Ghana: An Immigrant’s Journey into American Healthcare
With determination and hard work, Ghana’s immigrant journey lifted his family to a life they once thought was impossible. Creating a self-made American dream.
Ghana Neopaney
In July 2008, Ghana arrived in Cincinnati with his parents and two younger brothers.
Housing and employment were not readily available so they were paired with another family in a single bedroom apartment. Within 24 hours of their arrival, Ghana's family was introduced to Heartfelt Tidbits representatives Amsu and Sheryl. Amsu, who speaks Nepali, explained what would be happening over the next few weeks and the importance of the whole family learning to speak English. Ghana spoke the best English of those in his family, and he was over 18. He shared with Amsu that he dreamt of going to college and perhaps even a year of high school. Therefore he was shattered when Amsu explained that since he spoke the most English, he’d have to work before anything else could happen and most likely would be the sole provider of the family until his parents learned English.
“When I came to the US I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I wanted to attend college and live the best life I could for my parents. After all, they made a tremendous sacrifice for my brothers and me years before when they fled their homeland with us to keep us safe. I’m happy because I see them happy, proud and at home here.”
Ghana agreed that he would do whatever he needed to do to make sure they were successful in their new home. He secured a job as a bagger at Kroger, while his brothers began school in the fall and his parents focused on learning English. Eventually his father began working at Cintas which provided Ghana an opportunity to cut back his work hours and begin college.
In the spring of 2008 he began working on his associate's degree in biomedical technology from Cincinnati State University. From there he went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. During this time he also became a homeowner in Colerain Township, a husband, and a father.
After graduating college he secured a job at Varian, a company that creates cancer treatment equipment, and became trained on their Proton Therapy equipment. Today, Ghana is an integral part of Varian’s staff at Children’s Hospital in Liberty Township.
When Sheryl first took Ghana to register for courses at Cincinnati State, he asked how he could ever repay Heartfelt Tidbits for their help. Her response, “be the best you can be.” Ghana has truly accomplished this and exceeded all of our expectations for the man who arrived unsure of his future, but confident in his potential for success.
Zoila: Transforming a Passion into a New American Beginning
Finding her space at Heartfelt Tidbits, Zoila escaped her isolation through community and even some business in her new American life.
Zoila Emerita Martìnez
Zoila was a child in southern Guatemala. Her mother supported the family by sewing and taught her daughter to sew.
Though Zoila loved sewing, she wasn't able to practice much since there was always other work to be done to help her mother. As Zoila grew up and raised her own family, she slowly forgot about sewing. When threats were made against the family, Zoila was forced to leave Guatemala. She came to the United States to be reunited with her daughter and granddaughter.
When they first arrived in Cincinnati, they were very lonely and depressed. Before long, Zoila and her daughter were introduced to Heartfelt Tidbits, and each of them became involved in multiple of our programs. Zoila began attending our makerspace programs and became a founding member of the Welcome Project.
“I feel comfortable coming here because the teachers and the other ladies have become my friends. I like to sew, embroider, and knit.”
Learning to sew again gave Zoila the chance to become part of a community here in Cincinnati. Her friends at the makerspace play an important role in her new life. She loves making clothing for her grandchildren, and she and her daughter have begun teaching embroidery workshops together through the Welcome Project. Welcome also gives Zoila and her daughter the chance to earn money for their family by selling their items in the boutique and working on paid projects.
Zoila is also attending weekly English and Citizenship classes through Heartfelt Tidbits and her grandchildren now attend our summer camps.
Zoila and her family have become a beloved part of the Heartfelt Tidbits community, welcoming new faces and helping acquaint them with our programs. Zoila loves greeting new friends and says, "I am so happy and thank God each day for the Welcome Project."
Sodiq: From Refugee to Future Nurse
Taking advantage of his opportunities with passion and dedication, Sodiq has built his own path to success!
Sodiq Onanguna
Sodiq’s father left Nigeria alone in hopes of supporting his family and someday being able to bring them to the United States.
Although this move allowed Sodiq to attend private school in Nigeria, the family continued to struggle with finances and putting food on the table. In 2017, Sodiq and his two brothers finally arrived in the United States.
Sodiq became an active and integral member of our teen empowerment programs upon arriving in Cincinnati, and graduated from high school in May of 2018. He hopes to study nursing and has recently completed his State Tested Nurses Aide training, becoming one step closer to his goal.
“I want to study nursing because I want to understand how life works and be someone that people look to when they’re sick. I enjoy helping others.”
In addition to accomplishing this feat, Sodiq has been accepted into the Global Learning Project, a social enterprise working to reduce generational cycles of poverty amongst young people through offering relevant STEM and Global Travel opportunities. Sodiq will be participating in the technology boot camp, where he will learn how to code and make apps.
Rounding out his busy post-high school summer, Sodiq will also be participating in the FotoFocus Biennial project, where he will be sharing his daily life as a refugee through a series of snapshots.
After only a short time in Cincinnati, Sodiq has carved a path of success and accomplishment, and will only continue to achieve more, as he believes that “you have the opportunity to be whatever you want to be” in the United States.
Giri: An Immigrant’s Real Journey in America
Giri tells the hard realities of American immigration. However, he also preaches of how he once lived hopelessly to now giving hope to new immigrants who were once in his shoes.
Giri Sapkota’s family arrived from Bhutan in 2008, and was supported by Heartfelt Tidbits in their transition. Now an integral part of Heartfelt Tidbits, Giri shares his journey from living in a refugee camp to restarting his life in Cincinnati. Today, he now sits on the board of an organization that helped him when he first relocated to the United States.
Ganga: From Refugee to American Citizen
Refugee to citizen at age 82, Ganga shows that you are never too old to become a citizen.
Ganga Ram Sapkota
Ganga became an American citizen at 82 years old.
Click here to listen to this story in Nepali
Ganga Ram Sapkota became an American citizen at 82 years old.
Ganga was born July 30, 1933 in the District of Chirang, Goseling Damphu, Bhutan. In Bhutan, Ganga was a farmer and grew rice, maize, wheat, oranges, and peaches. Ganga’s life as a farmer was abruptly stopped when he, his wife Jashoda, and their seven children were forced to leave their country in 1992 because of the government’s persecution and ethnic cleansing of southern Bhutanese groups.
After two days of walking, one week in India, and at least one day by bus, Ganga and his family settled in a refugee camp in Nepal, becoming part of the 108,000 refugees who left Bhutan. Over the next 17 years, Ganga, Jashoda, and their children lived in a refugee camp until they were resettled in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ganga married Jashoda through an arranged marriage, which is custom in Bhutan. Ganga and Jashoda had five sons and two daughters while living on their ten-acre farm in Bhutan, before they were forced to leave the country. They have been married 63 years.
Now, Ganga’s 5 sons, 2 daughters, his children’s spouses, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild all live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Watch local news coverage of one of Ganga’s sons and his family arriving to Cincinnati:
On January 18, Ganga became a U.S. citizen. We interviewed Ganga to further understand why he wanted to get his citizenship.
Why did you want to get your U.S. citizenship?
Ganga: In Bhutan, there was no citizenship. I heard about getting citizenship here. After so many years, I wanted to have my citizenship in the U.S.
How do you feel about having your U.S. citizenship?
Ganga: I feel happy that I am permanent now. In Nepal, I stayed 17 years. I was worried at first, but now I am good.
Do you ever wish you could visit Bhutan?
Ganga: I would like to, but I am not allowed.
What do you like about America?
Ganga: I like the land, the laws and rules, and the freedom of the American people.
If someone asks you what your nationality is, what would you say?
Ganga: I would say that I was born in Bhutan, I lived in Nepal, and now I am American.
What are your favorite things to do in the U.S.?
Ganga: If the weather is good, I like to take walks. I like to watch Hindi movies. I also like to do the Hindu prayer ritual called Puja and to sing Bhajan Hindu devotional songs.
What is your favorite memory?
Ganga: When my first son completed first grade in Bhutan.
Learn more about Ganga’s journey through these educational videos:
A glimpse of Bhutanese Refugees’ Camps in Nepal.
Video Credits
Music: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Photos: quinn.anya via Foter.com / CC BY-SA; International Rivers via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA; IMs BILDARKIV via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND; °]° via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND; joseph a via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA; ClaraDon via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND; pmorgan via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA; Mark Spearman via Foter.com / CC BY; IceNineJon via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND