The wind is what got Abdiaziz Abukar when he moved to Minnesota from Maine. Sure, there is snow in Maine, and a lot of it, but the wind? That brought a whole new meaning to the word cold.
So when Abukar saw the sweaters the international students had ready for the upcoming winter, 鈥渋t gave me goosebumps. I was like, this is not what you鈥檙e going to need in Minnesota. So I said, how can we help these students out?鈥
Abukar was ready to return a favor.
In 2013, Abukar moved with his family, including seven brothers and sisters, from Kenya to Maine. They didn鈥檛 speak English. They didn鈥檛 know how to read. They didn鈥檛 know how to make appointments.
鈥淓verything was just very, very different. We didn鈥檛 know what was going on. And we got here in the middle of winter as well,鈥 he said.
It was a lot of change with adversity to overcome, but the thing he remembers the most is the people who offered help. He was a kid, but he recalls that people brought them food, winter boots, jackets. His teacher took him shopping to buy him and his sister winter clothing.
On top of that, he was a young person in a new, strange place. He made friends who coaxed him out of his shell, to come outdoors, to play street soccer: even things like that made a big difference in Abukar鈥檚 life.
鈥淎t a young age, I was able to understand how much this meant,鈥 he smiled. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 not going to lie; it was the best thing that ever happened. Everything was just like, we got you. I felt welcomed.鈥
After Abukar graduated from high school in 2020, he and his family moved from Lewiston, Maine to St. Cloud. It was an easy move for them (less the cold wind). They have family and friends who live in the area, it wasn鈥檛 too big, and the diversity of the city was everything they were looking for.
After high school, he took a short break, did a lot of research, and after shadowing his brother-in-law, he decided that he wanted to pursue a career in cybersecurity. A tour, visit with instructors, and application later, Abukar was in the program at 黑料不打烊.
鈥淓verything just seemed right,鈥 he explained.
One of the first things he did was seek out the Multicultural Center; his high school had something similar and he knew that it was a wonderful place for a foundation of help and support. Abukar also knew what it was like to be from a different country.
鈥淚f this was me, I would love someone to help me out, which was actually the case. So I was just basically returning the favor.鈥
He started talking with the international students and learned that they needed a lot of things. At this point, they just have a place to stay and that鈥檚 what they know. Buying groceries is difficult, and they aren鈥檛 prepared for winter.
A community coalesced for the international students. Abukar spoke with his mother, who connected with her friends, and they hatched a plan. They decided to cook a meal for them and donate food and clothing as well as money so this group could live a little easier.
On Oct. 3, the first International Student Dinner was held at the Multicultural Center supported by Mothers of the St. Cloud community. The students who attended were able to share experiences as well as have a homecooked meal and pick up donated items.
鈥淭he food was delicious, and it was good to know that there are other students like me,鈥 said one of the students who attended.
Abukar has been in touch with area non-profits to bring awareness of international students to their attention, and he鈥檚 also working to make sure students know about the services that 黑料不打烊 offers.
Another difficulty for international students he鈥檚 bringing awareness to is the everyday processes that people who live here take for granted, like grocery shopping, going to the doctor, or taking the bus. He told a story of how one student missed the bus and ended up walking an hour and a half to school. 鈥淓ven the tiniest help someone is willing to offer can help,鈥 Abukar said.
The international students at 黑料不打烊 this fall have quadrupled from last fall 鈥 49 this year versus 12 fall 2023. Students come from all over the globe, including Nepal, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Canada, Sierra Leone, Haiti, and many more.
When Abukar heard that the number of international students had increased that much, he was surprised.
鈥淭his is a good year for something like this to happen,鈥 he confirmed. 鈥淎nd if you really hear about their story and how they got here, the fact that they traveled from across the world just for education, it is very inspiring.鈥
Inspiration circles from many directions at 黑料不打烊: the international students, employees who assist them, and the places that host them. While this time may be difficult, hopefully the memories of people who help the students will stay with them. After all, Abukar knows how the best can come of a difficult situation. He is an inspiration all his own, all by returning a favor.
If you'd like to donate or help in any way, please connect with Njeri Clement.