By Bonnie Washuk , Staff Writer
Saturday, December 15, 2007
LEWISTON - Nasir and his mother were walking on a beach in Somalia when they came upon a group of armed men. They were thieves who threatened to shoot the two. Nasir and his mother quickly fled to escape the men.
That terrifying experience was recounted Friday when Nasir stepped up to the podium in the Lewiston Middle School cafeteria and read his memoir, "Running From Thieves."
"There was nobody there to help us," Nasir read. "A lesson I learned on this is that you shouldn't come out alone on the beach because there are thieves who could kill you."
The memoir was one of 60 stories published in "Memories Never Forgotten," a compilation put together by middle-schoolers with the help of teachers and Bates College students.
The goal was to help Somali-born and American-born students get to know and understand each other. Some Somali students, including Nasir, were identified by first name only.
Another, Sahra, wrote about how her family lived in Somalia in 1990 when robbers came to their home and demanded the animals. Her father said no. "Then the robbers said, 'Give us the animals now or we will shoot you.' "
Other students shared less frightening but equally memorable experiences.
Sarah Schlax wrote about rock-climbing camp in Acadia National Park, how tough the climb was and how she vividly remembered "purple ropes" that saved her from falling.
Devon Beland wrote about meeting a junior hockey star, Sidney Crosby - who some call the next Wayne Gretzky - at the Colisee. Devon wrote about how Crosby stood out on the ice, and how he waited after the game to get his autograph.
Teacher Pamela Ericson noted that the stories ranged from silly to sad. Some were "too painful for my heart," she said.
The "Memories Never Forgotten" book was inspired by a similar project in Portland called the "Telling Room." Bates College published the stories, and Bates students helped with the writing and editing.
Some of the middle-school students said they learned much from one another.
Mohamed Ali wrote about a boy who stole his ball when he was playing soccer in Somalia. The time of year was Eid, a religious holiday "like Christmas," Ali said. "Since it was Eid I thought that I should be nice and forgive. I learned that it is better to forgive people than to stay mad at him."
Stacey Oswold said her story was about the sad day her dog died. She was visiting a relative in another country and wasn't home when her beagle died. "I never got to say goodbye to him."
Then Oswold read the experiences of Somali students. "They're really sad. How men were shooting at them. I realized that my life was really good. I felt really thankful."
Middle school English teacher Shayna Malyata said the project's goal of breaking down walls and promoting friendship was achieved. Some of the students now hang out in the halls. They're saying hi to one another, joking and high-fiving.
"This is what it's all about," Malyata said. "The writing is secondary."
Anyone interested in reading the book may contact the school, which has a few copies.
Source: Sun Journal, December 15, 2007