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Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 1

Facing Diversity:

MARSHALLESE

STORIES

2017

2 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories


In 2013, I decided to go back to school and in-ish my college education by earning a bachelor’s degree in social work. Returning to college after a 20 year hiatus was daunting, to say the least, but I felt more invested this time around. This time I was a single-parent juggling classes, work, and a three-year-old.

I had always been a good student—I enjoyed reading and staying up-to-date on current events. I believed I was savvy to issues facing our society, especially in Dubuque. I was born and raised here, and except for the 10-years I lived in Kansas City, I lived in the same house since I was two years old. I thought I knew Dubuque, knew the people living here, knew the culture, and knew how to live as a “Dubuquer.”

Then one day, in a social issues course, my mind was blown. My professor described a demographic living in Dubuque that I had never heard of. She talked about a population that immigrated to the United States out of necessity because their way of life and their land was disappearing. She talked about a place I did not even know existed, half-way around the world, and they live in this community I thought I knew so well. These people were the Marshallese that resettled in the U.S. from the Marshall Islands.

I knew I wanted to know more about this culture that I had just learned was an important part of my community. That’s when I came across the Facing Project, a nonproit organi-zation with the goal to connect communities through storytelling. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to educate not only myself, but other community members who may know little about the Marshallese culture. This plat-form would offer a safe and empowering avenue for the Marshallese people to tell their story. That led to a partnership with the Facing Project and the Inclusive Dubuque Network to produce Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories.

A Brief Look at the History of the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands are a sprawling chain of volcanic Islands and coral atolls in the central Paciic Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philip-pines. In 1944, the U.S. gained control of the is-lands under United Nations auspices as part of the Trust Territory of the Paciic Islands follow-ing the end of World War II. When my professor

began talking about the relationship between my country and the Marshall Islands, I began to feel overwhelming sad and disappointed in myself for not really looking at my community and seeing what was going on around me.

While searching federal government and na-tional press websites, I discovered that between 1946-1958, 67 nuclear tests were conducted by the United States military in the Marshall Islands. The largest detonation was in 1954 over the Bikini Atoll. This detonation, named “Castle Bravo,” was 15-megatons. It was much larger than the estimated six to seven megatons, and could be seen 2,600 miles away in Okinawa, Japan. Castle Bravo’s explosion was 1,000 times more powerful than the explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it was determined that radi-ation fallout from this explosion was discovered in cattle in Tennessee.

The radiation destroyed vegetation, contaminat-ed the water, destroyed ish, and left inhabitants of the islands with radiation burns and sickness. There are stories of children not only playing in the ashes of the fallout, but also ingesting them. People were removed from islands and could no longer go home. According to a Brookings Institute article, an estimate of 665 inhabitants were overexposed to radiation.

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories By Suzie Stroud


In 1985, the Compact of Free Association (COFA) was created between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. In simple terms, this document allows the people of the Marshall Islands to live and work in the United States. They are not citizens, they do not hold Green Cards, but they do have Social Se-curity cards and numbers. In Iowa, they do not qualify for government beneits such as Medic-aid, Food Stamps, or TANF (cash assistance) unless they are citizens.

Along with the aftereffects of radiation exposure from the nuclear testing, there are complications to the Islands as a result of climate change. Most of the Marshall Islands are only six feet above sea level so the rising level of our world’s oceans is a great concern to residents. The sea level has risen about one foot in the past 10 years and when high tide occurs, the salt water comes up on land and contaminates their gar-dens and wells for drinking water.

As the atolls and islands become more unin-habitable, emigrating to the U.S. under COFA is going to become more of a necessity for the Marshallese people to survive. When the Mar-shallese relocate to the U.S., not only dothey leave their islands behind but they must

assimilate to a new culture that is very different from their own.

I hope as you read these stories, you come to understand not only why these individuals have been forced to lee their islands, but gain empa-thy for the challenges that come with grieving for a lost way of being while also adjusting to a foreign culture. Suzie Stroud is coordinator of Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories

Marshall Islands By the Numbers:• Population: approximately 70,000• They are made up of two archipelagic chains,

with a total of 29 atolls.• The average elevation of the islands is only

seven feet above sea level.

For more information on the Marshall Islands visit these websites:

http://wapo.st/2pokgwQ

http://bit.ly/2pQKDxY

http://bit.ly/2parvfI

http://nyti.ms/2pUkeje

http://huff.to/1XlKsFa

The Marshall Islands (circled) . U.S. Government map.

HawaiiMarshall

Islands


Ilo 2013 eo iar pepe nan rool im jikuul im kamj college bwe en wr a bachelor degree. Ke iar bar rool im jino college likin a kar bjrak iumwin 20 ii, ebwe an kar kakmkm btab ilo tre in iar pojak. Ilo tre in, ij make lale ajri en nej me jilu an ii, im ilo ejja iien eo wt ij poub ilo ao jerbal im jikuul.

Aolep iien ij kate e ilo jikuul, emman ippa riit im lale nuuj ko rekl. Iar lmnak bwe elap a kar jel kn wween mour, elaptata kn wween mour ilo Dubuque. Iar dik im rttolok ilo jikin in, btab iar bar jokwe ilo Kansas City iumwin 10 ii. Mweo iar jokwe ie ilo Dubuque , iar jokwe ie jn ke ekar 2 a ii. Iar lmnak elap a jel kn Dubuque im armej ro ie kab manit eo ie im bwe ijel kilen mour inwt juon “armej in Dubuque.”

Btab juon raan, ke ear wr juon iien kmar knono kn wween mour an armej, iar lukkuun bwiln ke rkaki eo a ej kmelele kn jonan lnin armej in Dubuque, im melele ko ear kwaloki ijjanin kar ron kaki im ejjelok a jel kaki nan jidik. Ear kwalok kn jonan armej ro rar emmakt tok nan America knke wween mour ko aer ilo jinoin im aeln eo aer ejakolok. Ear knono kn juon aeln iar jab jel ke ear lukkuun juon aeln, im armej rein rej mour ilo ijin me iar lmnak elap a jel kake. Armej rein ej RiMajel ro rar itok nan America jn Majel.

Kii iar lukkuun knaan kalaplok a jel kn armej rein ilo jikin in me ij kab jel ke rej mttan ijo ij itok jne im elap an aork nan na. Iien eo in me ij kab jino pd ilo Facing project eo, juon doulul me rejjab kmman jn btab kttpar eo aer ej nan kajjion kalaplok aer melele kn jukjukin pd ko an armej ikijjeen aer etali bweb-

wenato ko ikijjeen jukjukin pd ko an aolep armej. Iar kile bwe ej juon iien ejejjet im epellok nan na kab ro jet me jidik wt aer jel kn mantin Majel nan kalaplok am jel kn men kein. Men in ear kmman bwe

Facing Project eo kab Dubuque Network eo ren maron jerbal ippn doon nan aer kwalok kn bwebwenato ko an Ri Majel ro me rej kwalok kn oktak ko me rar iiooni.

