SUSHMA’S STORY
A Song inspired by Sushma Barakoti
by Global Village Project – Form 3, Spring 2019

I’ve always been interested in
many different things
I’ve wanted to be a doctor and a farmer
And work in agriculture
My favorite color is yellow
My superpower is invisibility!

My name is Sushma Barakoti.
I am from Nepal.
My mom and dad grew up in Burma
But they are from Nepal.

You ask how I met my husband
We worked together at United Nations
We moved to the US
but we didn’t get married
I wanted to study and work for a while.
We got married when I was 32
I married when I wanted to!

When I arrived in the USA
I had no full time job
I wanted to contribute to women in Nepal
So I brought arts and crafts from Nepal to sell

When I was getting my Masters, I thought in Nepali,
When I did my homework, I translated to English
I was always so tired...
My husband said “You have to think in English!”
Now I can think in English and Nepali

I’m Director at the Refugee Women’s Network,
We help with health and hygiene,
Education and finances,
We encourage women to come out of the house,
To talk and socialize and learn from each other
We can help your moms and sisters find jobs

My daughter Amaya is 13 years old
She loves violin
And drama and gym --- nastics
My son’s name Atulia means “”incomparable” --- and “unique”
He loves violin and soccer, and he loves to argue
I told him he should be a lawyer

My favorite law is the VAW
That’s the Violence Against Women Act
It protects women in so many different ways.
Domestic violence is now a crime

If I could change anything in Georgia
I would change the healthcare system.
We need to expand Medicare
And make health care for everyone
Yes, make health care for everyone!
#WomensWisdom #GlobalVillageProject #MotivationalMonday ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago  ·  

EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT TO ME
A Song inspired by Bhima Thapa-Magar
by Global Village Project – Form 2, Spring 2019

I was born in Bhutan, but when I was 2
My family had to leave to go to Nepal
For 17 years we were in refugee camp
We never saw electric light
We had bamboo roof and bamboo walls
1 toilet for 2 families
Through the walls we could hear our neighbors talking
We had lots of friends and lots of fun
And we always helped each other

Our family had no TV
But our friend’s family had one
My sister and I wanted to watch a movie.
When we finished our homework, we left on the run xxxx
We sneaked home, but there was our mother
She was waiting for us
From that day on we never watched TV!
‘Cause we got this xxxx Aieee!

I have 2 brothers, and 2 sisters
2 up, 2 down, I’m the middle one
I have my family here, I have their whole support
Whatever happens, I know I can talk with them
In college I didn’t know what to do
I decided to become a nurse
After 3 years I stopped and said,
“Maybe this is not for me.”
I asked myself: What am I good at?
In the future, what will I be?”
For a while I was lost, I didn’t know what to do
Til a friend told me about Just Bakery Just Bakery of Atlanta

I’m the first in my family to go to school
I’m the first baker in my culture
I’m very creative, and I studied hard
And now I am the Head Baker!
I’m not tired because I love my job
I don’t feel like I’m working when I bake
I love to watch inside the oven
I love the results we make

Many kinds of Bread is what we bake
Focaccia, Multi-grain, and Sourdough
All kinds of Cookies, Muffins, and Cake
Bars, Biscotti, and Cinnamon Rolls
Right now my favorites are Butter Scones

I dance Freestyle, Indian, Nepali, and Hip hop
I play soccer and ping pong, and I like to hike
I love doing henna art
And of course I love to bake!

Everything is important to me
Whatever I do, Whoever I meet
I don’t like people putting other people down
If I don’t agree with someone, we’re going to sit down
We’re going to talk together and work it out
Speaking up is important, that’s what I’m all about
#WomensWisdom #GlobalVillageProject #MotivationalMonday ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago  ·  

I USED TO BE A GIRL JUST LIKE YOU
A Song inspired by Ms. MIcheline Musa Salama
by Global Village Project – Form 1, Spring 2019

I used to be a girl just like you.
I was born in Congo.
My dad is from the eastern part.
My mom is from Rwanda.

At home we speak
English and French,
And so our children won’t forget
We also speak my husband’s language, Kinyarwanda

When I call my mom, we speak Swahili
With my best friend, we speak Lingala
With my brother, we speak French (Nous parlons français)
I use all of my languages every day.

It’s not easy understanding American culture.
Words get used in different ways.
People need to communicate
And sometimes they need help

A translator is like a bridge
Between newcomers and American culture.
I help both sides understand each other.
Human beings, we all need help.

I am the mother of 2 beautiful girls
The little one is good in French,
The older one, she loves her father’s language
Kinyarwanda

When my kids don’t need me anymore,
I want to go to school and study again.
I want to be a Community Organizer
For families and kids with Special Needs

Here’s how to be successful:
First you have to think about where you want to go
Then you have to plan how to get there
Then you have to walk and work toward your goal
Take it one step at a time

There will be bumps and problems on the way
And your goal won’t come and find you
You have to work hard to get to your goal
But don’t let anything stop you ! #WomensWisdom #GlobalVillageProject #MotivationalMonday ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago  ·