Immigrants
Dear Editor: Thirty years ago, I returned to the United States after two years in Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer. In the Peace Corps, you may complete your service, but you never really get to leave, because of the organization’s third goal. Returned Peace Corps volunteers are expected to ‘‘help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans’’ until they breathe their last.
I have lost track of Kenya in the past three decades. A lot has happened, good and bad: peaceful transition of ruling parties, severe droughts, free universal primary education, election violence, microfinance initiatives, terrorist attacks, 50-plus years of independence won from colonial powers ... I’d have a hard time getting it right and pretty much would fail at the third goal.
But here is something I do know about Kenya or any of the other countries our president so recently disparaged with his crude words.
People in Kenya love their children. The poorest work long hours in the fields to grow food to feed their kids. They set aside a portion of their land for cash crops so that they can pay as much as half their yearly income for school fees. They have high hopes for their children’s futures even though there are not enough spots at university for all those who complete 12 years of rigorous study.
People in poverty love their country. Kenya has one of the world’s loveliest anthems. It calls for justice, peace and liberty for the people of Kenya. Kenyans don’t want to leave their beautiful, beloved country. Sometimes they just need a chance to earn money or a place at university. What do we get in return for opening our doors? An opportunity to learn about another place and people, a chance to share our excellent college and university system, and the benefit of the immigrant’s skills and productivity.
I was so disheartened by our president’s words. I call on our Congress and nations of the world to censure him. We all live in beautiful countries. We all love our children. We are all worthy.
Kari Sagel, Sitka