Jidikin Melele ko kn Bwebwenatoun MajelAeln ko ilo Majel rej jet iaan ne ko me rar walok jn volcano ko kab malo eo ie ekanooj in ln wd ie, im ej pd iktaan Hawaii im Phil-ippine. Ilo ii eo 1944, aelnin America ekar jino

tl ne kein ikijjeen jipan eo jn United Nation inwt mttan Trust Territory of the Paciic Islands likin kar Pata eo an Lal Kein Karuo. Ke rkaki eo a ear kmelele kn ktaan aeln in a im Marshall Islands, iar lukkuun bromj im inepata ippa make kn a jab lukkuun lale ta ko rej walok ipelaak im aeln in a.

Ke iar kmman etale ko kn kien eo im news ko rej walok pelaakin lal in iar loe bwe ilokwalpenlok ii ko 1946-1958, ear wr 67 nuclear test ko jarin tarinae eo an America ear kmmani ilo Marshall Islands. Bomb eo elaptata rar kmmane ilo aelnin Bikini ilo kar ii eo 1954. Etan kar bomb in ej Castle Bravo kn jonan kajoor ne 15 megaton. Elaplok jn kar jonan eo kar lmnake bwe enaaj kar jiljino lok nan jiljilimjuon megaton, jonan an kajoor kwmaron loe jn 2,600 mail ettolok ilo Okinawa Japan. Jonan an kar kajoor bomb in ear 1,000 alen laplok jn bomb eo kar joloke ilo Hiroshima Nagasaki, jonan baijin eo ear walok jne ear jelt menninmour ko ilo Tennessee.

Baijin in bomb in ear kokkure mennin eddek ko, ear kabaijin dn ko, kokkure ek ko, im armej ro bareinwt rar naninmej im bwil

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories By Suzie Stroud


kilier. Bwebwenato ko rej kwalok bwe ajri ro rar ikkure kn melkwarar ko rebaijin im rar bareinwt wranilok. Armej ro rar aikuj emmakt jn ne ko aer. Ekkar melele ko jn Brookings Institute emaron kar wr jonan in 665 armej ro me baijin in bomb eo ear jelt er.

Ilo kar 1985, kar kmmane kwn eo etan Compact of Free Association (COFA) kwn in iktaan America im Majel. Kwn in ej kmaron an armej in Majel mour im jerbal ilo aelnin America. Rejjab citizen in ijin ak ewr aer Social Security card im nmba. Ilo Iowa rejjab bki jeraamman kein ikijjeen takt, Food Stamps, ak TANF (cash assistance) renaaj maron wt elanne rej citizen.

Eln wween ko reppen rej walok jn kar baijin in bomb juon iaaer ej ikijjeen climate change. En-

anin aolepen Majel ej jiljino ne utiejlok jn dn kn men in elap an armej ro inepata kake. Dn eo emj an wanlnlok juon ne ilo kar 10 ii ko remootlok innem ne ej iien iallap dn ej itok nan ne im ej kokkure jikin kallib ko im aibj lal ko rej kjerbali nan idaak.

Ilo an jakolok ne ko im atoll ko eln RiMa-

jel renaaj aikuj emmakt tok nan America ikijjeen COFA eo bwe ren maron mour. Ne renaaj

kmmane men in reban baj emmakt wt jn ijoko jikier ak renaaj aikuj katak bar juon manit me elukkuun oktak jn manit ko aer. Ij kjatdikdik bwe ilo am riiti bwebwenato kein kwban baj melele wt unin an armej rein aikuj emmakt jn ijoko jikier ak kwnaaj bareinwt bromj kn wween ko reppen rej walok jn aer aikuj katak mour ilo juon aeln rejjab jel kake.

Jonan armej ro ilo Majel:• Population: emaron jonan in 70,000

• Ej ejaakin ruo chain in atoll kn jonan ne 29 atoll.

• Jonan utiejin ne ko jn lojet ej 7 wt ne.

Nan melele ko rellaplok jouj im lale web-site kein itulal:http://wapo.st/2pokgwQ

http://bit.ly/2pQKDxY

http://bit.ly/2parvfI

http://nyti.ms/2pUkeje

http://huff.to/1XlKsFa

Castle Bravo nuclear test on the Marshall Islands, March 1, 1954. © Kibbe Museum.

Flickr Creative Commons.


Pastor Stanley SamsonAs told by Sue Leibold

I came from Enid, Oklahoma, in summer of 2002 to Dubuque. I was involved with my church which is called the Dubuque Paradise Assembly of God and I came here with a pastor to establish this church. I am a pastor since 2010.

My role in the community is a pastor of 80 plus members and my role in the community is I would say is a pastor/social worker because I help out a lot.

To understand our culture, I start with basic background and culture because the Mar-shallese are very shy and don’t want to make any mistakes and our body language is the biggest thing in our communication. Sometimes our body language can offend somebody who do not know us.

An example of this, one time in school I went to help out this family because this kid was the best student she (teacher) ever had and…be-cause he listens, he’s quiet you know… You have a shy kid he just sit there and not do anything. One time it was up to him, it was a small group. She was talking to him and he was facing down and she mad and offended that he was not paying attention and it was disrespectful to her (teacher). So, he turned around from the best kid to a disrespectful kid and I got involved with that. I kind of asked her what happened and she told me about it and I said, well it doesn’t mean he was disrespecting you. His body language was showing that he was communicating with you- when he is not eye to eye to you he is bow-ing down to the one that is directing him and sometimes it’s like you don’t pay attention and you don’t care. He was showing you, you know, his surrender yet it demonstrated he as all knelt down- he is listening to someone who know better, is directing him, teaching him, talking to him, so his body language was taking everything she was saying but not communicating eye to eye. I get that, I know that.

(Pastor Stan’s visit to the schools to explain Marshallese culture) It changes the whole ball game and not just the teacher but the whole school, and especially the principal. It was something they wanted me to go out there to talk to the teachers, the current teachers and the future teachers that will graduate from school. It’s not a problem now but it is a cultural – how do we say it- uh…connecting.

The biggest need in our community is edu-cating- education- more about when I say education- right now our millennial and our kids, now they’re in the right place. They’re in better education. But when it comes to the older community, older generations most important thing is communication because you know I’m not going to be there all the time, she is not going to be there. It is hard for her to get help for sickness if she don’t understand the rules or the language. So, I think the biggest thing is education of English and an understanding of the rules and the policies. Other than that, health problems is the biggest thing.

After World War II when they did the bombing and our agriculture was gone. We don’t grow anything like we used to because our island is illed with radiation, after the testing of the bombs. It is still that way, nothing grows there. I mean, just coconut and bananas but not a good diet. I mean we used to have a lot of fruits and vegetable. The whole island is contaminated with radiation and the biggest disease is chronic disease- cancer, diabetes, a poor diet.

I believe that these days they depend on more of their children and grandchildren to translate now- they take them to their health care centers for translating and some teach them to speak English. They (the children) are more open and have more like- easier to inluence with Ameri-can culture.

One important thing I want to let you know- Marshallese community- people are very close, really close, especially here in the U.S.- the extended family is considered close family. We share, we share together. This is one thing I don’t want to lose is that- rely on each other.

Our events are very important, our commu-nity events. First birthdays are very big for that child. Family get together, community get together, people from out of state come here, even the Marshallese Island will come. I had my granddaughter’s birthday in Steeple Square and it was big. I invited a lot of people, a lot of people from the community too, Sister Helen. In our birthday celebrations have culture dances, we sing, the family that have birthday events gives away stuff to show appreciation for them such as clothing, blankets and other stuff to show our appreciation. Christmas, Palm Sun-day, good Friday, Easter, big gatherings. May


Day – Marshallese Constitution Day- performed the last weekend in May. First weekend in May in Marshall Islands. Celebrate summer activities, invite community leaders.

