I woke up on Aug. 11 to celebrate my eighth anniversary of leaving refugee life in Kenya and moving to Maine. Sometimes I find it hard to believe this much time has gone by since I departed Kenya carrying only a refugee document and a U.S. visa printed on a piece of paper. I remember […]
New Mainers
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Young New Mainers get a hand from those who’ve been there
A new Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine afterschool program for asylum seekers is staffed in part by college students who also came to Maine from African countries.
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Housing solutions for New Mainers a top priority
In recent years, Maine has become a haven for people fleeing conflict and violence in their home nations. Naturally, it would be ideal if there simply were no wars or famines and no one ever in such a situation. However, life is often hard and so I think it is wonderful that we are offering […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
One Westbrook to look at city-wide equity issues
The volunteer group composed of different nonprofit and city officials aims to engage with the community about social justice and equity.
Posted inFood
After growing up hungry in Portland, Cognac entrepreneurs help fight food insecurity in Maine
Golden Wat Cognac founding partner Kevin Ly relied on free food programs as a kid in Portland. Now, his company is donating 100 percent of its first-year profits from Maine sales to Full Plates, Full Potential.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: New Mainers face a dismal dating scene
Dating in Maine seems to be only for those who share a common culture and goals. Most Mainers have only been exposed to people from Black and brown communities through news stories, and that seems to be one of the challenges of interracial and intercultural dating in the state. While this challenge is also true […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Language center gives New Mainers boost in quest for college degrees
The new facility at Southern Maine Community College provides tutoring to help students apply their developing English skills to course work.
Posted inFood, Schools and Education
Westbrook schools incorporate students’ cultures into the lunch menu
The district is introducing dishes from Africa and the Middle East into school lunch to offer immigrant students something familiar and to broaden the palates of American-born kids.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State, News
Portland celebrates its welcoming nature with ‘The Walk’ for refugee children
The art-and-culture festival begins with a free concert at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the Eastern Prom.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Books, Review
Bedside Table: Many perspectives on Maine in these books
“I have two books on my bedside table, and, no coincidence, both are about Maine. As a retired physician who spent my career on the West Coast I have returned back East and relocated from Portland (OR) to Portland (ME). Knowing little of the rich history of the District and then the State […]