Khalid Sguiri

Khalid Sguiri

We are here today honor Mr. Khalid Sguiri. We are grateful that Mr. Sguiri visited our class and shared his inspiring life story. We learned so much about the importance of family and supporting each other. We learned that families can be separated by an ocean, and brothers and sisters can live in different countries, but still feel very close and depend on each other.

The Eagle Heights Community has a very special connection to Mr. Sguiri. Mr. Sguiri is one of the custodians who does an amazing job of keeping the building clean, safe and ready for us to learn. We appreciate how hard he works and how awesome it is here at the Upper Campus.

Mr. Sguiri was born in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. The old city of Rabat is a beautiful city surrounded by a wall. The old city reminds people of the long history of Morocco. Today there is a new modern city and many towns growing up around it. Morocco has always been an important area in Africa because of its location. It has always been a center of business. Most people in Morocco are Muslim and speak Arabic and French. Many people can speak Spanish as well.

Mr. Sguiri was just three when his Mom died of cancer. His dad married a new wife and things in his house changed quite a bit. He was mainly raised by his older brother and sister in a separate part of the house. He didn’t leave home when he started working. Mr. Sguiri explained that children usually stay at home and live with their parents until they get married. When he graduated from high school he went to welding school and he worked as a welder in Morocco.

In 1995 Mr. Sguiri won the lottery in Morocco. Not a lottery for money, but the lottery to get a visa and green card for the United States. Many people in Morocco are very well educated but there are not enough jobs for everyone. People don’t always want to leave their home but they have to find a job. His brother won the lottery the same year and together they came to live in the United States. They arrived in New York City on the eve of the Fourth of July. They felt like the whole city was celebrating their arrival the next day. It was a great feeling. The fourth of July is a very special day for Mr. Sguiri and his brother.

Mr. Sguiri came to Minnesota after he heard how beautiful it was here. When he came to visit a friend he decided to stay because he loved it so much. He loves the lakes, he loves that every thing is so green in the summer and he even loves the snow. He said he had to get used to the cold but he appreciates how the seasons change.

Mr. Sguiri began working for Eden Prairie Schools in 2000 as a bus driver. And in 2003 he joined the team at Oak Point. Mr. Sguiri works at the gas station across the street before coming to work at the Upper Campus and Oak Point every day. Mr. Sguiri said he loves his job because everyone is so nice here. He feels at home.

Mr. Sguiri tries to visit his family every year in Morocco. He and his brother send money to their sister to help take care of her. He dreams that when he retires he’ll have a home in Morocco and here and he’ll be able to spend time in both countries.

Thank you Mr. Sguiri for sharing your story with us. We learned so much from you. We learned that it is important to work hard for your family. We learned that it is important to be loyal and care for your family – to help them in whatever way you can. We learned that you can be at home in a new place in the world if you are willing to work hard and treat people with respect.

We are here today to honor Mr. Khalid Sguiri. Here is a special song we wrote with Mr. Larry Long to honor his story. We hope you like your song!