Marshallese are very, very good people. They want to be recognized as part of the community and they are shy people- but very loving people

too and religion is very big to Marshallese peo-ple- always been this way – part of our custom.

Our islands are sinking on high tide with wind- covering places not covered ive years ago. Our island is our core. I would not want to see our island lost.

Bwebwenato eo an Rikaki Samson’sKomman ibben Sue Leibold.Iar itok jen Enid Oklohoma ilo Summer in 2002 nan Dubuque in.Na ij juon iaan ro im rar boktok kabun eo naetan Dubuque Paradise Assembly of God iar itok ibben rikaki eo nan am kajutak kabun eo. Iar jino rikaki jen ioo ne 2010.

Jerbal eo ao ilo jukjuk in bed in ej Rikaki nan elon lok jen 80 ro iuuan kabuin im eddo eo juon ao nan jukjuk in bed in imaron ban a ij Rikaki/ak ij Social worker kinke elap ao jiban armij.

Nan ad melele kin manit in am , ij ijino kin jidikin kadkadin im manit kinke rimaol elap wot an ejelok aer ennan im rejjab konan komman bwod im wewen am kejerbal enbwinim nan kenono ej wewen eo elap ilo am kejerbal ilo am kenono. Jet ien kejerbal makitkit in enbwinin emaron keinebata bar jet ro im rejjab lukkun jela ki kim (Rimajol) . Nan wan jonak kin wewen in, juon ien ilo jikin jukul iar etal nan jiban juon bamile kinke ajri eo nejeir ej, juon iaan rijukul ro im elap an emman ibben (rikaki ) eo kinke ej ronjake, ejjab keroro, kojela..ewor juon rijukul ej jijet im jab keroro im jab komman jabedwot. Juon ien ej ien nan, ilo juon dolul jidkdik. Ri-kaki eo ej kajjeon konnan lok nan ladrik eo ak ej jillok im relallok im rikaki ellu im ba naneke ejjab ronjake im ejelok an kautej e( rikaki) eo , kio eoktak jen ke e ear juon rijukul eo emman nan juon eo im ejelok an kautej rikaki ro, iar bok jidik konao im ij kajitok ibben rikaki ta eo ebwod, im rikaki ear bat ok nan na ke ladrik eo ejjab ronjake eo (rikaki) im iar jiron lok rikaki ke ejjab melele in ke ladrik eo ejjab kautej im ronjake rikaki ak ej kejerbal ilo juon bar wewen kenono ilo enbwinin im ej kwalok ke ej kenono nan rikaki eo, ne ejjan rewaj nan kwe im ej badi-kdik lal lok im jet ien koj lomnak ejjab ronjake iok ejjab melelein ke ejelok an kea. Ej kwalok nan kwe , kwojela ej kwalok ilo an jillok lal lok. Ej ronjake ro im rejela kin e im kwalok nane im katakin e im konnan nane. ilo an kenono kin enbwinin , ebok jikin men otemjej ko rikaki eo ej kenono kaki im jab kononono nan dron ilo ar re nan dron kin mejed. Kio ij melele im ijel kio.

(Rikaki Stan’s ear lolok School eo im kemelele ik er kin Maint in Majol) Kio ewor oktak ilo wewen ad melele kin manit ko jen joko jet ilikin ejjab nan rikaki ro wot ak nan aolepen school eo, im elap tata principle eo. Ewor jet ien rekonan bwe in ilok im kenono nan rikaki ro kajojo., ro kio im barainwot ro tokelik im rejan diwojlok, ejjab juon jorren kio ak ej kin wot manit- wei wewen ad ba – uh.. kobaik dron.

Men eo elap an aikujiilo jukjuk in bed ej jelalokjen-jelalokjen- kin wot jelalokjen ilo kenono kake, kio ej juon in tere im ajri ro, rej bed ilo jikin eo ejimwe im jejet nan er, rej bed ilo jikin jelalokjen ko remman, ak ne ej itok nan jukjuk in bed ko reritto, ro reritto men eo eourok kenono kinke kojela na iban bed iejn aolep ien, ak lien eban bed ijen, ebin nan e nan an bok jiban nan ro rej naninmij ne ejjab maron melele kin jonak ko im kajin eo, kio ij tomak ke men eo elap nan kajin belle ej jelalokjen im melele kin kakien ko im men ko emoj kelajaraki, ijelokin men kein Ejmour ej men eo elap tata. Ij tomak ke rainin elap wot ad kejatdikdik kin ajri ro nejid im ro jibwid nan aer ukok nan kij kio, rej bok er nan jikin takto ko nan aer ukok nan e rim jet rej katakin en kajin balle. Er ( ajri ro) elap lok aer bellok im bidodo lok aer katak kin manit in belle.

Juon emn ko elap aer aorok im ikonan bwe kon jela- Jukjuk in bed in an rimajol elap aer ebake dron, elaptata ilo am bed ilo AMEDKA in, Armij jet numin kiejij likit er lukkun in Nukim, kemij jake jebol eo im jake ibben dron, juon men ijjab konan kakure ilo kim ej lale dron im jban dron.

Makitkit ko am elp aer aorok, Makitkit ko an jukjuk in bed eo am einwot Juon an ajri ioo kemem ej juon men eo im elap nan ajri eo, bamile ko rej koba ibben dron Jukjuk in bed eo rej koba ibben dron, Armij ro jen joko ilikin rej koba tok, kar kemem eo an ledrik eo jibu ear komman ilo Steeple Square im ear lukkun in


lap, iar kir tok elon armij ro elon ro jen jukjuk in bed in im borainwot Sister Helen. Ilo ien kemem kein am elon Ikkure in majol ko rej komman , kemij al im bamile ko rej komman kemen rej elelok eon mwik ko nan am kwalok am monono ilo aer koba tok im mottam ilo ien in elap, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Koba kileplep, May Day ( Jeme E Ran) ej komman ilo week ne elik tata ilo allon in May. Jinon May makitkit ko rej bok jikier im kimij kir tok ro ilo jukjuk in bed in ilo Dubuqe elap tata rutej ro.

Armij in Majol ej jet ro im elap im lap aer em-man- Rej konan bwe armij rein ilo Jukjuk in bed in ren kile er ewnwot jet mottaer. Jet armij ro ejelok aer ennan ak ealp Iakwe ibberim rej armij in kabun im ej juon iaan wewen ko elap ibben rimajol im eban jako bwe ej mottan manit eo.

Lal eo am ej rumlok lal lok wot kin utej in no im oktak in mejatoto, ijoko im rar jab jako lalem ioo remotlok emoj aer jako. Ailon ko am ej am lemodren im ijjab konan lo an jako.

Methelindia Joe As told by Donalda KehoeWhen my mother and father came from the Marshall Islands, they went directly to Phoenix, Arizona, and that’s where I was born on Octo-ber 9, 1996. In November that year we moved to Dubuque, IA, where we lived with my grandpar-ents near the University of Dubuque.

My two brothers were born in Dubuque. After the three of us were born, my parents adopted a little sister and a little brother from the Marshall Islands.

I went to preschool at Westminster Presbyterian Church. I was scared; I didn’t know English at all. My teachers were good to me and helped me a lot and would write stuff on paper for me to learn. I had women teachers in preschool.

Because we didn’t have a car at irst, transporta-tion was hard. We would call my dad’s brother who lived in Dubuque (he came from the Marshall Islands when my grandfather did). He would gives us a ride.

By the time I was in Eisenhower Elementary School, we owned a car, but I took the school bus to school. After 5th grade at Eisenhower, I attended Roosevelt Middle School on Radford Road for 6th and 7th grade and Jefferson School for 8th grade.

I attended high school at Hempstead on Pennsylvania Avenue. From there I graduated in 2015. I was not into football and parties in high school, but I did attend our Homecoming. That was really different! A big crowd gathered in the middle of the gym and everyone danced. I danced a bit, with my date Obet Jally.

My family moved out of my grandparents’ home when I was in middle school and into a house on Jackson Street where we are living now.

My mother (Jimiko) works at St. Clare House as a Care Giver; she told me about a job opening at Mt. St. Francis Center. I put in my application and Theresa Peppmeier interviewed me, and I got the job and started working there when I was still in high school. I like it here. It is really nice, a different environment. First I worked in the dining room, with some food preparation and cleaning tables. For three weeks now, I have been a cook. My favorite thing to make is soup. I am wearing bracelets on my wrist. One came from here and says: “Love, Hope, and Faith.” My cousin gave me the other one. It says: “Kindness – pass it on in all you do and say. Your kindness makes a difference in the world each day.”

I go shopping with my cousin Vicky Jamore (a Care Giver at Clare House). We usually go to the mall or to Kohl’s. We go to the movies sometimes, and then to a Chinese Restaurant afterward. My favorite food is rice with some type of meat or chicken.

I don’t know my neighbors very well on Jackson Street. We get together with Marshallese People, mostly at church, the Full Gospel Church by Prescott School.

I just got back from an annual March event in Springdale, Arkansas. Our Full Gospel Church joined people from different states for four days of worship, singing, and dancing. The dancing consisted of four lines of everybody doing the same motion. During our “kwelok,” (Mar-shallese word for getting together, a gathering) we all had a meal together in the morning and evening, and stayed at the Holiday Inn. We made a big community of Marshallese people. We went by bus – it took 3-4 buses to hold all of us from here.


Springdale, Arkansas is the 4th largest city in Arkansas, located in northwest Arkansas, deep in the Ozark Mountains. According to the 2000 census statistics, there is a signiicant community of about 4000 Marshall Islanders and the city is home to a Consulate of Marshall Islands.

-- From the Internet.

When my dad would talk about life in the is-lands, he said it was pretty hard, and sometimes scary. My mother told me about the bombings and what life was like back then.

The Marshall Islands are located in the western Paciic just north of the equator. The U.S. conducted nuclear testing on the isle of Bikini

for many years which created very hazardous re-sults, as no precautions were taken to suficiently protect the nearby residents; radiation fallout left many of the people with serious health con-ditions. A covenant signed with the U.S. in 1986 granted the Marshallese the right to come to the U.S. and live and work here without the need of a “green card.”

-- from Franciscan Connections, Summer, 2016

The Marshallese people gather to celebrate a irst birthday. Parents invite others from in and out of the state and order foods from the islands for the occasion. A 50th birthday and weddings are also big events. People wear their native costumes at those times.

Ke jino im jemarar itok jen Majol, rar kajju nan Phoenix Arizona, im ijo iar lotak ie ilo Oktoba 9, 1196. Ilo Nobomba in ioo ne kim ar emakit tok nan Dubuque, Iowa, ijo kim ar jokwe ibben bubu im jimma ilo turin University of Dubuque.

Ladrik ro ruo jatu rar lotak ilo Dubuque. Elkin amjel kar lotak jino im jema rar kokajiriri juon jatu ledrik im juon ladrik jen Majol.

Iar jino ao jukul in kaminene ilo Westminister Presbterian Chhurch. I jar mijak; ijjab lukkun jela kajin balle . Rikaki eo ao ear lukkun in emman nan im elap an kar jiban eo katak jeje elon kain ilo pepa ko nan ao maron katak. Kora men eo ao kar rikaki ilo preschool.

Kinke ear ejelok waam wa kar mokta, iaal in itotak ear kar ben nan kim. Kimij kir nan likao eo jatin baba im ear itok ibben bubu im jimman ilo tere eo rar jino itok im ej letok iaal nan kim.

Ilo tere eo im ij jikul ilo Eisenhower School, ewor juon wam wa, ak ij bok bus ko waan school nan school. Elkin klass 5 ilo Eisenhower , iar etal im jukul ilo Rosevelt Middle School ilo Radford Road Klass 6 im 7 im klass 8 ilo Jefferson Middle School.I ar Jukul ilo Hempstead High School ilo Penn-sulvana Avenue.. Iar kaduwojlok ilo 2015. Iar jab itok limo ilo football im party ilo kar High School, botap iar bed ilo Homecoming eo an School, ej juon oktak kileplep. Jarlepju in armij rej koba lo kilo ioap in jikin ikkure en im aolep rej tuwij. Iar kaine tiwij jidik ibben armij eo motta Obet Jally.

Jino im jema im ajro ro jetu kim are diwojlok jen ibben bubu im jimma ke ij bed ilo middle schoolim bed ilo juon e milo Jackson Street ij im kemij jokwe ie kio.

Jino (Jimiko) ej jerbal ilo St. Clare House einwot juon rilale ritto ro; jino ear jiron toke o kin Mt. St. Frances Center. Iar kanne ao apilication nan jerbal ie im Theresa Peppmeier iar etale eo im imaron bok jerbal eo ijen ke ij bed wot ilo High School. Elap an emman jikin jerbal en ibba im elap an emman belakin. Jinoin iar jino ilo jikin komman mona en keboji mona koi m karreo table ko iumin jilu week. Kio na ij juon iaan rikomat ro im mona eo eitok lima in kommate ej juup.

Ij konake bankel ilo peio, juon iar bok ijin im ej ba; Iakwe , kojatdikdik im tomak” Lieo riliku ear bar letok juon im ej ba . Jouj jake waj nan aolep men eo koj kommane im ba. Jouj eo am ej komman oktak ilo lal aolep ran.

Ikijon etal im wia ibben eldrik eo nuku Vicky Ja-modre ( rilale ritto ilo Clare House) kemro kijon etal im wia ilo mall en a kilo Kohl’s. Kemro ej etal im alwoj pija jet ien im borainwot mona ilo mon mona in China ko. Mona eo enno ibba ej rice ibben kannek im bao.

Ij jab lukkun jela kajjen armij ro rej jokwe turin mweo ij jokwe ie ilo Jackson Street. Kimeij koba ibben dron einwot armij in Majol, eitan aolep ien ilo imon jar eo, Fullgospel iturin Prescott School.

Bwebwenato an Methelindia Joe’s Komman ibben Donalda Kehoe


Ij kab roltok jen juon jemdron ilo allon Maac eo ilo Springdale, Arkansa. Kbun ko an Fullgospel rar koba ibben dron jen elon State ko kajojo ilo Midwest in tarin emen raan aetokan, kemij jar, al im ikkure in majol ko am makekake. Biit ko kemij kommani rej tarin emen line im aolep rej kommane kilten ko are makemake. Ilo ien kwelok ak jemdron kemij mona ibben dron jibbon, raelep im jota im kim ej jokwe ilo Hotel ko. Kim ej juon iaan droulu ko elap iuaer , kemij etal ilo bus killep tarin 3 lok nan emen bus nan an bok kimwoj jen Dubuque in.

Sprigdale Arkansas ej kein kemen jikin ko rellap ilo Arkansas im ej bed ilo Tue n turok in Arkansas im ej bed tulal in Tol Ozark, ekkar nan bonbon eo ilo 2000 ioo eo. Ewor tain in 4000 rimajol ilo jikin in im ej ijo im Opij eo an Majol ej bed ie.

JEN INTERNET.Ne jem a ej konnan kin an bin mour ilo Majol, ej kwalok ke elukin bed im jet ien ealp an

kamijak. Jino ej bwebwenato kin baam im ear komman ilo tere ko.

Majol ej bed turilik in Paciic im lalin wot equator. Kei neo an amedka ar kommane komelmel in baam eo ilo ailon in Bikini elon ioo ko remotlok, im kio ekoman bwe en lon menin kauwotata koi im ejjab emman na bed ie, nan ailon ko iturin kar jikin eo im baam e oar wot-lok ie, Armij rein elon kain naninmij koe rebed ieeaer einwot paijin in baam eo im naninmij ko jet jen paijin. Bujen eo ear jain ibben U.S. ilo 1986 komman bwe armij in majol ren maron delon ilo U.S. im jokwe Jerbal ilo ejelok kajitok kin” Green Card”

Jen Franciscan Connection , 2016

Manit in Majol ne juon Ajri ej juon an iio ej juon elap nan er kajojo, rej kir tok ro nukuer jen joko jet ilikin, mona ko buktok jen Majol nan ien in elap ne er. 50 ioo birthday im ien mare ej borainwot nan kom ekkar nan manit eo am. Ekka an armij konak nuknuk ko jen Majol.

On the morning of March 1, 1954, I woke up to a red sky. I did not know why it was red; I was only seven years old. I was on Utirik, one of the Marshall Islands in the Ratak, or “sunrise,” chain of islands, but that is just a word to use. That does not mean the skies always look like sunrise. But this sky did. All around me, every-one was just looking up, wondering too. I was asking them what was going on. Nobody knew.

That afternoon a seaplane came from the US military base in Kwajalein, on the “sunset,” or Ralik, side of the Islands, to where we were on Utirik. It was carrying soldiers, and the soldiers were there to examine us. I later learned that they were checking to see if we were affected by radiation. Later on, there were some people whose skin was burning, so something very bad must have happened when the sky turned red. My father was one of those who were examined. (They check me every year; they say I’m OK.)

After two days, I remember that a big ship came. It was so big that it could not come to the la-goon side of Utirik; it had to come to the ocean side. I remember how excited my brother and his friends were! I think they are the ones who told me about the ship irst. “There’s a big ship at the ocean!” they said. They ran to where all the peo-ple were gathered to see it and said, “The Rus-sians are here!” But the men who came off that ship started talking to some of the adults, and I

could hear that they were speaking in English, so I knew it was the US soldiers from Kwajalein. They told the adults who knew English that we were all to leave the island. They said it was not safe on Utirik because of the bomb.

The bomb from Bikini Island—the biggest one ever—is what lit the sky that morning when I was just waking up. It left radiation that made so many people sick. Why would they do that? Did they not think that there were people living there? Asleep in their beds? Eating breakfast? Did they not think of those people? My father, my brother, my sister, my classmate, and someday my student; The rocks, the birds, the water, the air. Did they not think of all that was underneath?

They were there to take us away, to Kwaja-lein. They had to examine us. We had to leave everything. We could take a change of clothes for only one day. We were confused, and I saw that some of the children were crying. I could tell that some of the adults did not like what the soldiers were doing. But we got our clothes and got onto the ship. The ship was so big that it had ladders, like you see in the movies, and the soldiers had to take us one by one up the ladders. They took every one of us, maybe 150 from Utirik, on that ship and up those ladders, and away from home without telling us why.

Mary Samson’s StoryAs told by Anna Kelley


We were quarantined in the soldiers’ camp when we got to Kwajalein, and stayed there for about a month. It was so small there; every family had just one room. I did not have much to do there. My home island is Majuro (we Marshallese go by our mothers’ islands) and my father was a pastor so we traveled from island to island when I was little. They are all pretty much the same, but it was still interesting to meet and play with different people at each one. I lived most of my life on Kwajalein, but when I lived here I would play Marshallese games like hide ‘n’ seek, or we’d make a ball out of a coconut. In the soldiers’ camp, we tried to play games, but it was not like our home. There were other children there from another poisoned island, but we couldn’t play with them because the soldiers put us on two different sides of a road. When people wanted to visit us at the camp they couldn’t come speak to us or bring us food or clothes or anything we needed. We were left alone and kept away from everything we had.

The soldiers were not mean. Every morning they brought us breakfast, and after breakfast they took us to the lagoon side of the island so that they could wash the poison from us with shampoo. I remember that we had to wear men’s

underwear over our bodies to get washed! When I think of this now; I would not have worn them. I would have said “no!” They’d wash our clothes and put them all together in a pile. Then we would have to look through the pile to ind our own clothes, every day. Like I said, these soldiers were not mean to us. But they were soldiers, and they didn’t even know what clothes were ours, and this was not our home.

When I think of our clothes in a pile, the ladders on the ship, the soldiers, and the red morning sky, sometimes I get mad. I also remember Lekej, a student of mine when I taught social studies and the Bible on the Islands. He went to the US a lot to be examined because he was real-ly poisonous, and he died too. When my brother died at 69, he had lots of pain, like Lekej’s pain. My sister gets so hot that sometimes she cannot sleep for days and days because she had her thyroid removed from cancer. I remember these people, and the others who died, and those of us who were underneath the red skies, and taken onto the ship, and put in the soldiers’ camp. I get mad because my people are a peaceful people But I know that you cannot ight to make peace. It does not work.

Ilo jibbon in March 1, 1954, Iar ruj tok im reilon lok im lo juon koro biroro. Ijjab lukkun jla eita ke eboror; ej jilmjuon ao ioo ilo teere ne. Ij bed ilo Utrok, juon ian ene ko ilo ratak ilo Majol, Ratak ak tak in al ilo menen eo juon ilo majol, ak naan eo rekijon kejerbale. Ejjab melelein koro ko rekein lok wot takin al, ak koro eo ej einwot. Ibelaku aolep rej reilonlok im bwilon. Iar kajito ta eo im ejelok en ejela ta eo.

Elkin raerlepen eo juon balun in den jen jikin tarinae ilo Kwajalien ilo tulok in al ak relik ilo turilik in ailon in utrok ije ij bed ie. Ej boktok elon ritarinae ro im rej itok nan aer etale kim. Tok elik ij kab jela ke rej lale ne paijin in baam eo ejelet kim, tok elik, jet iaan armij ro ejeroen ak bwil kilier, Juon in wewen ejjab emman im ekomman bed koro ko ren oktak nan biroro. Jema ej juon iaan ro rar etale e. ( Rare tale eo aolep ioo otemjej; im rej ba ejelok jorren nan na.)

