“I don’t have much of a big hope for myself. I only hope my daughter can find a good husband to marry, to have a happy family, and that they will treat their parents well. That will be enough for me.
Just like many new immigrants from China, we had a big dream that we could make a fortune when we came to America; the dream shattered after we arrived. The reality is that we have to work long hours day and night long, mostly in a restaurant. We work so hard, but only get by. So now I’ve adjusted my hopes to have a stable life. That’s good enough for me. I don’t have too many things to think about.”
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也没有什么大希望吧，我就希望我的女儿找到一个好先生，有一个幸福的家庭，善待父母，这样就好了。像许多中国移民一样，梦想着来美国的时候要赚很多钱，来 到后才觉得不可能。移民来到这里从事的大多是餐馆行业，每天都要工作十几个小时，很辛苦。所以我现在对自己的工作现状很满意。过的好就可以了，只要每个月 收支平衡就足够了，我不会去奢望其他了。
For the full interview, visit https://www.facebook.com/exposureredefined

“Sometimes when I see the students sneezing and coughing, I go downstairs to make them some hot tea with honey and lemon packs..I tell them to get lots of rest and I pray that they get better the next day. I like seeing the kids happy. I give some of them birthday presents and Christmas presents and If I could afford it, I’d give a gift to every one of them. There used to be an employee appreciation board on the wall and the kids would always put my name on the board and write really nice things about me. Sometimes they text our managers and tell them that we make their day better. That’s the kind of thing that keeps me here. It always comes back to the students. I’ve been here for over 40 years already and I treat them like I would want someone to treat MY child if they go away to college. When they come to campus for the first time, they’re afraid because it’s a new environment. I always try to encourage them to never stop learning and growing..”

“I served in the Army for 16 years. Serving this country was the greatest experience in the world. It was my duty to fight and protect the freedom that we sometimes take for granted. If you ever get the opportunity to go to see other countries and see how they live, you’d be surprised. I’m proud to be an American. With everything that’s going on in the United States, I tell the students that you guys are our future leaders. We need y’all to fix the problems that are affecting this country. I remember when people used to say that we’d never have a black president. But then it happened. When Obama was [first] inaugurated, people came from all over the United States and abroad came to witness this landmark.. to witness history. I mean we had people sleeping in the parks – it was crazy! I just wish that my mother was alive to see it. “

Unsung Hero #23 – Javon Lee, Food & Service Worker at Leo O’Donovan Dining Hall
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“There is a side of Washington, D.C. that a lot of people don’t know about and where tourists won’t go. I’m talking about the north-east side and south side of DC. It’s like a jungle man, everything there is backwards.. I’ve been involved in multiple gun fights throughout my life… From my freshman year to my senior year in high school, I’ve literally faced death twice. I’ve even had a gun to my face point blank… it’s crazy because if you really know me, you’d know I hate violence.. I have always been the peacemaker throughout my life. In my old friend group, I have always been the one breaking up the fights – which is what got me in those situations in the first place. I kept bad company around me. Even now I thank God for sparing my life.. I want to grow up to be 100 years old and be positive role model for my kids even though my dad was never one to us..”
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Unsung Hero #22 – Tsion Kibron, Food & Service Worker at Epicurean & Company
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“My mom and I moved to the United States last year. She’s having a really tough time adjusting to the culture here. She doesn’t speak English very well and it’s hard for her to find a job. I’m working hard now to help her financially.. Family is very important part of my culture in Ethiopia – we have to support each other. I’m taking sociology classes at Montgomery College and working here as a cashier on the side. Working and going to college at the same time is tough but it is teaching me a lot.. I’ve learned how to manage things by myself –I even pay for my own phone bills and pay for my school! This is my first job and I’ve already learned how to be independent!”

Unsung Hero #21 – Emma Benitez, Food & Service Worker at Leo O’Donovan Dining Hall
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“I work in the kitchen and make the sandwiches and salads for the students. I start from 6 in the morning and end at 2 in the afternoon every day from Sunday through Thursday. I’m planning on retiring in a few years.. I want to go back to Guadalajara in Mexico. My husband and I have been working for years since 1990 to pay off the house that we bought, paying it off little by little every year. We finally paid it off and now I can enjoy life because of our hard work! America is a beautiful country especially because of the opportunities here.. In America, you can always work your way up. But back in my country El Salvador, if you don’t have an education.. many of us end up working at a farm for 3 to 4 dollars a day. That’s why I always pray and count my blessings..”

“I was born in Southern Sudan. I left my country in 1965 and spent 21 years of my life living in west Africa – especially in Liberia. Life here [in America] is nice… I really miss my home. I haven’t been back to Southern Sudan in a long time – almost 45 years..

I have been here at Georgetown for over 20 years now. One of my favorite memories here at Georgetown was attending the Abissa show on campus.. They have a showcase every year that really reminds me of my home country. When I went to the show, the students were so happy to see me! It brings tears to my eyes when I watch the students dance and celebrate our culture.. just to share my identity and reconnect with some of the students and get in touch with my culture again ..makes me see that this is my home now..”
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We are fundraising to help one of our very own Georgetown workers, Suru, go back to his home country, Sudan (Africa) and see his family after 45 years! to make a contribution visit //www.gofundme.com/Unsung-Heroes

Since you’re celebrating your 40th birthday today, what’s something that you’ve learned about yourself throughout the past year?

“I’ve learned how to be happy with what I have. I’ve learned that you don’t need to pursue a “career job” or a [formal] 9-5 to be happy. Because you can have that dream job or make a 6 figure salary but still be miserable. It’s very interesting because I have a college degree and people are surprised that I work here! I realized that not everyone is meant to have a “career job” and that sometimes you just need to go where your passions [lie]. I’ve realized that I’m happy here with the students. I pretty much know all of the [students] that stop by — either by their [favorite] Starbucks drink or by their name! You guys keep me young and motivated to come here.”

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If you get a chance to stop by Starbucks, be sure to wish Elonda a happy (belated) birthday!

“I grew up in El Salvador and came to the United States in 1983 as a refugee. I escaped from the El Salvadoran Civil War. Back then I was only 17 years old and I had to serve by force. I was in my first year in college when I got drafted! I didn’t even have a choice, they took me by force to the army. As soon as I got drafted, I thought about how to escape. It was a horrible experience. Many of my uncles, cousins and friends back home got killed because of the war. What I regret the most is that I couldn’t even say goodbye to my family..

I escaped over night. When I came to the US, I struggled to get by. I didn’t speak English very well and I faced a lot of discrimination because of it. I remember how those years went.. I felt like I was all alone. That’s why I try to go out of my way to talk to all different kind of students here at Georgetown – students from all over the world. I know what its like to feel discriminated against because of the way I talk and the way that I look. But in the end of the day we are all human beings. We are one human race… We don’t come from different planets.”

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The next time you see José or other Food & Service workers – take the time out to say hello and spark up a conversation! Every unsung hero has a story, we just have to take the time to listen and show a level of acknowledgment.