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asdasdsadCreating Bonds, Not Barriers

ESOL Speaks Fall 2017 Community Impact at Columbia University

 ESOL Speaks
Fall 2017

Creating Bonds, Not Barriers

Front Cover illustration: Juan Lopez, Level 6 from 4-6pm

Back Cover photographs: Raul Llitera, Level 2 from 6-8pm
Published by: Community Impact at Columbia University

Designed by: Caroline Yang

Edited by: Kent Katner

ESOL SPEAKS is the creative writing journal of the Jobs and Ed-
ucation Empowerment Program (J.E.E.P.) at Community Impact
of Columbia University. Manuscripts are original and unpublished
poetry, essays, short stories, photography, and drawings from stu-
dents enrolled in the Fall 2017 semester.

Views and opinions expressed in this journal belong to their re-

spective authors and are not intended to represent the views of
Community Impact. Inquiries about the journal, our organization,
or our various programs may be directed to:

Jobs and Education Empowerment Program (J.E.E.P.)

Community Impact at Columbia University
105 Earl Hall MC 2010
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1492

Check out this issue on our website! jeepstudent.org

 ESOL Speaks Fall 2017:
Creating Bonds, Not Barriers

Table of Contents
***
Level 1..9
Level 2.10
Level 3.14
Level 4.25
Level 5.34
Level 6.44

***
Firdevs Soysal, Level 5 from 4-6pm
 A Dedication

from Community Impact

***
Dear ESOL Students,

We have experienced a divisive 2017 and many of us

can attest to how forging bonds in the community
and supporting each other is now more important
than ever.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful submissions
on creating bonds and overcoming barriers, whatever
form those may take. We have really enjoyed read-
ing all your submissions and thank you for your hard
work throughout the semester!

Best wishes,
Community Impact
ESOL Program Staff
December 2017

***
 ESOL Instructors Creating
Bonds, Not Barriers
Andrea Sholl
Teacher, Level 4 from 12-2pm
More than any profession, ESOL instructors create
bonds every time we participate in any way, whether it is in pub-
lishing ESOL textbooks, conducting online seminars, teaching
in other countries or teaching classes here in New York City.
When we enter a ESOL classroom, we create bonds
among students from different countries and bonds between
ourselves and our students. Its an honor to learn from students
and, in that way, we become students ourselves.
In every lesson that we teach, we try to remove the bar-
riers that our students experience, whether its understanding
the complicated English tense system (present, past, future, etc.)
or expanding the vocabulary each student already knows.
We create bonds in our classrooms between students
who know a lot of English and others who know less, between
students who come from countries that are at war with each oth-
er, and between students who come from rich homes and those
who dont.
In the forty years that Ive taught ESOL, Ive had the
privilege of visiting students in their home countries and to at-
tend their weddings. Ive also had students families stay with
me and my family. Some of the bonds that we created have last-
ed for three generations of the students parents, the students
themselves and then their children.
It has been an honor and a privilege to create these
bonds and to take down barriers.

8
Level 1
Level 1 from 10am-12pm (CLOTH)
Eulalia Maldonado
My name is Eulalia. I from in Mexico.
I have lived in New York for 10 years. I have 4 children. I
like my family, I live in Manhattan, I like go to the store to buy
clothes. This is my story.

Level 1 from 6-8pm

Mayra Then de Garcia
Creating Bonds Not Barriers
My story is about my niece, Sabrina Martinez.
Upon finishing high school, her dreams were to go to col-
lege where she ease of approval of scholarships to study a career,
but we did not want her to study far, since she had never left the
house, but then we analyzed what was best for her to realize her
dreams by supporting her with her decision.
She proposed to follow her dreams and applied to several
universities and be benefitted, with the approval that they accepted
her in one of those that she applied with help of her parents and
relatives and managed to take her first step.
She waas accepted at the SUNY New Paltz University
which entered in 2014 to study the race communication disorder
and Spanish. Belongs to multiple student organizations and is also
President of the Union of Latin American Students.
In the summer she supervises in a high school program at
Columbia University.
For the help of God and support of her family will graduat-
ed on 5/19/2018. Thanks.

9
Level 2
Level 2 from 12-2pm (CLOTH)

Stalin Veras
I was born in Dominican Republic in 1992. I grew up in
1992. I grew up in Santo Domingo. My father had a big panaderio
there. My family left D.R. and we came to the U.S. in this year. I
had to find a job and I went to Dominos Pizza and I had an inter-
view that day. I got the job.

Yngrid Paulino
I was born in Dominican Republic in 1975. I grew up in
Santo Domingo.
My family had a walk there. In 1964, my family left Domin-
ican Republic but I came with my daughter in this year (2017); my
husband was here.
I had to find a job, but I didnt speak English very well. So
I take classes.
A supermarket near my house needed cashiers. I went to
the store, and I had an interview that day. I got the job. That was
an important day of me. I still work at the supermarket, but I now
Im a manager.

Level 2 from 3-5pm

Kathleen Torres
Creating bonds, not barriers
A way to creating bonds is to be sincere, understanding,
respect the opinions and customs of the other people, communica-
tion, concern for the other, trust, patience, the ability to listen, flexi-
bility, open minds, generosity, gratitude and loyalty. Another way
to creating bonds is make a potluck is a good way to make friends
and know each other.

10
Mario Rocha
One of the strongest bonds we have is with the children.
We begin our emotional bonds during gestation. These ties are
narrowed by exchanging affection between parents and the baby.
The parent usually talks to
the baby still in the womb
and this act is important to
maintain that bond. At birth,
this bond grows stronger and
tends to grow with love. Play
and caring will make the rela-
tionship cheerful, strengthen-
ing the family bond. My
bond with my children has
always been intense and to-
day is even stronger, with my granddaughters being part of my life.
There are no barriers when we have love.
There are no barriers when we have love.

Alba Barrios
It is important to create bonds in the family, for a healthy
and harmonious coexistence, parents should pay attention to the
needs, not only material ones but also the emotional ones of our
children, without overprotecting them. We must transmit security
and tranquility so that in the future they will be successful people,
without fear of facing changes in their lives. Educating them in-
volves giving them affection but also establishing limits and rules,
maintaining good communication between family members, so that
children have the confidence to discuss personal issues. That is
why it is important that there are no barriers that limit family ties
because the family it's the best we have. Family is forever!!!!

Marlyatou Diallo
I always like greet politely before asking you something. Say
please before or after requesting a service. To be very respectful.
It's also very important to be friendly. To be attentive. Then say
thank you after the questions. All these things make them feel good
and explain what you want with kindness.
11
Wei Zhang
Bonding through English
d

I am taking the ESOL classes at Columbia University. In

this class, the students come from all over the world, and speak
many languages. After learning English, we are able to communi-
cate with each other, and understand each others culture. To get
to know each other better, we are planning on having a dinner par-
ty where each of us will make one dish. We are all very thankful
for this class for bringing us together.

Level 2 from 6-8pm

Raul Llitera

Maria Garcia
I immigrated to the U.S a long time ago. One of the first
problems is not understanding how to speak the language. In my
country the primary is Spanish. It is necessary to speak English be-
cause you need to buy food in the grocery stores, clothes and
shoes. Another problem is getting lost between the streets and
many buildings. I had idea to ask people but they did not under-
stand me. When you live many years in a neighborhood. You see
many people speaking Spanish. Thank for you challenging me that
gives me more motivation. Many of us come work mothers who
are working and caring for children. We have little time to study
and this program is very important. Thank you, teachers and per-
sonnel for the Community Impact Program.

12
 Rudelania Silvestre
ACROSTIC: Bonds
B be tolerant
O offering time
N narrowing negativity
D daily, and
S support people's dreams
Patricia Lopez
Creating Bonds, Not Barriers
If we commit ourselves to a purpose in life, we can over-
come barriers and limits. In a personal, sentimental, and profes-
sional way, we should analyze what excites us, what we like to do,
and what we want to achieve. Let us commit ourselves to a purpose
and overcome barriers with perseverance and optimism. Union
makes force.
Together we can break the strongest barriers.
Let's make a united world.

Priscila Tenesaca Castillo

Do not despair; You will come away
(No Desesperes; Llegars Lejos )
as

Thank you God for giving me the

opportunity to be in the United States, I
know that many people yearn to be in this
country.
I thank my whole family for their
unconditional support, especially for you
Mommy Libia Castillo, I miss you and I
love you with my life. I am proud of myself
because I am achieving my goals, I have
many dreams to fulfill. One of these
dreams is to continue my studies in Social
Communication and continue with the
English levels until I finish them.
Never give up, there is always a new
opportunity to fight and learn, although sometimes we shed tears to
reach our goals but everything is because we want to be better every
day.

13
Level 3
Level 3 from 12-2pm
Iana Skrypnyk
I'll tell you a short but very beautiful story that I heard from
one girl in one cozy place in New York, where I usually like to
drink delicious cappuccino.
This story is very similar to a fairy tale, this is about a sweet
girl from Ukraine and her adventure in New York, or rather in
Manhattan.
When she was a little
girl, she very wanted to get into
the fairy tale in a very beautiful
bright and colorful place, where
instead of people there lived
only flowers and birds and they
can talk.
She was a Beautiful Red
Flower there and she had a
friend, he was a little bird--
Hummingbird. They very often
met and became attached to
each other. They missed each
other very much when they had
to part, so they tried to be to-
gether always. The Hummingbird gently took care of the Flower,
he collected nectar and pollinated the Flower.
The girl often thought about it, she liked to be there at least
in her thoughts.
She grew up but sometimes remembered that fairy tale
which she invented herself in her thoughts and she felt very cozy
and warm as if it was happening in her real life. She continued to
believe in her fairy tale.
Once the girl wanted to get a tattoo and when she came to
the tattoo artist she thought for a long time what kind of picture she
want. And when the girl was looking through the magazines with

14
samples of tattoos, she repeatedly reviewed the pages of magazines
from beginning to end and could not choose. Suddenly she saw a
cute drawing of a hummingbird and remembered a fairy tale which
the girl had invented in her childhood.
After all, the girl had a little friend there, with whom she
never wanted to part. She asked the tattoo artist what the hum-
mingbird means in the form of a tattoo and he told her a very
beautiful legend of the people of Jatibonika from Puerto Rico,
where a hummingbird is a guy and a red flower is a girl he loves
very much. The families of the guy and girl wanted to separate
them because they were at enmity with each other. But they failed
to do it, the young couple turned into a bird and a flower to love
each other forever.
The girl really liked
this very beautiful love story.
She asked the tattoo artist to
make a hummingbird tattoo
on her shoulder, so that her
imaginary friend was always
near.
After 15 years, the
girl decided to visit New
York for Christmas Holiday.
When she came to
this huge beautiful city she
loved this city with all her
heart. There is no more
place on the whole planet
Earth like New York! Only
in New York you can meet
people from anywhere in the
world!
...This girl noticed a guy who looked at her with a very
thoughtful look. She felt something deep in her soul...
It was the guy for her... He's from Puerto Rico.
At first glance they realized that they knew each other for a
very long time. And they found each other in this magical city,
where incredibly fabulous stories occur.
The most unusual thing in this story is that the girl had a
15
hummingbird tattoo and the guy had a red flower tattoo.
This story has a continuation but that is another story, if
you are interested I will continue...
Now I know for sure that love has no boundaries! And no
matter what color your skin is and where you are from, it's im-
portant what you have in your heart! Love has all colors!
It's so beautiful!
Let this warm and cute story bring people of different cul-
tures and different races together!
In the end, all people are the same, all people want to live,
laugh and love!
Let's open doors for each other!

Brahima Ouattara
In 2013, I went to Morocco with my friend. Before we trav-
elled, my friend and I went to the store to buy some jackets. When
we arrived in Morocco, I didnt feel protect myself and I got sick.
My ribcage hurt. I went to the hospital, and the doctor said that it
was because of the wind. I should have protected myself with a
thick, warm jacket.
Anyway, before all this struggle my life began in the middle
of the Ivory Coast, in a little town called Dabakala. If you go fur-
ther you will find my fathers birthplace, Sebolo. This is where
most of my childhood was at. At the end of my childhood I went to
Abidjan to live with my oldest brother.
I want to finish my education. Around 2002 there was a
civil war that had broken out between the South and North. When
that happened, I quit school completely to start my business. From
2002 to 2014, I depended on this business. In 2012 I decided to
go to Morocco with my friend. This is where I got sick in 2014 and
was very ill. After three years in Casablanca (the capital of Moroc-
co) I came back to my homeland. Luck had come my way. A few
months later I got my visa. I arrived in the US and started dish-
washing in downtown New York. I did other jobs too, like delivery,
and now Im a cab driver.
In conclusion, you can be poor, you can be born in the vil-
lage, and one day be rich or work in a very big workforce country
like the US, but all starts with persistence and ambition.

16
Sachiko Kusumoto
Wonderful days in ESOL r

I'm really thankful to feel "CREATING BONDS, NOT

BARRIERS" in lessons of ESOL. I'm not good at English. So I
sometimes feel barriers in my life. But ESOL people don't care
about my English because they know I'm a foreigner.
At first, I was afraid that I came from Japan which is very
far from NYC. One day there were students and teachers who
came from all over the world, not same country in class. We have
very different backgrounds. But we all learn English together. We
can respect each other.
I become more interested in the United States. I'd like to experi-
ence much more here and tell my friends about this world. Many
thanks to ESOL classmates, teachers and staff! I'll never forget
these days in ESOL!
Reianaly Silva
My Dear Venezuela
d

I am originally from Venezuela. I arrived to the United

States more than two years ago. One of the reasons why I arrived
here is that my country's economic conditions are not optimal.
The truth is that things were not always like that. The eco-
nomic crisis that Venezuela is going through is recent and is due to
the fall in oil prices and the government in turn.
When I was born in the 80s, my country was the gold coin
that everyone wanted to have. My country was created of many im-
migrants, most of them from Europe. Everyone went for the op-
portunity that Venezuela offered: to live well, security, and job se-
curity. And anyone who wanted to make money to take his family
forward in Venezuela could fulfill it.
Today my country is not the shadow of what it used to be,
corruption, thieves, lack of experience and mediocrity in the hands
of the rulers took Venezuela to the abyss.
After having been the country in which the majority of im-
migrants wanted to have a better quality of life, today ended up be-
ing the country where more young and prepared people would em-
igrate to seek a better quality of life. Even the foreigners themselves
returned to their countries of origin and their relatives along with
them.

17
 It is very sad to know that what remains in Venezuela today
are the elderly who do not want to leave their country, no matter if
there is no food, there is no security, there is no cash, there is so
much corruption in the government. And the price of things even
in the Bolvar, our national currency, loses its value every day, lead-
ing Venezuela to be the second country with the lowest minimum
wage in the world.
A couple of months ago the government in turn eliminated
the Congress that was an opposition majority. So today Chavismo
governs without any control and although we will have presidential
elections in 2018, the hopes are few due to the control that the gov-
ernment already has all the institutions.
Borders are just meant to ignore that others might need
help sometimes. My story highlights the need to have open bor-
ders, here in the US and everywhere else. The rest of the world
currently represents hope for me and my people.

18
 Level 3 from 4-6pm
Belgica Abreu
Conscious Acts of Kindness
When I was living in San Francisco de Macoris (my city) at
the Dominican Republic, every December I delivered a basket of
food containing basic foods and clothes.
The most important thing about it, is the satisfaction of be-
ing able to serve people that I don't know and see the happy faces
of those who receive help.
When l came to the United States of America, one of my
goals was to serve others and I found the opportunity at the Com-
munity Impact ESOL/TASC Program.

Aissatou Mahmud
Creating bonds not barriers
Language is a medium of communication which bonds
people together. The ability to speak different languages always
helps people to communicate better and this helps to create bonds
and not barriers. For example, language brings people together by
creating ethnic, tribal, cultural, and sometimes national identity.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Pro-
gram helps to bond people together through the English language.
In my level 3 class there are many students from various countries
whose primary language is not English. However, we are bonded
together through our new language which is English. In the nut-
shell, being the new Americans, ESOL program will help us to as-
similate into the mainstream society of the United States. For this
reason, one can say that, the ESOL program is creating bonds and
not barriers.
Your student, Aissatou Mahmud.
Thank you.

Aurora Sanchez
In my country in the street I found a dog, I rescued him. I
took him to the vet. The dog was sick. The doctors medicated it
and look it to an animal shelter.

19
Rogheiny Guzman Lagombra
Creating Bonds, Not Barriers
When I lived in Puerto Rico, I bought different canned
food to send the poor people in my country, the Dominican Re-
public. This people need help because they dont have work, and
this family is very poor. I always send food and clothes to them,
this action make me happy.

Wei Po Tai
Kind Acts
Last week I cleaned the car lane and helped my neighbor
clean too, but I just cleaned the tree leaves.
When Im in the bus or subway and see the elderly people or
somebody who needs a seat I will stand up and give my seat to
someone who needs it.

Level 3 from 6-8pm

Junior Moreta
My name is Junior Moreta. I was born in the Dominican
Republic. I am 30 years old.
5 years ago I live in this country, which I had spent working
11 hours 7 days a week.
I had also spent part of my life with fear of having children
for fear of not being in a good economic position. Two months ago
I changed my job and a little princess was born, which I love with
all my heart and for which I would give my life.
Now I realize what I was missing every time she looks at
me, laughs, and tries to speak when I'm playing with her. Nowa-
days I do not have money, but my girl does not lack anything.
On the contrary, I think she has everything because she has
a father who loves her and gives her the time she needs.
(Do not be afraid to make changes in our lives or we will
not know if they are worth it and remember that God's time is per-
fect).

20
Luz Miryam Builes
I belong to a paddling dragon boat team and we support a
cancer foundation (Paddle for the Cure).
Paddling a dragon racing boat requires a lot of cooperation
and teamwork. It bonds the group in a very special way.
Share new experiences, solve problems together and over-
come challenges is a perfect team building experience and one of
the best ways to build memories and bonds with the families and
survivors to celebrate life.

Rafael Perez
Hurricane Irma & Maria
The Hurricanes Irma & Maria that were formed last Sep-
tember affected several islands of the Caribbean and even the state
of Florida of the United States. In this area, it caused a lot of dam-
age, mainly in tourism. The affected Caribbean Islands: Puerto Ri-
co, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and the Dominican Republic were
the most affected by these natural phenomena. Hurricane Maria
did so much damage in Puerto Rico that currently several areas of
this island do not have electric power and 55 people died. In Trini-
dad and Tobago, the Hurricane Irma destroyed many houses and
buildings. In Cuba Hurricane Irma mainly affected the structures
of tourism, agriculture and 10 people died. In the Dominican Re-
public, what most affected the country was the water that Maria
brought with it. Agriculture was the most affected, as well as many
citizens who lived in vulnerable areas where their houses were de-
stroyed. As always in these types of phenomena the most affected
are the poorest. These natural disasters caused people to bond by
helping others. The United States and the International Communi-
ty offered a lot of help to Puerto Rico. Players from big leagues and
21
artistic figures provided a lot of help to Puerto Rico. Another ex-
ample is the International Community helping Dominican Repub-
lic in the crisis of this natural disaster. These natural disasters
caused different people of different backgrounds to come together
for one cause which was to help those affected by these natural dis-
asters.

Carlos Reis
Dried lives
I'm so sad
I'm so boring
I'm so tired
I'm so upset
I'm so aimless
I'm not very well
I'm not good enough
I'm no goals

Finally arrived here

Without anything

But full of hope

Where I found more barriers... ha ha ha

What is life worth without barriers???
How much fun does it have???

They are the barriers that make us strong and prepared to

overcome our own barriers.

Every day, every lift, every morning I raise shake the dust
and turn it over I never give up.

All this is interesting and innovative where I board another

towel in the late afternoon.

To overcome is to overcome our own barriers.

Creating bonds
22
Leslie L. Castaos De La Rosa
I Learned To Love
I had no contemplation
no mercy and I learned to love
I do not look at race or color
and give my heart

forgive me for learning to live,

for becoming happy,
for not thinking about time,
Do not even think about dying

What will I have left of everything?

I do not know, but I prefer
risk me to become

I will not stay in the reason,

I'm going to give my skin to the illusion
of the awakening in your song, that the melodies of your
soul reach my heart

I wake up from the calm and the passion of dawn on your

shores I return the laughter that did not have time ago.

Carlos Diaz
Uncertainty and Cold
Fighting against uncertainties and cold
In a distant country
Multiplying the courage to go out and fight
A world full of so many worlds
The bite to the apple everyone wants to give
The great dream of all being able to be American
Everything is intermingled
In different races and languages
Dreams that do not have a date
Like a ship drifting
City that absorbs the days
The hours and the years!
How difficult it has been for us, Brother!
23
 To be happy here
Feelings wandering through the alleys
City full of dim lights
That little by little light sadness
City that God set aside
Putting a big apple
Looking carefully
Those who follow in his footsteps
That unfortunately
Although we know the rules
We keep going to look for it!
Gray city that God put us
To measure the faith of beings
How strong your spirit can be
To follow the path to the sky

Regina Then
Created Bonds Not Barriers
My story is about my neighborhood in the Dominican Re-
public.
Our neighborhood is constituted by a group of families, all
with different thoughts, ideas, and customs.
However we have been able to establish and maintain good
relations among all of us because we have created a neighborhood
where we hold regular meetings and discuss the common issues
that affect our neighborhood in order to take us as a true family.
Eliminating the obstacles limit a good relationship. Thanks.

Alison Polanco
My Story
Last year, I went to Dominican Republic with my 20 year
old son, Argenis, and my cousin. Before we traveled Argenis and I
got a shot for flu. Its a serious disease in Dominican Republic. I
told my cousin he needed the shot. But he said I do not believe in
that.
When we got to Dominican Republic Argenis and I were
fine, but my cousin got sick with flu, he went to the hospital. He
finally got better but when I go to Dominican Republic next time, I
will make sure everyone gets a shot.
24
Level 4
Level 4 from 12-2pm
Andrea Vahos
BONDS AND BARRIERS
Do you have bonds and barriers of your happy days? For
me, my bonds are my memories of my childhood and my barrier
is that its impossible to live those times again.
The happiest days of my life were the ones I spent with all
my family together, the special days
with them like birthdays, Christmas,
New Years, or just a weekend shar-
ing a delicious lunch, maybe doing
something for my mother. She
loves to cook, and I love her meals.
I miss that a lot, now more by being
away. But in general there was a time
in my life where I was very happy
and I did not know it, the time we all
passed through in which we
dreamed of being great without
knowing what it meant.
I think we all remember the
time of childhood, of school when
our only obligation was to do homework fast to be able to go out
and play. At that time, we wanted to be adults and now that we are,
we would like to be children again and enjoy it much more.
My bond to my childhood memories will always be with
me. The barrier of not being to live those times again is reality but
I continue to create new bonds in the present and to the past.

Sonia J. Collazo
Gratitude Message
The knowledge of a new language opens us many opportu-
nities, allows us to know people and make new friends, understand
what they think and long in their natural language, opens us oppor-
tunities to progress labor, bilingual is a comparative advantage

25
against a person who it is not.
2 months ago my life took a major turn. I returned to my
English classes, and every day I feel that I learn a little more,
thanks to the teachings and especially to the patience of the masters
who with the greatest good will share their knowledge, achieved to
speak with others, lose the logical fear of doing the ridiculous, that
we feel all the students of a new language.
I have to highlight the human quality of my companies, be-
hind each face there is a history of overcoming, of fight, of hopes
and hopes of a better life not just for them but for the whole fami-
ly. It is a team work, without egoisms of any kind, it is sharing expe-
rience and knowledge where the one who knows a little bit more
helps those who know less, without petulance or false modesty...
Only for the fact of being useful.
I think that this beautiful experience is only the beginning
of a new life, therefore and many reasons, I only rest say to the
ESOL Program from Columbia University... Thank you for giving
me the opportunity to be part of this great institution.

Ratree Cook
My husband and I went to Washington D.C. for Thanks-
giving to meet some of his family for the first time. They were so
nice and welcomed me into their home. It was fun playing with the
kids. I'm sure they had fun, too. I really felt like part of the family.
After Thanksgiving, the family took us to see the museums, gov-
ernment buildings, and monuments. It was so much fun, and I will
never forget this trip! I had a great time creating bonds with my
husband's family.

26
 Joseph Wilkenson
Haitian Cuisine

Isabel Echavarra
Creating Bonds, Not Barriers
Don't tell me a story you don't know; let it be me who tells
you my story.
Many times, we see someone and, simply because they do
not speak our language well, or they belong to a different race, or
they dont have our skin color we don't pay much attention to
them. They may have a different culture, religion, profession, or
educational level. Maybe they simply have different points of view
and still we put them aside. We live in a wonderful country that
offers marvelous opportunities for the majority of the people who
arrive with dreams. There are people all over the world who
bring their culture, religion, profession, education, language, food,
music, dance, and different points of view. As a result, sometimes it
is not easy to create bonds immediately. Everyone experiences his
or her own way of adjustment.
Sometimes we are resistant to change which is normal at
first, but it is necessary to open our minds. Every person has a
unique design from the Creator God and each person can teach us
many important things. As Ralph Waldo
27
Emerson said, All men that I know are superior to me in one
sense, in that sense I learned from them." Lets open our hearts,
minds, hands and let us together create bonds, not barriers. We
live in a difficult and complicated moment in history and we, the
people, need to make the firm decision to unite, to love, to take
care, to protect and to accept each other with our differences. In
addition, what makes our world interesting and beautiful is diversi-
ty. Can you imagine a world where everyone thought the same?
This would be pretty boring. In addition, when people create
bonds, can develop new ideas or thoughts useful to build a better
future for future generations.

Level 4 from 4-6pm

Maksim Blokhin
One evening, while Peter was watching the Discovery channel he
heard an amazing concept.
It turns out that scientists came to the conclusion, that the
first thing which made a person a person is the ability to choose
more tasty food and save it for later.
Scientists have noticed and elaborated on this concept. If
some monkey doesnt eat any food then it is immediately eaten by
his relatives.
He watched this show in the evening after he came home
from work. After finishing the show he lay down on the sofa to
rest.
Surprisingly to himself he suddenly fell asleep and saw a
dream
It was as if he was sitting in cave full of bearded humans
dressed in hides. Peter, himself, looked just like the rest. In front
of him was the bonfire and the humans sat around it in a circle. A
boiler stood above the bonfire, boiling, and judging by the smell, it
was fresh and tasty meat. Suddenly, Peter noticed a very strange
detail. All the people and he had really long arms which didnt al-
low them to bring a piece of delicacy up to their mouth.
Why is that? - Peter asked in his dream.
This is hell ground, one of the men said. We are suffer-
ing here

28
 Peter sensed that he was waking up, but instead he saw that
he was again sitting at the fire in the cave. He and the people
around the fire had the same long arms, but all the people were
shining with joy and smiling.
Why are you smiling? he asked.
After all you cant even eat with your own hands!
We use these hands to feed one another- the answer fol-
lowed.
Peter woke up back on his sofa. The TV was going on
about communication with the use of internet and new devices to
further bring the people together. He turns the TV to another
channel. It was show about loneliness in the network and people
with Facebook depression.
No! said Peter. The bonds arent as important as the
quality in them. Oh, if only all people could improve on such
qualities of their interpersonal relationships as humanity, ethics,
and altruism.
Then we could have a completely different quality of life. Is it
really just a dream?

Iulia Cristina Stoian

Lets Use Knitting and Crochet as Group Therapy
Since I was a child, I was introduced to knitting and cro-
cheting by observing women from my family, when they were get-
ting together, especially in winter season, and watch them showing
off their knitting skills and styles, to each other. It did not take
much observation, and I got caught in this wonderful craft art.
From my experience, up to this date, with crochets, knitting
needles and yarns, in my little work group, I realized and I will sup-
port that the knitting and crocheting in a group is that you can
teach others what you know about a craft while learning what they
have to offer.
First, the process of learning the craft together helped to
create a sense of cohesion and community among the group mem-
bers so that they were more comfortable working together. A
friend of mine always uses the phrase connection before content,
i.e. a group must feel kinship for one another they can access deep-
er levels of friendship.

29
 People in therapy groups who
are coping with grief, abuse and other
difficult situations may find it easier to
begin talking with others about a pro-
ject they are working on before getting
comfortable enough to talk about
more personal issues. Even in less in-
tense situations, it can be helpful to
focus on knitting and crochet in a group. These activities are great
icebreakers and relaxing at the same time. The benefits of crafting
in a group setting are as follows:
Camaraderie with people who share at least one thing in
common with you:
Accountability for working on and honing your craft; inspi-
ration from others; affordability in comparison to many other types
of social groups; self-esteem building thanks to support within the
group.
Five years ago, I participated in a crafting group therapy
overcoming a difficult part in my life, because of a failure. After few
group meetings, I regain my self esteem and I gain a lot of new
friends.
In conclusion, I would like to launch an invitation to initiate
a local crafty meetup that could be the starting point for conversa-
tions, friendship and to improve English language.
Professor John Benyon of the University of Leicester says,
evidence shows that arts and crafts bring much wider benefits to
our communities and society, for example in terms of improved
health, greater social inclusion, less loneliness and stronger cultural
ties.
Level 4 from 6-8pm
Manuel Yuicela
When I came to this country and when I arrived, I started
to work. With people who not speak Spanish I did not know any-
thing. That's why I started studying English. Now that I'm turning
on I'm opening a barrier to a better or maybe well-paid job.
Thanks.

30
Megumi Taguchi
When I was in Japan, I always had problems relating to
other people. I was going to school everyday, I was trying to smile
everyday. I liked helping people. But, I had a lot of problems.
Many people hated my character. People thought I was severe and
serious. When I was in Tokyo, I participated in a Vietnamese ex-
change meeting. I had never felt so comfortable talking with peo-
ple until then. I found my place among other immigrants. I want
to try my personality overseas and find a place where I could be
true to myself. I wanted to start a new life in the USA.
But it was difficult, and having relationships with people
was a barrier. My school had a lot of Japanese people and there
were Japanese staff. They spoke Japanese all the time. The teach-
er was working as if it were a business. I felt uncomfortable and
never got accustomed to it, even though I had spent a year there. I
talked to the head teacher many times, but the school system never
changed.
At the time, I took a Community Impact class. I found that
it was not even painful for me to study English for 10 hours a day.
I was rather happy. Im grateful for this opportunity Columbia has
offered. I like to talk to people more. I was able to put out the
best of myself. These classmates feel like family for me. Im not
afraid to make mistakes. Im able to be myself as I am. I dont
care about peoples gaze anymore. They made my heart open. I
was surprised. Before, I found it annoying to have a conversation
with another person. However now, Im enjoying time here. I feel
like this has been the most comfortable Ive felt in my New York
life.
Im grateful for Americas opportunity. It led to my
growth. Also, its a big chance to connect with people. Im even
studying Spanish now because I want to help many people and talk
with many more people.

Mayra Marmol
One of current barriers in our society that prevents us from
moving forward is gender violence. The 25th of November is the
international day against gender violence, but beyond this day we
unfortunately have to talk day after day, about the abuses to which
many women are subjected, because there are too many cases, not
31
only in the Dominican Republic, but also worldwide.
There are different cases of violence such as: intra-family or
domestic violence, gender violence, violence against women, vio-
lence against children, social violence, among others.
Regardless of its name, violence is a social, cultural and political
problem that hinders development with equity by preventing the
right that every person has to live in an environment without vio-
lence.
Violence against women is a never ending issue, because
many women are not able to denounce the abuses to which they
are subjected, often out of fear, or for what they say, and for this
reason is that today there is so much death in my country Domini-
can Republic.
The lack of authority means that every day less is reported
abuses, abuse, and the shame of the society in which we live.

Maria Alicia Garcia Fuentes

Religion can build bonds and not barriers when it builds
ties of family unity, of love, friendship, coexistence as well as offer
moral and emotional support. It can bring peace to countries. Re-
ligion can build barriers when it causes discrimination, causing peo-
ple to die and kill.
When religion acts as a uniting force, and not a barrier, it
brings people closer to God, a God of love, who gives meaning to
our existence. Religion can serve to make sense of what we do not
find explanations for, to hold on to something. For example, we
cannot explain who is the maker of the Universe, we cannot know
what the true origin of the first man is, but we can take refuge in a
being who does not have our qualities and defects, but is a superior
being called God. Religion can offer an explanation of how to live
in society and helps us be more secure, suffer less, and have fewer
worries and tensions. Beliefs are a psychological defense mecha-
nism that allows people to deal emotionally with stress. Religion
helps people see not only their own interests but also those of the
rest of society, making it more peaceful and supportive. It helps us
make people happier.

32
Alejandro Zarate
America today has long ceased being a nation in black and
white. The color America has been changing since the end of
World War II, slowly at first and rapidly in the last four decades.
Today anyone who has visited urban public schools can see the
growing number of children from India, Korea, Japan, Guatemala,
Mexico, Dominican Republic, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and many
other countries. Already generations of children have grown up in
an increasingly multicultural nation where millions of immigrants
from Asia, Latin America, and increasingly Africa have change the
face of America and challenged the notion of America as a nation
of english only citizens. But no other language is heard more of-
ten on street corners, in urban stores, suburban malls, and the
workplace than the spanish language -- and no immigrant group
stands out for its sheer size and sweeping presence like the Mexi-
can immigrant population.
Multicultural America, like multilingualism, is the gift or
the price depending on your point of view-- of an economically in-
terdependent world in which people globally are on the move fol-
lowing borderless flows of capital and finance. Mexicans, like other
immigrant groups, come to America looking for work and eco-
nomic opportunities. Much like Koreans in Japan, Turks in Ger-
many, Algerians in France, Tunisians in Italy, and Irish, Indians,
and Pakistanis in Great Britain. But unlike other immigrant
groups, Mexicans, like the Native Americans before them, lived for
hundreds of years-- thousands in the case of American Indians--
before the first Anglo-Americans crossed the Mississippi River in
the present day American West and Southwest.

33
Level 5
Level 5 from 12-2pm
Mamadou Aliou Bah
Together we can make the world better
The contemporary reality, characterized by the immoral
pursuit of gain and interests in all circumstances, brings societies to
often impose a selectivity in their relations to the detriment of hu-
man considerations.
Economic, security or geopolitical priorities must not take
precedence over the universal values that underlie humanity: edu-
cation, tolerance, solidarity, love, happiness, etc.
Today, globalization is only a reality in the free flow of capi-
tal and information. Barriers are built for people according to often
subjective factors.
We must be united to fight together common threats such
as global warming, human rights violations, discrimination, terror-
ism, poverty ...
In the face of all these challenges, humans must not forget
that they are constituted in the same way, that they face the same
threats and face the same challenges. And that an unhindered glob-
al society that guarantees the happiness of all can be a reality.
We must make diversity an asset to promote living togeth-
er. If everyone, no matter where they live, makes it a priority, it
would be reasonable to be optimistic for humanity.
May God bless us.

Alexandre Bekoa
Dear supervisors, teachers, and classmates: I am called Al-
exandre and I intervene so about the topic of reflection that we
were given this semester to know Bonds bring people together
and often barriers keep them apart. Then I can simply say that
since the night times people have woven links to promote the pros-
perity of peoples because we often say we always need the smallest,
that is this will mean that everyone is important in society, rich or
poor, black or white should conjure efforts for living it together

34
because we are nothing without the others and if we are something
it is because of them. However, there are some people who always
make efforts to put barriers to we have wars, poverty, terrorism,
selfishness, trafficking, unemployment, etc To finish I will say
that although we are different from each other by color, by the cul-
ture, by the religion do not forget about that we are the citizens of
the world and the color of the blood in our veins is red!

