kagueni's life

Coming to America!




       Everyday, people around the world travel to the USA for a better life. Growing up in my native country, TOGO West Africa we do not have a lot of opportunities in school or in any other fields. When I was teenager, I always dream to come in the USA and finish my education, have a better life and a happy family one day.



         At the age of twenty two, I got a visa to come to the USA. I was so exited that day. I still remenber it like it was yesterday. My mom and dad were all happy, my sister too. I can not even describe how I felt that day. I was so greatful . That night I could not sleep I was wondering how my life was going to change forever. I was going to see new cities of the USA, an urban agglomeration, learn a new language, explore the American way of life and meet new people. It is was a great feeling.



Me in Pittsburg

Me at the bus stop

My first days in the USA were  pretty good because I have my uncles and aunties from my dad's side. So everything was great. I got to visite and see these beautiful places in the USA, until I started working. Everything changed and that was the moment I realized how hard it was to live in this great nation.

   In my native country I was not working. Now not only did  I have to go to school, I had to work at the same time to support my parents back home.I could not handle the presure.The stress was so high on me. I remenber the first day I went to work, it was in a grocery store where one of my uncles is a manager. My job was to fix stuff and make sure everything was clean. I did not even know that wages was per hours.I worked that day from twelve PM to eight PM. At night I could not sleep or got up on my bed and go use the bathroom. I was feeling the fatigue. It was a worst experience ever. The next day, I had to take the bus to go to work again. I remenber me siting down on the bench waiting for the the bus. We were in December and it was freezing outside. I was crying like a little baby because I was cold . I felt like they were burning my fingers and my toes. I was thinking about how people make such a big deal about the USA back to my country and the reality that I was leaving was totaly different.

Regine's store where I work

Me standing in my section at work

 I did not stay a long time in my uncle's work because he was too protective. I remenber when the customers asked me a question because I did not speak English at all, my uncle would come and tell them what they want. I felt like I was lack of communication. I wanted to have a communication with the customers even if I did not speak very well English and learned  from my mistakes. So I found another job after seven months working in my uncle's store. It was a clothing store and started working there since then.

Me at my graduation day.

my high school diplomat

I got lucky because I leave with one of my uncles. I do not pay rent. He is a pharmacist at Walgreens. He is married and have three children. My uncle is so nice to me. I look up to him. he really is my inspiration. Looking up to him motivated my gumption to be someone in the future even though I had to start all over again. I guess everything work out like I want it. I went to adult education school of Brigeport, got my GED( high school diploma) graduted and now am in second semester in college taking general studies classes.

Me at school.

Me at the lab.

I know everything will be find. It is going to be hard but am getting there step by step. I have a wonderful husband who loves me, cares about me and understand me. I can be more greatful than that. At the end of  day, coming to America was worth it even if it was really difficult for the beginning. I really like the transition.