Gordon Halm
(He/Him)
Optional audio recording of the text in Part A.
Gordon Part A.m4aDirections: Read Part A below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “Why did this person leave their home country?
Directions: Read Part A below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “Why did this person leave their home country?
Part A
Part A
Born in Ghana, West Africa in 1958.
Born in Ghana, West Africa in 1958.
Came to United States in 1995.
Came to United States in 1995.
Age 37
Age 37
Life in Ghana
Life in Ghana
I have ten brothers and sisters. My parents spent long hours pounding the kernels with rocks, harvesting the fruit to be turned into oil. Sometimes they would fall asleep doing so. I remember palm tree kernels from floor to ceiling in my home. My mother sold the oil to make money for our family. It was difficult to make money, so I ran away to live in a neighboring country, Liberia, for a few years. A war broke out there and I was scared.
I have ten brothers and sisters. My parents spent long hours pounding the kernels with rocks, harvesting the fruit to be turned into oil. Sometimes they would fall asleep doing so. I remember palm tree kernels from floor to ceiling in my home. My mother sold the oil to make money for our family. It was difficult to make money, so I ran away to live in a neighboring country, Liberia, for a few years. A war broke out there and I was scared.
Optional audio recording of the text in Part B.
Gordon Part B.m4aDirections: Read Part B below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “What was this person getting used to?”
Directions: Read Part B below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “What was this person getting used to?”
Part B
Part B
Life in Transition
Life in Transition
Just as the war in Liberia was getting bad, I decided to move to the United States. The first place I lived was New York City. It has been difficult starting my life here in the United States. I moved to Lowell where I now live with my wife and children. I take classes at a local university and work to earn money to support my family.
Just as the war in Liberia was getting bad, I decided to move to the United States. The first place I lived was New York City. It has been difficult starting my life here in the United States. I moved to Lowell where I now live with my wife and children. I take classes at a local university and work to earn money to support my family.
Life in Lowell
Life in Lowell
I am proud to call myself a Lowellian. My wife and I are raising our three sons here. I have not forgotten where I came from and I often miss my home country. I’ve made friends with other people from African countries at my church. A group of us get together often to play music, dance, and share all kinds of food from our home countries. I would like to start a festival to share our African cultures with others in Lowell.
I am proud to call myself a Lowellian. My wife and I are raising our three sons here. I have not forgotten where I came from and I often miss my home country. I’ve made friends with other people from African countries at my church. A group of us get together often to play music, dance, and share all kinds of food from our home countries. I would like to start a festival to share our African cultures with others in Lowell.