Aydarus Abshir Mahamud

Family is a very important part of life. They helped me get through difficulties, and made me the person I am today. They sent me to school, which gave me the opportunity to get an education, and find a job. My father pushed me to always try my best, no matter how hard things got and ask lots of questions. My family also taught me to forgive. You cannot go through life without love, and forgiveness. If you do, all that will be left is hate. You should always help each other; focus on your education, follow the rules. These are things that are important for you, for your parents, for teachers, for everyone.

Aydarus Abshir Mahamud

My name is Aydarus Mahamud. I was born on October 28th, 1969. I was born in a town called Howlwadaag, Somalia. I am the oldest of 7 kids. I have a very loving family. My father would bring supplies to our house and my mother would cook the food. The time I loved was eating with my family and mom telling stories about how to go through life. I learned what to do and what not to do.

I started school at the age of 6. I went to school till 5th grade then skipped 6th grade and went to high school. I liked high school because I liked learning and I liked getting better and improving. Classes got harder and harder and you had to pass a test to go on to the next class. I always passed the tests.

After high school I went to college to study being a doctor, and that’s when the civil war of Somalia started. To survive the war my family had to flee Somalia. My father and I went to Kenya and the rest of my family went to Ethiopia. I didn’t know the language or the land, the people or anything. It was very hard to live where no one understands you. One time, a police officer said in Swahili, “Don’t step on me.” If I didn’t respond correctly he would know that I am not from Kenya, and put me in jail. Eventually I learned Swahili and got a job as a money exchanger.

When I moved from Kenya to Minnesota I noticed a lot of differences; like the trees were different; they were bare, like they were dead, and there was snow and ice everywhere. Also, people here swim in the lakes and not in the ocean like I did back home. I got a job working as a machine operator at a factory.

I had to go through the difficulty of this job to pay bills until I got a job I liked. Now I work with little kids. I’m teaching them and I’m happy with this job. I’m happy and love my family; my wife and four children. I will continue on my journey and continue to keep trying my best. Someday, when peace returns to Somalia I hope to return to see the place I grew up as a child.