Suud Olat and Jay Perske

00:02 My name is Sue. I was born in 1991. I was born in Somalia. Today's date is September 9th, 2017 when Saint Paul Minnesota, my partner today is a pesky who's my friend from Minnesota to and I'm very much Happy that day joining me today in this historic UPS Store to tell him program and since when I was in high school, I believe, you know storytelling is a powerful way to change people's minds and ask how you know people to get to know each other so that we can do, you know know each other and make a world a better place. So, thank you Jay for telling me today, Mr. Cuff sample. You're welcome. Glad to be with you soon. Thanks for inviting me.

01:02 Just hope that maybe we can talk about some of your stories and in your life met you a couple years ago. And you're one of the most interesting people that I've ever met. And so I really think that what we want to share is is a lot of your story, you know, where you came from what your life was like and how did you get to Minnesota? And what's your life been like since Minnesota? And what are you what what do you want to do with your plans? What's your what's your passion?

01:40 Yeah, thank you Jay. I said my name is Sue. I was born in Somalia. You know, somebody is a country located in West Africa. It does border with Kenya and Ethiopia.

01:58 When I was born my month-old I was 9 months old. When is Somalia Civil War erupted and we're on our way and we came to Kenya and I just said I said if we just by you United Nations High Commissioner for refugees the you end up with the agency and since the day we've been expecting that, you know, peace will prevail in small will go back and Binoo continue leaving our country, but then never happen again. I leave it there for 20 years. So, you know where I grabbed, you know that it was July first very tough and very rough people don't have access to better education and that's what makes me to pick him out of a g Advocate and someone who, you know voice of the voiceless people when I come to this country and that's what the how I met you. That's how I met all those people so you were born in Somalia and at 9 months old your face.

02:58 We had to flee what year was that? It was 1991 when somebody government collapse.

03:05 Do you could you tell us a little bit of what your family maybe is told you about the story of a you know, you're migration from Somalia to Kenya.

03:18 Yeah, you can tell you know, it's like when when when the government collapsed said they were so, you know lawlessness across the country and before killing each other looting in all this happening and ran away and come to you know, that it would you come seeking out of with you Life protection. But you know, that was something that very scary and very you know, how to play Jenny and we mixes you in a month to get to the border and you don't get a call from the richest it so people died on the street and people died on the way to the refugee camps, but not mom and my dad they never regretted, you know, they made the decision that they make to flee from the country because we had indication we had you know, you know something that we can you know, how post office and you know, thanks to my parents all the time making the decision to fully

04:18 I know by the way, you know with the famine and droughts and all the wars happening, you know, the country is getting better and I'm hoping to get you the type to Somali one day and you know, if it should be. They're building a Backcountry. So you went to a camp called the dab.

04:36 Correct. Yes. Can you tell us a little bit about that camp what it's like the devil is that a Fuji Cam that was founded in the year 1991 hit just established to house a temporary shelter for the refugees fleeing from Somalia. But you know, what, would you from Sudan Ethiopia? Come to the command prompt says Sudan become bigger and bigger every day. I know it's a homo, you know, I have a million people running, you know, those people can you say them for they were going to close this time and you know, the US government an hour trying to reduce foreign aid that supports the refugee's that you know, the position of protection. So there's a lot of Christ going on when it comes to love with you. So that's what makes me to become Advocates of witches and, Minnesota.

05:37 In my state to start, you know, making movements so that those people stairs can be hurt. So this Camp you're saying has a half a million people in it. So that that's that's like a big city, but is you know, from what I know of the camps there really? They're not cities. They're run by the UN or who runs the the camps and how do people get food. Do they have jobs? How do you people don't have jobs? For example, if your teacher will you know, you know, they sell properties young people who bought in there for chicken. And now today they don't know where to call and they've just the bully play the color. Is that if what you come there's no jobs when you finish High School is no access to higher education.

06:28 I'm done with mixed most worst person, you know until we come together and try to find ways to find out about solutions for the Fugees. It's going to be you know, a lot of generations close to you know, your angles and young boys will not have a dictation on their hopes will be sure to let you know by the you know, and willingness power latest support the Fugees. So you were raised in this Camp. Can you tell us a little bit about what life was like as a little boy growing up and then into your teens in your education and your school because there was a, you know, you're not allowed to move.

07:14 Is there a way you can be the size of you know simple where you cannot love to reach the Minneapolis? You're not allowed to reach a Bloomington and it's just like a an open-air presume. So young person who cannot be verified Shikamaru 1615 asking my parents what's happening why I cannot move and they said you had with G. So that's when I realized that I have identity crisis and I'm trying to use all means a resource available to educate myself so that they can be the voice of those worthless people who are thousands of United Cerebral G, you know, your parents my parents and my dad and my mom didn't I didn't have to work they never had to get to work and they never had you no health insurance. They never had like, you know, the old a privilege that we have in this country. So it was really very tough and we used to you know, some days Miss meals just to go to school with no shoes.

08:14 Huntersville vr8000 remind my pin my elementary school on my private education. I focus on education and try to be you know voice of those voice less people become a Advocate and you know, someone who always concerns of those issues in that way. I met with ministers presidents Prime Ministers queens and kings journalist for the mortal blow out lyrics just to talk to them about the refugees and why those people are real people real names that we need to support them regardless of their country of regardless whether from soda with makes me to continue my work advocating for the Fugees what I come to the United States.

08:59 So you it sounds like you have you've had a lot of favor as a as a young adult you're talkin about prime ministers and leaders and countries even talking about being an advocate for refugees what you know, what what are some of the passions that you have that you would like to see happen through your advocacy. Advocacy, you know always sell speaking at the Yokai do speaking engagements, you know across the country. I was in the yocan organization call Fulmer International that helps me to learn how to do filmmaking and how to do a camera and how to do a picture how to use Facebook on that location to me in the dark when I will send the refugee camps and now I South Airport supposed to the bejesus out there, but they are located in New York. So I was speaking the other day in the New York an audience.

09:59 She would tell me stories about you know, like in even Albert Einstein was a refugee as you may know, you know, someone who's out clothes fit into small community the Somali president whose now of the leader of the country is an American. Do you know someone who grew up in New York and I'll get his education of the Buffalo New York that works for this the Girl Scouts of New York. Go back to Somalia become Prime Minister come back and do his job for the state go back and run for president. Now, he's the president if those people if the if young people today, if you give those are between step can be like another place. They can be like out today instant. They can be like, you know Sue to always advocating for the Fugees, you know, all I'm saying is that leaders should get should give Abby Trinity for those young people. So that's why you know, I wish me and you are there last night to de-bone Osho iPhone to fold a U2 concert with 106.

10:59 David's call one and my goal is to you know to take pain on J. And you guys to see how small is improving and how things are getting better so that we can find durable Solutions. Which is so they can go back past my Mingle2, you know pressure while it is to do something for those of witches.

11:21 That's awesome. I I've been I've been living in Minneapolis, Minnesota for for a long time my whole life almost and I know that we've seen the Somali community in our community for about the last 20 years. Do you see any issues that your advocacy or you know our work together could do to help build relationships. Do you see problems in the end out there in Minnesota in the u.s. What are some things that you think that you can come alongside and help to improve?

12:06 Yeah, it's like, you know first first away of you know, how to soften the problem. They say this to identify that the problem exists. So yes, you know no country where they sent unified any country that do us no problems in Minnesota. We have problems, you know, you know racism racism is a big thing, you know religion. Yeah people who is KJ other is a big thing you have Christian faith and you've become friends with the community must have a Muslim or Christian with friends. You remember that they would Nichols a meeting with those people who are not Muslim. I see you in person. How do you see I said, I love making friends of the day together as if you're the leader of the Galaxy Vol I don't care my goal is to do you know me make Minnesota I would have gotten place for all people. You know, I'll call you did this country's greatest a lot of freedom and still there's a lot of problems, but you know, we can I just give up

13:06 How to say who they want to go away those problems know we need to work together we need to you know, brink of ideas together so that you know, we can make a Minnesota M dispensary. I will come and bless for all people to get less of you know, where the Froman yeah, they still challenges you in a lot of media come to Minneapolis and Minnesota and tell a lot of negative stories about somatostatin contributes people from different states. Think about, you know, Minnesota supposed to place because of you know, Somali security Norfolk, but then immediate goal is to you know, I love her tell stories in a positive way, but unfortunately a lot of media focus on negative parts of the story, so I would like people to continue engaging each other known each other to be to each other coming together and that way we can solve her problems Ian get a chance to solve problems offices.

14:06 That's that's interesting. One of the things you know, I have many many Somali friends that I've made over the years and they've many of them have become some of my best friends and I think there's a lot of misconceptions out there about the Somali community and the Muslim Community in Minnesota. And I know you're trying to help build, you know that a better story that you know, like you said the the news comes in from other states than they kind of take and they make their own story and they tend to focus on negative things and that can you tell us some some positive things that you seen since you lived in Minnesota that are happening in the Somali community that might help give give a Different Light to somebody who's listening to this exact. You know, I have seen

15:06 Video of Denver do interviews of den light. You know, he's picking up the charts and other place most pricey was to do, you know a lot of people when they see you talking but you know, they got the chance to listen like this interview. Yeah, no doubt, they'll change their perception. So there's a lot of great things that's happening in this.

15:28 In this is tape, you know people come I set up with just his country with no English with no, you know it acacian and now their own businesses, you know, some some some other mothers with no English with no, you know of zero experience can this country and now they all businesses they pay schools for the children they focus on you know about buying a house of you know, all this you can do in this country only, you know, there's no that's kind of patients in other countries. You can see your young people who come this contrasted with cheese now graduating and pick at me now, you know all works of different professionals. That's who you know ways to tell those historic Vienna Minnesota snow. Holy place for where you can hear, you know, tell her I'm killing them all these emissaries. How much do you know largest commodity from East Africa? How come this country?

16:28 Does apple juice and that's why we have you no footprint, you know diverse cultural centuries and diverse food and everything. So, you know, I I see, you know, a lot of positive stories, but you know, a lot of people just took a picture to see only the negative person I've got in me and you are working round-the-clock to tell the sisters. So speaking about positive story. I know you let's go back to the dadaab camp. You came over to Minnesota about five years ago. I was settled in Nashville Tennessee first, you know, what I was told you the United States government. We make a decision. Which did you go in and I was just alone my family went out with me and I will still you going to Nashville, Tennessee, and I know anyone there and you know when I first learned it in Miami, Florida, where are Port of Entry week?

17:28 Did the Duke Mansion legal we are legally he do that in the morning. I was told you're going to Nashville Tennessee and then around 2:00. I boarded the plane to Nashville, you know, there was a lot of you know, why people in the airplane know I never put it up late like that in my entire life and then I say will you go with me know what's going on? And then you know my ability to speak English just helps me and then ask a lady. Hey where we go in and she told me we're going to Nashville Tennessee to nickname is Music City and welcome to Nashville around two and a half hours. We landed Nashville and I want us to feel Catholic Church of Tennessee will come at me and then she told me I'll take you to your new home and you know, welcome to Nashville and then three years working there, you know, I got but units to to see President Obama fist in that City, you know girl pretends to very active in the community and you know, what,

18:28 To learn how to drive car and get my own car and then my sister lives Minnesota and in two years ago and make a decision to move to Minnesota. So and then I know last year you had some really good news. I hear you you had some other family able to join you here right exactly know the end of the day I come to this country. My mom and my dad where will you know, the government of the United States is saying oh your family enjoy you wait, wait wait to text. You know, we are here and now December 2016 my family arrived with you know in they just messaged you know that if they would have went like a month to January they will love you. Nobody coming to the nurse just like the president served it but thanks God say, you know with my support and my you know could have helped in their booties. I will see you in a very very, you know, a word about the life of my family.

19:28 Departed coming to this country. What can I do but you know they come and enjoyed me join me December last year and I was one of the happiest moment in my life, you know, just so, you know reunited with my family of 5 years, you know after we've been about thousands of miles separate. So I would have my messages to President Trump and Congress to know that you know, those people need to reunite each other and telling people with y'all need to stay been going through a lot of tailpipe of Jenny. So they need to know the decision makers to feel sympathy for those people and help them to to reunite with each other and help that which is to come this concerned continue making America number one country when it comes to helping the Bee Gees on Innovation solutions for problems.

20:22 That's great. So, yeah, so so welcome, dear your mom and dad and the rest of your family here to Minnesota. Now. I know you want to you want to go back to the dock and you want to make some positive things happen. What kind of things would you like to see happen there?

20:45 Exactly. Am I my we are what what I want to see it's like, you know go to the doctor for Jacob in Twilight's Triple G can one journalist from CNN Wednesday. So, I don't know if Lucy Los Angeles Times. He said this this comes up.

21:04 34 minutes is a very popular and famous. Just alike Hollywood. So he said a lot of people who was La Mirada the Wall came to this come and see those people suffering and get out what I want to see he's like, you know people come together and work together here in Minnesota in different states. And so the windows are Fugees who had the only hope

21:29 You know, what's to get in a settlement 1% of those now closed and you know what you have now. It's so I want to fix it. If we see, you know, someone who is ready to support us our trip date someone who's willing to support those people get there and you know try to listen to the stories of those families will be waiting on a settlement for 10 years 80's 90's. I know president and his back and shut the door. How are they you know, how would they you know go through this painful Journey waiting to go to the United States for 8 years, and now in a motto, I want been president ballot and tell you not coming. So what's it look like for those people lives how they feel it and how they were, you know, you'll go through this this situation. So I want to tell those stories and met with you go to Somali possibly admit to the Somali president and possibly can Yell Leaders.

22:28 To tell those people, how can we bring solution for those people or you don't just get the picture attached to the Blue Jays travel and in the future. I'm hoping to you know of

22:41 Write a story about those people and the whole roof, would you come in and how do I get to this country what I've seen and share those stories with those young people who are now stranded in letter for Jacob. So maybe we can all get up with you to give them a scholarship. So, you know, give them high school education give them up at Unity for you know, how to start a new life Cindy countries with a lot of calendar face it or not want, you know going to be cold all these things you want to create more opportunities for young people, especially to get out of the camps like make our young friend Mohammed Mohammed, you know, there's a lot of people who come to Canada if we do scholarships. So if you can expect those programs and try to support those young people who finish high school and wanted to continue the life so that you know, we can make the world a better place for all people.

23:41 Medication supported each other. So I'm hoping to go back there come and meet with those people my childhood friends people who you know who we grew up together, then you know, ask them how they feel would President Trump announce it at the richest and I came to this country coming to United States from the food. She comes just like a win the lottery. It's not something that you know girl that I need to wait for a PS 9 years, but the worst thing goes, you know, people just wait wait and you don't want that tent come to used to come in but not with the Preston Spanish refugees. It's just to make us more helpless than you know, they were filled of you know. They will feel that you know, no one wants them and they cannot go back and they cannot move freely the country the house with them. So I hope you know GG Europe the whole world feel.

24:36 Shadows die when they see such candy stores feel Sympathy For Love of Jesus and just their minds towards what they believe about the Fugees regard just a couple minutes left. I'd really like to hear you. Maybe tell us to quikstories. Maybe one about your like the happiest time, even though I know that the camp was a hard place to live. I may be sure a happy memory that you have of a story of something that happened there. And also maybe you could just tell us a little bit about the hardness of living in that camp is a rice like them my parents they they they they they loved us all I have three sisters and two brothers and my name is Sue. Do you know to tell you what means suitcase like a when I was born my mom and my dad they the first children were five goals in

25:36 1 2 3 4 5 girls and then you know, you can tell in Somali this a culture of you know, people want us to have a diverse children boys and girls mostly and some people will say we need boys, you know, but that cuz you know, I was going away and my mom when I was born she said after 5 cuz I got a boy and his name is suit in Somali suit me to see green when the right when they said route and brain come every webcam green. So she said all my family, you know where dry and we get a suit so it makes getting employed so, you know and you know, I love my parents are good people and they helped us to you know to they always encouraged us to education to focus on education so that you know, we can support each other and my goal is to finish school, you know, maybe go to a good school like Yale or Harvard and try to kill them.

26:36 UCLA what's up with you? When I come to this country get every opportunity and you know, I should I school and maybe go back to Somalia and you know, you know run for office and try to educate those people on you know, build a a place where you know, people respect to Lowe's and you know where to send to collections on that make that country, you know, very beautiful and people can enjoy their natural result that God give them and you know Somalia one of the most peaceful place in the world and you don't people like you have a lot of American friends can come and enjoy, you know the feet of small in the future.

27:16 So can you tell us a little story about little seed growing up some some happy memory when I was going School letting you know go to the library. They will my internet and you know see the magazines and you know, I love reading when I was young and then we didn't start till I get on Nelson Mandela, you know, how is struggle and how he makes electrical dress country. And then by the time I was in school, you know, we didn't all those canisters make me feel inspired and believe that I can do it and then you know in the long run two years ago. I was even thinking coming to Minnesota meeting with Senator Al Franken meet with President Obama meet with those people, but you know as time goes, you know, I just improved read read read and then try to use everything, you know, once I get internet try to use it in a we use social media way to Advocate then be voice of those people and

28:16 You don't tell yes, I find myself living in this country and you know this in a country like the United States a lot of Freedom Credit people, you know, how I feel about you. Call how many soda and I'm hoping to continue doing what I do and be proud of you know, American mainstream. Yeah, and then, you know just to make people feel that you know, regardless if you come to the Galaxy religion regardless of you know, who you are America is a country for all people and we can continue making this country in our great country that you know number one Pho around the world comes to you no issues and diplomacy and politics and everything.

29:01 Any last thoughts just so you know saying that so, you know send a message to President Trump on Congress to you know, remove all. Looking forward just come to this country. There's only one person Two Witches who get every chance to come this country. Then I hate to agree time. They're not here to get it helpful, but they're here to bring more good than harm. So I'm hoping you know people who get this message will help you and I'll talk to the Senators and Congress to help more if we just come to this country.