Elkin ruo ran jen ien eo ij kemejmej juon mon wa killep ear itok, juon tima eo elap an lap im ear jab maron mwear ak ad emman wot itulik in ailon eo.Ij kememej lok ewi kar jonan an kar monono eo an ladrik eo jeiu im ladrik ro mottan, IJ kememej er eo ran jiron eo kin tima

eo, juon e time itulik in ene in . Rar ettor lok nan ijo ritto ro rej koba ie nan aer lale, im rej ba emoj an Ri-Russia jikrok tok, ak emman ro rar tok tok jen wa eo rej konnan ibben jet iaan ritto im ij ron aer kajin balle. Kio ijela ke ritarinae in amedka ro jen Kwajalien. Rej ba nan ritto ro im rejela kajin balle k aolep rej aikuj emakit jen ene eo. Rej ba ejjb emman nan bed ie kin wot baam eo.

Baam eo jen ailon in Bikini, ej juon iaan baam ko rellap im kajur im ta eo im ear komman bwe en biroro mejatoto jibbon in ran eo ilo tere eo ij ruj tok. Ekkoman bwe armij ren naninmij in paijin. Eita ke rar komman wewein in? Re ke lomnak ke ewor armij jokwe ijoko? Kiki ilo tere eo im mona in jibbon? Rej ke lomnak kin armij ro? Jema, ladrik ro jeiu im jatu ledrik ro im rijukul ro motta, im juon ien enaj rikjukul ro ao; Deka ko, Bao ko Den im mejatoto. Rej ke lomnak kin ta ko iumin er.

Rar itok nan ijo nan aer bok kim nan Kwajalien. Rare tale kim. Kim ej aikuj likit men ko mweim im bok jet wot nuknuk nan ekba , kin lukkun in tarbok im ij loe jet iaan ajri jidik ro rej jan. Ij kile lok ke jet iaan ritto ro rejjab erra kin ta

Bwebwenato an Mary Samson’sKomman ibben Anna Kelly


eo ritarine ro rej kommane nan kim. Ak kim ar buk nuknuk ko am im etal nan tima eo. Tima eo elap an kilep im kim ej aikuj jikin iwwe lon lok einwot ad loe ilo pija ko, im ritarinae ro rej aikuj bok juon lok juonilo jikin iwwe eo. Rar bok kim woj aolep emaon 150 armij jen ailon in Utrok. Ilo wa im ilo jikin iwwen eo im jen kabijuknen eo am im jab jiron kim ta un eo.

We kakilen kim ilo jikin ero an ritarinae ilo Kwajalien, kim ar bed ijo iuman lok juon allon. Juon jikin jidikdik, aolep bamile ko rej bed wot ilo juon room. Ejelok men en elap imaron kommane ijo. Ailon eo ao ej Majuro ( Ej ad ka-bikujinen jen ro jined) im jema ej juon rikakiin kabun im emakijkij am itotak ikotak ailon nan ailonjo tere eo ke ij dik. Eitan aoleper einwot juon, ak ej juon men eo im emman im kaitoktok limo ilo ar ioon elon kain armij. Eitan tarlep in mour e ao iar jokwe ilo Kwajalien, ak ke iar bed ijen imaron ikkure, iikure in Majol einwo noje im bukote, ak komman ball jen kimej in ni. Ijo jikin ritarinae, kemij bar ikkure elon kain ikkure ko, ak ejjab einwot joko jikim. Elon bar jet ajri ro ijo rej itok jen ailon ko jet im rebar pijin, botap kim ejjab maron ikkure ipper bwe ritainae ro rar likit kim ilo ruo mwenan e neo. Ne armij konan lotok kim ilo ijo jikin ritarinae rejjab maron itok im kenono ibbam ak boktok kijim im nukuk ak jabedwot kain aikiuj dikidkik. Rej kejeneloklok kim im bobrare jabedwot men kim aikuji.

Ritarinae ro rejjab nana. Aolep jibbon rej boktok kijem mona in jibbon im elikin mona in jibbon rej bok kim nan lojet ilo turajet in ene eo nan aer karreo kim jen paijin in baam eo kin Jembo. Ij kememej lok ke kim ej aikuj konat jermota ko an emman nan pinej enbwinnim nan am karreo. Ne ij lomnak k ilo tere in; na ijjab aikuj kar konaki, Iaikuj kar JAAB!. Rej kli nuk-nuk am im likiti ilo juon wot pile im koj aikuj etale im bukot nuknuk ko am ibwijilin nuknuk ko woj, aolep ran. Einwot ao ba, ritarinae men rein im rejjab nana, rejjab jela ewi wot nuknuk ko am inwilijin nuknuk ko woj, ak ejjab ijo jikum in.

Ne ij lomnake tok nuknuk ko am ilo pile in nuk-nuk eo, jikin iwwe eo ilo tima eo, Ritarinae ro, koro biroro eo ilo jibbon in ran eo, jet ien ij illu. Ij kememej LEKEJ Anjain, juon iaan rijukul ro ao ke iar katakin Social Studies im kilaj in Bible ilo enen eo. Ear itok nn Amedka nan etale e kin elon naninmij in paijin ko ibben, ear mij, Leo jeiu ear mij ke ej 69 an iio, elon metak ko ippen, ej einwot Lekej kin metak ko ippen. Kora eo jeiu ej bwil im jet ien ejab maron kiki elon bon im elon ran kin wot aer kar komakit Thyriod jen cancer eo an. Ij kemejmej armij rein, im ro jet im rebar mij, im ro woj imunin koro biroro eo, ilo are bok kin nan tima eo, im likit kim ilo ijo jikin ritarinae ro, ekomman menin ao illu kinke armij rein rej armij in ainemon. Ak ijela ke koban komman boktak nan bukot ainemon, ejjab wewen eo in.

Scene on Majuro, the capital and largest city of the Marshall Islands. © Stefan Lins. Flickr Creative Commons.


An Anonymous Marshallese StoryAs told by Marian Klostermann

I came here to the U.S. in November 2006. My sister was already here. I came here to bring my kids to go to school. I bring three kids and two stayed in the Marshall Islands. I was very sad to leave them behind. One was in high school and the other was six years old. I was sad to leave my Mom and Dad in the Marshall Islands. After three months, my husband came to the U.S., too.

My sister worked at Best Western in Dubuque and got me a job. I worked three-four months with cleaning and making beds. The work was very hard and with long hours of work. I did not understand much English. Sister Corrine and Sister Ruth taught me at the Lantern Center. They taught me how to speak but my English was poor.

I got a job at Holy Family Hall at the Franciscan Inirmary. I was learning to talk by talking with the sisters. My English was very poor. Now it is good. I really like working with the sisters. They were really nice to me. Good beneits and good pay. Some workers were very good to me. My supervisor was nice but she is not working here anymore. When I started to work, I don’t have training. I got training with the nurse aids who worked with me. I am not a CNA. I really like to be one but don’t know where I get that. I’m planning to but I don’t know how to do that.

I worked from 7-3 mornings. My husband work at night and gets home at 6:00. He takes me to work and gets the kids ready and takes them to school. Sometimes I drive to work.

The time the sisters all move to Clare House, I packed everything for sisters. Put in box every-thing they needed. Then we move and I unpack everything and put where they like it. It was fun, working together.

