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This is the first installment of photos from youth living at Lincoln Woods Apartments, a low-income housing community that primarily houses Somali and Eastern European families. In partnership with Human Solutions and YWCA LearnLinks, we’re thrilled to have an opportunity to be working with Lincoln Woods youth for the next three years. This project is made possible by a grant from the United Way. Be on the lookout for more Lincoln Woods photos later this spring!
My dad is the most important person in my life. He does not live with us, but I want him to come. He lives in Somalia. He calls us every holiday or if something important comes us. He is nice and gentle, and he is always there for me, and he sorts out every problem that I have, and I miss him so much.
I am from Somalia. I live in Oregon. I come from Somalia to Portland. I lived in the country. I brought clothes from Somalia. And pants. They are very good. My family got a computer and a camera and toys when they came here. When I first moved, reading was hard. English is hard to speak.
I have a dad but he is not here. He is in Africa and he helps my aunt. Sometimes he calls me on the phone and he tells me that he misses me so much and he tells me that my little cousin is sick. Sometimes I cry because I miss my cousin. I love my dad and my little cousin.
The first day of school was really hard. Everyone was talking in English and some were talking in different languages, but there was no Somali. I was the only Somali in the school, and it was so hard making new friends, and learning a new language, and going to a new school.
When I came to school I was so afraid. I saw a lot of students, and there was one girl. She came up to me and she said, \
The first day of school was really hard. Everyone was talking in English, and some were talking in different languages, but there was no Somali. I was the only Somali in the school, and it was so hard making new friends, and learning a new language, and going to a new school.
Last Friday was my holiday, and Thursday was Thanksgiving. It was fine because I ate chicken with my family. On Friday, I went to the prayer hall. I went to my cousin\'s house and played some games. Then I went to my friend\'s house.
When I was new to America, all the people were staring at me, and I was mad and they were just staring at me, like they\'ve never seen me before, and that\'s what happened to me. So, I didn\'t know any English, and I couldn\'t talk to people. So, I was a quiet person and that\'s what happened to me when I was new to America.
When I came to the USA, everyone was staring at me because I was wearing a hijab and everyone else wasn\'t.
When we come on the airplane my mom was like, \
Where I lived before I came to America, there were lots of buildings made of metal. It was big and it was night. Something bit me on the my hand and my mom took me somewhere, and they cut my hand and put sugar on it.
When I first came to the United States, I did not speak English, so it was boring. When I came to the United States, I did not go outside, so it was boring. When I went to school I did not have friends, but after six months, I started making friends.
I lived in an apartment in Egypt. We had two maids. When I started kindergarten in Egypt. When I went to the 1st grade, we had to wear a uniform. We have a picture of my dad that sits on the wall. We brought it from Egypt. It\'s important to us because he doesn\'t live here. He lives in another country.

Lincoln Woods

Ayanley

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AyanleyAge: 12

I am from Somalia. I live in Oregon. I come from Somalia to Portland. I lived in the country. I brought clothes from Somalia. And pants. They are very good. My family got a computer and a camera and toys when they came here. When I first moved, reading was hard. English is hard to speak.

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