Level 5 from 4-6pm

Lucy Esperanza Rojas Obando
CREATING BONDS, NOT BARRIERS
CRER DES OBLIGATIONS, PAS DES BARRIRES
ERSTELLEN VON BONDS, NICHT VON BARRIEREN


BARDS
CREANDO LAZOS, NO BARRERAS
, "
CREARE OBBLIGAZIONI, NON BARRIERE

,
s
CRIANDO OBLIGES, NO BARREIRAS
The majority of the people agree that the main bond we
must establish to get all ours goals and dreams is LOVE. Reflect-
ing about our steps, since we were born, in other words, all person,
has been the product of this wonderful bond called love.
All our evolution, the process of life, that is to be born, to
grow, to reproduce and to die requires love. Also, everything we
need to do, think or build needs that essential feeling or ingredient
to make it work better. We will all have experienced that prepar-
ing a kitchen plate requires it to be more exquisite, we have per-
ceived it, as well as when we do things accompanied by love. It is
something like a medicine too. Whenever I have done anything
with love, even the smallest one, it has had better results. Working
together for a good result creates good ties, It is evident that the
union is strength because it is an excellent link or bond, strength is
an excellent bond united by love.
And precisely love is the only key or tool capable or ena-
bled to create links or bonds between us. When there is love, there
are no barriers, limits or obstacles between human beings. We

35
could think that it was someone devoid of love who started the task
of creating barriers by disparaging others. If there are differences
between men, creating barriers is destructive. I could say that to
speak in the same language is good, this is understand us, but the
languages are barriers.
Let us shake our hands as a symbol of union, strength and
love. Anyway, we show love when we decide to learn English to
overcome that barrier that separates us. Thank you Columbia Im-
pact! You have allowed us do it.

Habib Pogosian
Create bonds, not barriers
Hello!
I am Habib and I am an immigrant from Russia.
Creating bonds has always had a big role in my life and I
have always given a huge importance to it because it has helped me
and many other people, especially in the field of Human Rights
activism, not only for interaction and cooperation, but also for
showing solidarity and empathy.
Long before moving to the United
States I was volunteering in Human
Rights School at Sakharov Center in
Moscow, Russia.
As a former team member
of one of the workshops of this
School and a part of it I have
helped to engage many people in
our educational programs, who
were interested in Human Rights.
We have organized trainings, work-
shops, seminars and many other
activities to create bonds among
people who support and want to
protect Human Rights in Russia and
the post-Soviet area. I was the part
of the organizing team of the work-
shop on civic control, which was for teaching people how to moni-
tor peaceful assemblies and police stations.
For the same purpose, which is to create bonds and thus
36
support Human Rights, I have volunteered at Amnesty Interna-
tionals Russian branch and have done a lot of work by participat-
ing in different street actions for Human Rights. Amnesty Interna-
tional is one of the best examples of how bonds are created and
how it can help people. Its members show solidarity in their every-
day struggle for Human Rights and against tyranny and injustice. I
have written many letters of support to the political prisoners in
Russia, some of whom (A. Sutuga, A. Polikhovich and others) are
released now, which shows the importance of creating bonds and
showing solidarity.
Another example from my experience in creating bonds is
connected to one of my first protest actions against Russian military
interference in Ukraine. That is when I had to explain people
about the horrors of war and why we shouldnt allow our govern-
ment to kill innocent people from the other side. During the action
I saw how people who live in daily reality hate propaganda, at one
moment realize that they should speak against war, consolidate and
demand the end of the war, and the collapse of the wall that was
being built by those who dont love but hate.
After I moved to the US, I am still worried about the situa-
tion with Human Rights. There are many unsolved problems here
as well and the situation has gotten worse after the disappointing
presidential elections. Racism, police brutality, massive deporta-
tions of undocumented people keep reminding us that we need to
create bonds, instead of barriers, and now is the time that we need
solidarity most of all.
Although it was very hard to see how people have to leave
their families and children because of the racism at the state level
and deportations, I still believe that solidarity can help change our
terrible reality with mass populism and rising nationalism.
Every Sunday me and other concerned citizens cook and
serve food for homeless people. We regularly protest for children
who come by DACA program, for healthcare and for equality and
peace, and other issues that should be solved. We can see our im-
pact on society and our big contribution.
I think this is important and this is the time to be strong
and united, to organize, build and resist.
This is the time to create bonds, not barriers.

37
Libia Gil
Light and Shadow
Human beings have
created technology, and
thanks to it, we have been
able to fortify or create new
bonds, because we are able
to communicate faster by
speaking, writing, pictures,
videos and others, that allow
us to be close to our families,
friends, acquaintances, and
whoever is close or far from
us, also we are able to create
new friendships or meet many people who had disappeared from
our lives. But we cannot only do it on a personal or family level, it
extends to our work, finances, business, etc, and it also keeps us up
to date with the news about what happens around the world and
gives us the opportunity to help others.
But with all these things, human beings are also creating
very strong and dangerous barriers that are dehumanizing the
world, by being familiar with the machine only. This is turning peo-
ple into robots that have forgotten how to feel and express their
feelings or interact with others in a personal way. For example, in
restaurants and at home you see families gathered around the ta-
ble, but distant from each other, not having any conversations,
wasting precious time by focusing on the internet. You do not hear
them saying beautiful or encouraging words anymore, sincere and
cozy emotions, useful personal advice, because they do all this us-
ing technology.
We should take advantage of it in a controlled way, instead
of letting ourselves be carried away completely by it, because it af-
fects our health and relationships, which are essential factors in our
daily lives.
We have to be a good example of coexistence for our chil-
dren and youth so that we can create a better world, because they
are the future. We still have time, it is not too late, lets start right
now.

38
Wildson Tiburcio
I believe that when we are creating bonds is when we make
our goals more strong, because that means our relationship with
one or group of people is the main factor to get everything that you
want in your life. Nevertheless when we talking about barriers, the
word says everything is limited, you feel that something stops in
your live, and everything is a difficult for you, but when we think in
bonds that means we have the resources to get a successful live,
cause when you help everybody around you, everybody around
you going to help you. In that moment is you know that you're cre-
ating bonds, not barriers.

Level 5 from 6-8pm

Jos Reyes
On the banks of abundance
One morning in the month of August, while the bus I was
traveling on was approaching the city, I felt homesick and tired.
But the long trip did not prevent me from observing the metropolis
that could be seen to my right, protected by an imposing lady, who
torch in hand, supposedly welcomes all. I could only see her back,
but it still impressed the one who rushed to penetrate the depths of
the tunnel that would lead us to one of the most imposing and di-
verse cities on the planet.
Invaded by thoughts of all kinds from the differences re-
vealed in the events of Charlottesville to how so many deficiencies
and abundance coexisted in perfect harmony at the heart of West-
ern culture. Meanwhile the bus moves slowly through the traffic
that characterizes the big cities, allowing newcomers to see less
glamorous parts that are not perceived from a distance but just as
significant in the history of the city as the impressive buildings.
To think that in places like this on the banks of abundance
thousands of misunderstood from all over the world find refuge
and fight every breath to find a place to settle down and achieve
their dreams, or simply pursue an illusion.
However, in these vast lands of prosperity groups of those
who arrived first are angry because the descendants of those who
brought their ancestors in chains and those who came after moti-

39
vated by the same desires of freedom and prosperity of the first
settlers, gain significant space in the decision making.
They forget that this great nation is the result of diversity,
that from it two civilizations encounter and their fierce struggles,
through the Civil War to the digital revolution in all the defeats suf-
fered there was division and in all the victories the unity of those
who arrived first, those who arrived later, those who brought and
those who were the key to success. History teaches us, those who
isolate can win battles but not war and those who make alliances
and integrate succeed and prosper.

Abdalsslam Abdalla
My Journey from a small village in the middle of Sudan to New
York
My name is Abdalsslam Abdalla. I was born in a small vil-
lage located in the middle of Sudan. My mom didnt go to school.
When she grew up there were no schools, but she got a traditional
education. She studied Quran (islamic studies) and my father too,
but he grew up in a different place.
My father has five brothers and six sisters, he is the oldest.
He came to my moms village in 1975 looking for work. At that
time people came to Gezira State because there was the largest nat-
ural irrigated project in the world (2.2 million acre), farmers culti-
vated cotton, wheat, dura and beans.
That means I grew up in a rural area. When I was a child,
my dream was to have my own farm with some animals. Thats
why I felt happy when I went to the farm with my father, some-
times we went on donkey, others walking.
My father encouraged us to study, he told us he will be hap-
py to pay our tuition and we have to study, then we can take his
responsibility in the future.
He sent me to a secondary school. The distance between
the school and our village was 9 kilometers. For three years I went
from home to school until I graduated, then I enrolled in the uni-
versity faculty of education. There I became a human rights activ-
ist, we made many campaigns calling for freedom, civil rights, so-
cial justice and democracy. Many times the security arrested us, but
we didn't give up!
In Dec 2012 I left my country and went to The United Ar-
40
ab Emirates, I got a new job and worked as a security supervisor
for two years. At that time I was very active in social media against
the governments policy in my homeland.
In Feb 2014, I got a new job in a private school, I worked
as a teacher for two years, then in May 2016 my life changed when
I won the DV lottery program. And I asked myself, why Im going
to The United States of America?
My friends felt happy for me, my feelings were mixed. I
had a dream opportunity, but I was thinking about my family be-
cause I will move to a place far from them. I started listening music
that made me connect with my homeland, mother, father, brothers
and sister.
In Nov, 2016, American elected their 46th president and I felt
frustrated because Mr. President announced that he was against the
immigration policy in The United States of America.
Mr. President received his duties on Jan 20, 2017, he is-
sued a travel ban on Jan 27, 2017 and my country was the third
name on the list. I was already prepared for my interview sched-
uled for Feb 12, 2017.
At that moment I saw my dreams falling apart, I couldnt
do anything, I was angry, I thought Im unlucky, why Trump was
elected in this year, He couldnt wait? He could be a good presi-
dent if he waits four years. I felt disappointed. Many questions
were around my mind.
Suddenly, when I was deeply depressed, I got a text message from
a friend. He told me that a judge from Seattle court canceled the
travel ban in Feb 9, 2017. That message returned me to life, like
someone waked me up and gave me a beautiful bouquet of flow-
ers. The day after I got an email from the US embassy in Abu
Dhabi, they told me I had to attend on Feb 12, 2017 for my inter-
view. I felt happy and prepared to be on time at the US embassy.
My visa was issued and two days after I got my passport
with my DIVERSITY VISA on it. From that moment I started my
new life story, studying English in Columbia University has been a
dream opportunity for a person who came from a small village in
the middle of Sudan, but I believe that nothing is impossible under
the sun, when you work to achieve your dreams.
Now Im interesting in NYC, I will start my MA in interna-
tional education next fall, I got accepted and Im ready to start. In
41
three years Ill be qualified to start my dream project to reform the
education in my country. We can build the best education system
that will enhance values, global awareness and knowledge for our
next generations.

David Ballesteros
LOVE AND HOPE IN THE MIDDLE OF DEATH
Many times we ask ourselves questions about which we do
not know the answers. One of many that happen in our head and
we try to find a solution, but the reality is different.
When you arrive in this country without any reason or purpose,
you always ask yourself that question. Not everyone chose to come
here for pleasure. Many like me, we come to
seek refuge and save our lives, it is hard to leave the people you
love and leave them with a totally broken heart. Leave a life behind
to start a new one, in a totally unknown place for you, different cul-
ture, different people, and in this case, different language. The first
time I arrived in the US, it was pleasant, very fun, I spent all the
money I brought, and I returned to my home, telling that experi-
ence of the North American country. Time passed, and I
had a devastating event, bad people tried to kill me, at that mo-
ment, my mother told me, Son you have to go far from the coun-
try. I did not think or analyze the situation, I was just in front of
my laptop, I chose a destination, and deep inside of me, I hear said
New York, and it was. All my families started crying, but they
wished me a blessing and told me that
everything would be fine for me.
When arriving at the airport, it was something incredible. I
had no friends, I had no one to call and ask for help, I had no one,
only me and my two suitcases. I was very confused by everything
that happened a day before, everything happened very fast in my
life, until I sighed deeply, I sat down. And I started crying, that cry-
ing was without consolation and very heartbreaking, because I un-
derstood that I would not see for a long time those people
that are important for my life.
Without having a destination or direction, thank God there
Airbnb, was my best friend at that time, I could contact a room,
somewhat expensive, in a short time. Thanks to that empathy that
characterizes me, I could contact friendships, within those friend-
42
ships. My friend Alex, who was very supportive during this experi-
ence in the city with more immigrants around the world.
In a few months, I met the most important person and to-
day, is my breath and is the person that has motivated me to be
someone in this country, thanks to him, I can wake up
in the morning and see that in life everything It goes through a pur-
pose. Today I am someone HAPPY, someone grateful for the cir-
cumstances that happened in the past. Today I have a FAMILY
that loves me, and I live surrounded by a lot of love. Ricardo is the
person that when I see his eyes, I feel that feeling that everything is
possible. I dont feel sad anymore.
Thanks to my dear friend Elias, for giving me words of en-
couragement and hope, and to Modesta, she is Ricardos mother. I
have to thank her for bringing the person that makes me happy,
which has been a light on this way that I am beginning.
The only thing I can say is thanks. And for all who can read
this little story, I want to tell you that this is the country of opportu-
nities, its just a matter of putting your effort and dedication into
what you want to be.

43
Level 6
Level 6 from 12-2pm
Chahrazed Serrab
Bonding through language
English as a second language programs (ESL) are taught to
give support to newcomers, and Columbia University through
Community Impact is one of the multiples Universities in New
York which promotes this program.
The ESL program helps new Americans learn English or
improve their English via conversational English, grammar, read-
ing, listening comprehension, writing, and vocabulary.
English class and its volunteers are the heart and the soul of the
program; they have helped thousands of people every year. Then
the program now includes many locations in Columbia University
area.
As students, our passion for the language is part of the rea-
son of our motivation to learn every day, because we perceive the
Languages as a social issue and we all have experienced having a
language barrier when we came in this country. Also, we all noticed
a lack of understanding and communication between new Ameri-
cans and people who had lived in the U.S their whole lives.
Therefore we quickly realized that by learning English, we
could change people's vision toward us. The language helped us to
evolve, to prosper and sometimes convert stressful situations into,
harmonious, humorous or fun ones.
We think that contact through language could help break
down the barriers and misunderstandings. In other words it plays
the most important bonding role in our life, made our world such
beautiful : we get to know so many different cultures, we have so
many books to read, so many places to visit, so many things to
learn and the most importantly so many people to love.
So, as ESL Class students, we have been empowered
through this program to be self-sufficient, we wanna thank you for
all the interest, the kindness we have been shown.

44
Fatoumata Camara
My name is Fatoumata Camara. Im
from Mali, West Africa. I am a Marride
woman. Mali is 1,240,00 square kilometers,
17.99 million population. I come from
Fourth Region small village Baroueli. Mali
was French colony. Mali is surrounded by 7
states.
I came to America to have better. America is international
country. I hope in future life is easy but I have to work hard to be
stable for myself. If here is opportunity I will take it. I choose to
stay in America because of the benefit that it has for me and their
free opportunity that I had the chance to have. Im lucky to do the
things I do now because not everyone will have this chance. Am
grateful that immigrants are given a chance in life.
Thanks.

Randa Bahit
Build bonds, and break barriers

Ai Weiweis piece of art Placed under Washington Square Arch.

"A picture is worth a thousand words.

45
 Level 6 from 4-6pm
Anli Cao
Family Bonding
When I was a child, parents were almost my whole world.
When I grew up, parents became my opponents!
When I left the family so far away I became a kite
But the thread of the kite was hanging in the hands of my
parents!

Ibelka Paulino de Ortiz

I Love You..
If I were born again
I would choose you many times;
Because you are the light that
Illuminates my darkest nights.

I dont imagine a life

without you, you are so perfect
As I dream of you!

Lina Lyuy
SOULMATES
I can always be there if you need me,
I can always be there for you.
Call me a friend or a person to speak with,
Anytime when you want me to be a friend.
Dont speak out loud, pretend its a secret,
Just believe me and you wont be wrong.
Lets be soulmates, its not always easy,
But its better than to be on your own!

Mirian Cruz
PEOPLE
Life gives you the joy of meeting people,
I would compare them like the leaves of trees;
Some of them fall, some of them are blown away by the
wind;
And some of them stay with you forever!

46
Lorena Burgos
I Will Fly!
I will fly if your love could
involve me, my soul with your
eyes and your hands in my
heart.
I will fly when your words
Fill up my heart and
My sense with your sweet
Voice in my sky.

I will fly with your call in the

Morning to tell me how much
You love me and you dream to
See me each day to make me
Feel your love directly to my heart.

YES!
Olivia Roque
Because there was no place else to go
The earth is my whole world.
Here I found the love, the sadness and the hope.

My soul cried when I lost my sky

I prayed with all my heart
To God to give me another chance;
And stop the watch of time
To remind my happy heart
And I found it in a sunshine!
God told me in my ear
I give you the brightest gift
The life you can live!

47
William Roberto Scocato Teixeira
You&Me
If you go, I will follow you,
If you stay, I will stay with you.
Because by your side nothing else matters.

Together we are strong,

Together we are a bond,
Its about love, its about you
You and me, me and you!

Alicia Yang
CAT
I have a cat
His name is Modi
He is the best cat I have ever seen before.
He is always so sweet.
He told me he likes my eyes
When he saw me the first time.
He told me
I look like a cat
Like a mystery and sexy!
Do you believe in fate?
That destiny brought you to me
You dont know why, me neither!

Sumie Tamura
Creating bonds, not barriers
As for the barriers of living life, Im now focus-
ing on Divorce in the middle-aged or old-aged. A common rea-
son given by silver splitters in Japan is that They want to
live in their own way for the rest of their life after retire-
ment. Couples have divided their responsibilities of job, child-
raising, and nursing care for family over a long lifetime. But after
retirement, they want to released from these heavy duties. They
want to be oneself, become more of oneself, and be oneself more
freely.

48
 Even if we were concerned about our financial future if we
divorced, we stuck with our marriage, but we might have said I
think that we have to spend as much time as possible away
from my husband. In Japan, retirement has become a risky mat-
ter for many wives, who find the stress of their husbands presence
at home unendurable. After-retirement stress is a common prob-
lem in most developed countries as husbands and wives try to bal-
ance relationships in their long life. This includes one-fifth of Japa-
nese people who are now over 65, the highest percentage in the
world. According to government statistics, the divorce rate among
those married more than 20 years (that includes most of Japans
married senior citizens) is now the fastest-growing in the country,
more than doubling to 41,958 divorces in 2000 compared with
20,435 in 1985.
I am thinking about the right way to handle these silver
splitters. This is the creating bonds, not barriers between silver
aged people like me. I think the better way is for men and wom-
en to gain re-employment (re-enter the working world). Its not too
late. We are not too old to look for another job if we are
healthy. If there is no necessity to work more, we had better have
many hobbies and better step outside our door and get many
friends; not making barriers around us. We have a long life ahead
of us. It is better that we spend that time enjoying each other. Do-
ing more around our barriers is a small price for me to pay. Lets
break our barriers and create bonds for our happiness in senior
life. For example, some senior couples travel through the
world with plenty of time. They spend their time together hiking
mountains or walking. As for my example, I am enjoying NY life
alone and my husband is still now working for my family and he is
enjoying his marine life in Japan. On the weekend, he is enjoying
yachting, boating with his friends near our house.
It helps when you share common interests and have similar
values with your husband. Then you feel more yourself with your
husband.

49
 Level 6 from 6-8pm
Issoumalia Zou
Creating Bonds, Not Barriers
"I will tell you the story of a young man who came to the
USA seeking a better life like many other people. He thought he
had a successful life as he was self-sufficient and had a peaceful life.
Having a lot of passion, he resolved to try and earn more
money to help his large African family.
After graduating from high school, he went on to study a
seven-year program in his hometowns largest university and
earned his doctorate in pharmacy. He then worked as a pharmacist
for 4 years in the public administration.
However, once in the USA, this young person, who is a
French native speaker, encountered his first challenge: the English
language barrier. As a result, the intellectual he was felt like an illit-
erate man just because of his inability to speak the sole English lan-
guage. The other four languages that he speaks fluently did not
make any difference.
Despite his strong background, this young man was obliged
to go back to school to study to overcome the English language
barrier.
It would be interesting to think of establishing a universal
language that will be spoken in all countries of the world so that
this barrier no longer exists.
The young man in question was me...

Joel A. Iturra
What makes us grow bonds with other people is a funny
thing; we are tied to our own experiences, fears, and hopes. We
choose our friends based on what we perceived about them; how-
ever if we dont see their faces, their body language we lose an im-
portant feedback and mistakes are made.
On the other hand, technology have leaded us to be inter-
connected as never before. Letters are now instant messages, calls
can be made at any time to any place in the planet and at no extra
cost. Video calls are every day more frequent and we are forgetting
to say hello and goodbye because we are always chatting.

50
 We can know where are our loved ones and if they read
our messages. We can say good morning and good night to our
friends wherever they are or share a picture of that awesome cake
that we are eating in our favorite Hungarian Pastry Shop.
Its heaven on earth for introvert people like I tend to be
and a way to feel less alone. I remember when I was in the Univer-
sity, I got an account for an old IBM mainframe (a centralized
computer) and in that room, full of giant monochrome terminals, I
chatted with people from all over the world. I missed classed and
wasted too many hours chatting there and it was only the begin-
ning.
Nowadays everybody has one or more chatting app and we
spent hours on social media that we are forgetting to meet in per-
son. Or if we do, we dont stop looking our cell phones.
Technology is a great tool, but also a double-edged sword if we
cant calm our horses. Its too easy to infer the wrong intention on-
ly because the other didnt include an emoji and sadly, not many
people know how to express their thinking and feelings.
Communication has been always an imperfect art, we have to learn
to listen as much as we talk. Technology must be a support for our
relationships, not the only link and if we care about someone, its
our obligation to make the time to strengthen that friendship, tell-
ing what bother us on time and of course, share activities in real
life.
If we let our anxieties and ego dictate our behavior we are
using this tool in the worst way possible. I know that is not easy,
specially if like me, you are one of those people that think too
much.
These last months I have thought a lot about this and my
only advice is that when, and you will, made a mistake, just apolo-
gize and let the door open, some friendships are worthy to retry a
hundred times.

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