Making a Difference. Changing Lives.™ Together, we are changing the lives of over 27,000 children, families and seniors. Spring 2009
Triumphing Over Barricades Abdulkadir was a “brainiac” and completed most of 8th grade by the time he was just twelve. Math was his favorite subject. His family owned a small grocery business in Miesso, Ethiopia. After school, Abdulkadir helped in the store, completed his homework and was generally a normal kid. Life was good. Then suddenly, Abdulkadir’s father was arrested and tortured by government officials. He was beaten so badly that he was left for dead. His family found him lying in the bushes, brought him home and nursed him back to health. When the government discovered that Abdulkadir’s father was alive, they began searching for him again. This time, they would probably kill him. So, Abdulkadir and his father quickly escaped to a refugee camp in Kenya leaving the remaining eight family members behind. Life became very different. Everything in Kenya was strange and new. In the Kakuma refugee camp, the living conditions were miserable due to extreme shortage of food, Intergenerational Mosaic Unveiled at Southwest Center water, and shelter. So after several months, Abdulkadir left the camp by himself and went Last fall, our Southwest Center seniors worked with students from Barton Open School, volunteers into the city of Nairobi where he worked in a restaurant. Very quickly Abdulkadir discovered from East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association (EHFNA), Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG), and area residents, to develop and construct a mosaic mural on an exterior wall the police in Nairobi were corrupt. Worse yet, Abdulkadir had no opportunities for education. of the Center. This intergenerational art project was intended to improve and beautify the neighborhood, as well as instill a sense of pride and ownership among community residents. “This process was a great example of how art can bring people together. People of all ages worked with each other to create this beautiful piece. I think everyone who sees the mosaic will be inspired by the work and its celebration of our neighborhood,” said Mary Ann Schoenberger, Director of Southwest Center. “The mosaic features images of the neighborhood and its residents that were brought up during the four visioning workshops. Images featured in the mosaic include the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Lake Harriet, a school, the Southwest Center, the Rose Garden, and people of all shapes and sizes. Viewers will also spot surprises in the mosaic, such as special pieces of jewelry or coins that were donated by participants.”
Finally, after eight harsh years, Abdulkadir immigrated to Minnesota in 2007 at age 21. “I was really, really excited,” Abdulkadir noted. “I knew that, if I worked hard, I would be successful.” School was a priority. But, Abdulkadir spoke no English and was too old for the Minneapolis Public Schools. That’s when a friend told (Continued on page 3)
“Working on the mosaic was fun on so many different levels. I loved the challenge of fitting the pieces together and I enjoyed getting to interact with the students from Barton Open School. Just looking at it makes me smile to think of all the people who worked together to make this happen,” said Pat Marentic, a Southwest Center participant. Southwest Center unveiled the new 100 square foot mosaic in November 2008 with a celebration which included mosaic activities, refreshments, and a slide show of the process and the participants. Funding for the mosaic was provided by a City of Minneapolis Innovative Graffiti Prevention Micro-Grant, Volunteers of America–Minnesota and Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG).