sibling became a millionaire in his home country. However, Yemane remains focused on his goals and doesn’t let anyone or anything influence him. While some may think that staying single or being less successful than a sibling is undesirable, I learned that every single person has different values and priorities. Therefore, we shouldn’t inflict our beliefs on people or judge anyone for what they choose to do, whether their actions reflect mainstream society or not.
I wish I could talk to every senior in the room, because every person’s life is like a different universe. I got to know just a little bit of Yemane’s story and I already feel so inspired to build a stronger mindset and tackle all my goals with his type of confidence. In the end, he tried writing out my name and asked me if he did it correctly, which was random but cute! When I went over to say goodbye, he said “remember me!” which I replied with “I definitely will!”