Meet a Village Family

Q&A with Lemlem and Anteneh, Parents of Night Wolf Naomi and Breakdancing Shark Naol

Where were you born? Where did each of you grow up?
I (Lemlem) was born in Addis Abeba Ethiopia. I went to elementary school there, but I graduated high school in Jimma, Ethiopia. After high school I went back to Addis Abeba for college. Jimma is in the southwest part of Ethiopia. I met my husband in Jimma when I was a junior in high school. He finished elementary school in Jimma and he went to Addis Abeba for high school and college.

When did your family move to the U.S.? To California? Why did you move?
My husband came to the U.S. in 2006. He lived in the state of Iowa for six months and he moved to California later the same year. I came to California April 7, 2007.
 
My husband Anteneh moved to California for a better job. I came directly to San Jose from Addis Abeba.

What are some of the major differences in living here versus your original home?
Living in Ethiopia is very difficult. Many college graduates have a hard time finding good paying jobs. Because of that many young people like us escape their country to have a better life. Here in the U.S. people have many opportunities to support themselves and their loved ones. Of course, we miss so many things from our native home country Ethiopia such as family, friends, holiday celebrations, food and drink. However, we chose to sacrifice everything to support ourselves and families.

What do you like about living here?
California is one of the most diverse states in America, so we are glad and fortunate to be part of it. Moreover, Village School is the perfect fit for us and our children. We all feel accepted in California society. In our surroundings we have many good and kind friends from all parts of the world. That makes us mostly love living in California, and especially being a part of Village School.

What do you miss?
We miss our families and friends in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, we don’t have any relatives in the U.S. and that makes it sometimes difficult. Especially during holidays and birthdays we miss our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, and nephews and nieces. Sometimes I feel bad for our children that they are not growing up with extended family and friends. But it is what it is.

How do you keep traditions and culture from home a part of life for your children?
One of the most important things in our family is passing our culture to the next generation. So as parents it is highly expected of us to teach our children our language, religion, and to live with others in peace. At home and church we speak Amharic which is Ethiopia’s national language. Every Sunday we mostly attend morning Mass at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Japantown in San Jose. After church we spend our time with our church community and with other friends from church or outside of the church.

How did you pick Village?
We picked Village School by previous preschool parent friends’ recommendations.

What is the school system like in your hometown?
The school system in Ethiopia is very different than the U.S. First grade to eighth grade is elementary, and ninth to twelfth grade is high school. College is mostly similar or the same as the U.S. My school experience back home wasn’t great. However, I went to public school for elementary and high school. After that I went to college for three years and graduated as an accountant. My husband went to a public elementary school but private high school. He went to college and graduated as an Electrical Engineer. In Ethiopia all schools and colleges are on a graded system, such as one with A – F’s.

What else would you like our community to know or understand about the culture of your childhood and the transition you’ve made?
I wish Village School would have a cultural or international day so people like us can get a chance to teach or share their cultures to the rest of the world. I have noticed that Village School is getting more diverse than three or four years ago, and that is a big change to see new people from different parts of the world. However, I don’t see cultural or traditional activities to include others.