I have ive kids all together. My oldest son came here and went in 7th grade. All my children go to Eisenhower. They got friends right away. First time they did not speak English. But in two months their English was getting better. They all graduate from Senior High. I really want my children to inish their education, go to college and get a degree. My daughter Vicky works

at Clare House in the kitchen and sometimes nursing.

My oldest son is now 24. He lives with me. He was in the Marshall Islands for two years. There is no place for him. He is looking for a job. That’s why he came back. Mom, I am going to get a job. Mom, you always helped. He was really sick. He has an appointment at Crescent Health for a checkup. He has a driver’s license. Oh, where can he get training? One son is 23 years old. He has a baby girl. I have one grand-daughter. They come to my house everyday and I get to see them a lot.

I adopted one little girl, she is my guardian child. She is Marshallese. Right now, she is eight. She is going to school at Fulton. She always wakes up and gets ready for school. My husband takes her. He works at night cleaning and that is good for him. He likes the hours so someone is with the kids.

We Marshallese have a church. We always go to church on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. We get together and eat after church. People vol-unteer to bring food. Friends and family will get the food and bring it to the church. We always sing and dance when we are together.

We want to sing our Marshallese songs with the same accent. We have birthday parties and invite everyone. A child’s irst birthday is a big one. Before we start we pray and give the child to the pastor or the loved ones who do a blessing. Then we have a party.

It is different living in the United States. Lot different! You’re working and you are staying by yourself with your husband and your kids in one house. In the Marshall Islands we are all together, husbands, kids, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles in a big house. I like it being with just me and my husband and my kids. I do miss the roses. I miss the food. I call my Mom and ask her to mail me some food but she can’t. My Dad came from the Marshall Islands and bring food. He left last week. My mother and father will come in May to visit. Can’t wait for them to come and see all the kids


Bwebwenato in mour ilo MajolKomman ibben C. Jean Hayen

Iar itok nan America ilo kar Nobmba 2006 eo ak ledik eo jei/jat ear pd kadede ijin. Iar itok bwe in boktok ajri r nej bwe ren itn jikuul. Iar boktok jilu iaaer ak ruo rar pdwt ilo Majel. Iar lukkuun bromj ke iar aikuj likt wt er. Juon ear high school im eo juon kar jiljino wt an ii. Iar bar bromj ke iar emmakt tok jn jin im jema. Ālikin kar jilu alln, leo ippa ear bar itok nan America in.

Ledik eo jei/jat ear jerbal ilo juon otel etan Best Western in Dubuque im ear pukot tok juon a jerbal. Iar jerbal in karreo im limi peet ko iumwin jilu lok nan emn alln. Ear bwe an pen jerbal eo im bwe an kar aetok jonan awa in jerbal ko a. Iar jab lukkuun jel kajin plle. Sister Corrine im Sister Ruth rar katakin e kajin plle ilo Lantern Center. Rar katakin e ak ear jabwe wt a kar jel kajin in.

Ewr juon a jerbal ilo Holy Family Hall ilo Franciscan Inirmary, ak jikin lale rtto ro. Iar katak kajin plle ilo a kar knnaan ippn sister ro. Ear jabwe a jel kajin plle, ak kii emman. Elukkuun emman ippa jerbal ippn sister ro, re-

lukkuun kar emman nan na. Elap jerraamman iar bki im emman jonan oneea. Ewr jet rijerbal rar lukkuun emman nan na. Eo iar pd iumwin pein ilo jikin jerbal ear bar lukkuun emman nan na ak ejako kii an jerbal ijin. Ke iar jino jerbal iar jab bk kamminene kn jerbal in, nj ro iar jerbal ipper rar jipan im katakin e. Ijjab juon CNA. Iknaan bwe in juon iaaer ak ijjab jel ia eo imaron etal nane nan a maron juon uwaaer. Ij lmnak in kmmane ako ijjab jel kilen kmmane.

Ij jerbal jn 7 awa nan 3 in jibbon. Leen ippa ej jerbal in bon im rooltok in 6 awa. Ej bklok na nan jikin jerbal im ej kpooj ajri ran nejimro im bklok er nan jikin jikuul. Jet iien ij make kattr nan jikin jerbal.

Ilo iien eo sister ro rar emmaktlok nan Clare House iar kpooji aolepen men ko rar aikuji im booki nan er. Km ear etal im iar bar kadiwji men ko mweiier jn book ko im likti nan ijoko rar knaan bwe ren pd ie. Elukkuun kar emman im limo am kar jerbal ippn doon.

Ewr 5 nej ajri. Ladik eo ertto tata nej ear itok im kilaaj 7 ijin. Aolepen ajri r nej rar jikuul ilo Eisenhower. Ear mkaj an ln mttaer. Ilo kar jinoin rar jab jel kajin plle, ak likin kar ruo

alln, rar jino jel kajin plle. Er aolep rar kadi-wjlok jn high school. Ilukkuun knaan bwe en lukkuun dedelok an ajri r nej jikuul, etal nan college, im wr aer degree. Ledik en nej etan in Vicky ej jerbal ilo Clare House ilo kitchen im jet iien ej jerbal in nj.

Ladik en ertto tata nej 24 an ii kii. Ej jokwe ippa. Kar ruo ii in an pd ilo Majel. Ejjelok jikin an jokwe im enin unin ear bar rooltok. Ej ba bwe ej kappok an jerbal im bwe aolep iien ij jipane. Elukkuun naninmej im ej check up wt ilo Crescent Health. Ewr an license in kattr. Ia in emaron katak ie? Ladik eo juon nej 23 an ii im ewr juon nejin leddik. Ewr juon jib leddik. Rej itok nan mween aolep raan.

Iar kaajjiririik juon leddik, bar e RiMajel. 8 an ii kii im ej jikuul ilo Fulton. Aolep iien emkaj an ruj bwe en kappojak nan an etal in jikuul. Leen ippa ej bklok nan jikin jikuul. Leen ippa ej jerbal in karreo ilo bon im emman ippn knke emman awa kan knke en maron wr ej pd ippn ajri ran.

Km RiMajel ewr am imn jar. Aolep iien kmij etal im jar in Wnje, Taije, im Jabt. Kmij koba ippn doon im mn likin am jar. Armej ro rej volunteer nan ebbktok mn. Ro jeram im mttam rej bktok mn kan nan imn jar en am. Aolep iien am ippn doon kmij al im eb. Km knaan al kn al in Majel ko am ippn doon kn juon wt bro. Ilo iien birthday ko kmij kmmani, kmij krtok aolep. Iien keemem en ej iien eo elap en. Mokta jn am jinoe, kmij jar im lelok ajri eo nan Pastor en ak ro emj klt er im rej kajeraammane ajri en. Innem likin kmij bade.

Eoktak mour ilo America in, elap an oktak! Kwj jerbal, make lok kn juon em, kwe im eo ippam, kab ajri ro nejimiro. Ilo Majel kmij aolep jokwe ippn doon, jn en ippam nan ajri ran nej nejm im uncle im aunty ran ilo juon wt em kileplep. Ak emman ippa an na wt im ajri ran nejimro kab leen ippa. Btab ibar on kn mennin eddek ko ilo Majel im mn in Majel ko. Ij call im kajjitk ippn jin nan jilkintok kij ak ejjab maron. Jema ear itok jn Majel im ear ebbktok mn in Majel. Emj an rool wiik eo ej jemlok lok. Jin im jema jimr renaaj lotok e ilo Me, ikijoorore aer itok im leo ajri ran nej.


After my Catholic high school graduation on a Marshallese Island, I wanted to explore different areas of the world. I went to CMI (College of Marshallese Islands) where I studied business management. But, it was not satisfying for me. My friend had family in Enid, Oklahoma and asked me to go there with her. So, we left for Enid on May 27, 1998. I lived there from 1998 – 2015. On July 4, 1998, I met Robert William, Jr., father of our three boys. (Sad to say, Robert’s mother was badly affected by the nuclear testing done on the Islands.)

For about six months, I again went to a trade school for business management in Enid, but stopped school when I became pregnant with our irst son, Rock Donny William, born May 10, 2000. I remained a “stay-at-home” mom as two more boys were born— June 21, 2001, Rod Matthew William and May 10, 2007, Romeo Henry William. They are all US citizens as they were born in USA, but I am not a US citizen. I did ind Oklahoma people very friendly. From 2012 to 2015 after all three boys were in school, I went back to work as a dietary aide in a retirement home for elderly couples in Enid, Oklahoma.

When Robert’s brother, Reverend Stanley Samson, would come from Dubuque to church revivals in Oklahoma, he would urge us to come to Dubuque. Stanley is pastor at Paradise Church on Jackson Street, which has only Marshallese people wor-shipping there. Finally, in August 2015, Robert, I, and our three boys came to Dubuque and we continue to live with Stanley on Cleveland Avenue near Bryant School. We have illed out many housing applications, but have not been given the opportunity to sit down with authorities and get any assistance in getting the application processed nor in getting housing.

I learned about the nurse aide work opportunity at Mt. Carmel from Stan’s wife, Marsha Samson, sis-

ter of Jessica. Marsha brought me the application

for employment at Mt. Carmel. In January, 2017, I will take a CNA class here from Staff Educator Candy. I like being with the Sisters. I am grateful for the health insurance I have at Mt. Carmel and the Medicaid insurance for our three boys.

When asked about Dubuque, I must say that I experience people avoiding me, whether at the laundry, on the road, or in the park. We do play volleyball and basketball in the park, but some kids take pictures or videos to harass us saying bad things about us. We have very few friends in Dubuque. However, we do have gatherings of our Marshallese community here in Dubuque. For example, we celebrate Christmas day and night with dancing and singing. Every irst Sunday in December, we have Gospel Days like we had on the islands.

To be honest, I love my life now here in Dubuque. I see a lot of changes with my family (sons and husband)…good changes. Great changes actually!

1. They attend Church. They do not miss Mass. Back in Enid, OK, it was only me going to Church.

2. Ever since we moved here, my husband stopped drinking and started going to Church!

Anyways, I would say it’s different now that I’ve made some friends and I got to know that we got some good people here. Anyways, I can see my family living here for a long time. My sons love it here, they’ve met new friends. The only downside is we’ve been here for a year and four months and still living with our Pastor Stanley Samson. I am beyond grateful that he and his wife still are letting us stay with them. I thank God every day for him! Don’t get me wrong. We are still looking! Getting housing is a big challenge. I have God on my side. With God anything is possible. We just have to trust in God! Let go and let God!!

An Anonymous Marshallese StoryAs told by C. Jean Hayen


Ālikin aô kadiojlok jan Catholic high school ilo Majol, iar kônan jelâ kôn aeloñ ko jet ilo lal in. Iar jikul ilo CMI (College of Marshallese Islands) im bok kôn business management. Ijokwe, iar jab luk-

kun juu buruô kake. Juon ledrik môtta ear wor an paamle ilo, Oklahoma im ear kajitôk bwe in etal im jokwe ippen. Kôn menin, kômro ar emmakut ñan Enid ilo May 27, 1998. Iar jokwe ijôn jan 1998 – 2015. Ilo July 4, 1998, iar ione Robert William, Jr., eo ij jemen ladrik ro jilu nejimro. (Iburomôj in ba bwe, jinen Robert ekkar lap an jorran jan nuclear ko rar komman kômalmel kaki ilo ene ko.)

Enañin jiljino alloñ ko, iar bar jikul ilo juon trade school kôn business management ilo Enid, ak iar bojrak kôn aô bôroro ladrik eo kein kajuon nejim-

ro, Rock Donny William, lotak ilo May 10, 2000. Iar pad wôt im juon “stay-at-home” mom konk ebar lotak ruo bar ladrik— June 21, 2001, Rod Matthew William im May 10, 2007, Romeo Henry William. Irjel aolep rej US citizens konke rar lotak ilo USA, ijokwe ña ijjab juon US citizen. Iar lowe bwe armej in Oklahoma elap aer remman. Jan 2012 ñan 2015 âlikin an aolep ladrik ro pad ilo jikul, iar bar rool ñan jikul âinwôt juon dietary aide ilo juon imon ritto ro emoj aer retire ilo Enid, Oklahoma.

Ke leo jein Robert, Reverend Stanley Sam-

son, ekôn itok jan Dubuque ñan ien jar koi lo Oklahoma, ekôn ba bwe kômin emmakutlok ñan Dubuque. Stanley ej pastor ilo Paradise Church ion Jackson Street, me Ri Majol wôt rej jar ie. Aliktata, ilo August 2015, Robert, im ña, im ladrik ro jilu nejimro kôm are emmakut Dubuque im kômij jok-

we wôt ippen Stanley ilo Cleveland Avenue iturin Bryant School. Emoj am kanne pepa ko ñan aolep kain jikin jokwe, bôtap ejjañin wor en enañin jijet ippem ak jabrewôt kain jipañ ñan kommane pepa ñan jikin jokwe.

Kôm are roñ kake jerbal in nurse aide ilo Mt. Car-mel jan lio ippen Stan, Marsha Samson, sister eo an Jessica. Marsha ear bôktok juon ao application

ñan jerbal ilo Mt. Carmel. Ilo January, 2017, inaj boke juon CNA class ijin ippen Staff Educator Candy. Elap an emman pad ippen Sister ro. Elap ao kammoolol kôn injuren in takto e ao ippen Mt. Carmel im injuren in Medicaid eo an ladrik ra jilu nejimro.

Ñe rej kajitokin iiô kôn Dubuque, ij kwalok ke ij kile an armej jab kanooj kebake, meñe ilo jikin laundry, ilo ial ko, ak ilo park eo. Kômij ikkure volleyball im basketball ilo park en, ak ajri ro rej pijaik im videoik kôm ñan kabnono im kom-

man kojak im ba nae kôm. Ewor jejjno mottam ilo Dubuque. Ijokwe, ewor iien Ri Majol ro ilo Dubuque rej koba ippen droon. Ñan wan joñak, kômij Kurijman ran im boñ im eb im al ñan kememej Kurijmaj. Aolep Jabôt en jinointata ilo Tijemba, kômij kommane Gospel Day ko âinwôt aer kommane ilo Majol.

Ij kwalok mool, elap an emmanlok mour ilo Dubuque. Ij loe elap oktak ippen paamle e aô (ladrik ro neju im leo ippa)…oktak ko remman. Oktak ko rellap ilo! 1. