STEP Dreamers' Washington DC

Photos: Jenny in Ghana
Babajide at Hiram
Sam with Adrian Fenty at the October 2009 AIDS Walk

November 2009 S T E P “ I H A V E A D R E A M ” N E W S

DREAMER BULLETINS:

SAM is spending his junior year at GWU on politics and journalism.
Have you checked out "The Ace"? Sam heard President Obama speak at a Congressional Black Caucus Event, the Phoenix Awards.

KRISTINA completed her course at American Beauty Academy on October 20! CONGRATULATIONS!!
STEP Volunteer Keri Peister is now a teacher at Truesdell Elementary!
JESENIA is a bilingual teller at Wachovia Bank downtown.
EDSON has two jobs: one in maintenance and the other in security.
VERONICA -- a junior at Hood College -- also works at Laurel Regional Community Hospital.
CONGRATULATIONS to DONNALE who has passed the GED at Job Corps.
KEISHA is installing cable for COMCAST.
JOSH recommends the "virtual wallet" account at PNC Bank. Check it out!
It's basketball season again in Hiram, Ohio where Jide is a Junior on the team.

MRS. LAING CAN BE REACED BY CELL PHONE, TEXT, EMAIL, AND FACEBOOK.COM!!
STAY IN TOUCH!!!

College Dreamers,

Check with your academic advisor to make sure that you have the credits you need.
Go to the CAREER SERVICES OFFICE for summer jobs and internships.

JENNY: “Adventures of a Non‐Ghanaian in Ghana"

1. So on my arrival to Ghana, NO ONE WAS THERE TO PICK ME UP FROM THE AIRPORT!!! Some angel told me to write down the numbers of whom to call, just in case this would happen, but Satan, told me to not worry and just hop on the plane and I would be fine. So I'm at the airport at 11pm, tired after a 20 hour flight‐no sleep‐ and I'm looking everywhere for a sign that says “WELCOME JENNY TO GHANA” but instead aggressive taxi drivers who wanted to give me a lift bombarded me. FINALLY, a quite handsome security guard walked me to a café and I used the Internet and got to my destination about two hours later.

2. Just to let y'all know, the time difference is only four hours. We are four hours ahead of the US: if it is noon in Ghana, it is 8 am in the US.

3. The weather here is very, very, very weird. It is their “winter” season, and you can NEVER predict the weather. It may look like it is about to storm, and you should put your rain boots on, but 20 minutes later it will be hot and sunny. Humidity is part of life here; it is humid 27/4. It can be freezing at 2am and it is still humid.

4. I live in a hostel, a huge dorm, with about 500 people on it. It is all International people from all over the world: Asia, Norway, the Caribbean, all over the 50 states, France and all over Africa, and Australia.

5. Our dorm has not had running water for five days now and we have to walk to the neighboring hostel to shower and use the bathroom, which is part of the experience, I guess.

6. So far, I have been mistaken as a “Rasta” by a policeman. (Rastas are looked down upon on campus cuz they are known for causing drama and smoking that “GANGA,” aka weed.) That was a hilarious experience cuz he called me out in front of a crowd. I just busted out laughing, but he wasn’t. I have been called “Obama’s wife," everyone calls me “Black American.” Some random white guy thought I was his tour guide???? The list goes on.

7. This campus in HUGE. I literally walk at least 10 miles a day.

8. I am taking an African Dance class, which is fun, but you sweat like crazy. I am taking a Marketing class, where 80% of the population is males. The professor is hilarious! When a female gets up at any point of the lecture all the guys “hiss” at her or “whistle.” It’s quite amusing but so chauvinistic.

9. I got in a heated argument with a RASTA who called me rude and disrespectful. I gave him some words back, and he was shocked that I had the nerve to say something back. Then I noticed I was surrounded by a number of dudes, so I piped down and gave him the evil eye. IN CONCLUSION, he ended up giving me a nice African necklace for FREE.

10. I am really enjoyin' myself. No complaints. I miss you all, and be safe.

P.S. There are no hippos, but there is a monkey down the street on a leash, but we can’t play with him. I am not in a jungle.

KIM writes:
School is busy as always. Basketball season start October 15, and my first game is November 15. After fall break I will be hosting a Bible Jam (known as Bible Study) in my dorm.

STEP has been holding monthly luncheons for our Dreamer Moms.
Childcare is provided, while the moms share tips on taking care of little ones while working and studying. Speakers share information, and there are always special gifts for the Moms and the children. Transportation help is available. If you have missed these events, held at St. Columba’s, usually on Saturdays, think about attending in the future. Check with Mrs. Laing for dates and times.

SADE writes:
Hey dreamers, I'm doing great!!! God is working so many things out in my favor! I miss you all ...continue to do well! On the other hand, I’m working on my 3.0 GPA or higher. I’m happy to find out that I will have an on campus job next semester ...what a financial relief! I have been busy with an internship for my major, which was a blessing ‘cause I get
hands-on experience! My family is great, and I hope yours are the same. Stay strong. Signed, #1 Dreamer (SADE)

STACY wrote: “I work @ the Kellogg Conference Hotel on the Gallaudet University campus, where I take a sign language course, and I am a front desk associate.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS! PLEASE COME TO A STEP PARTY!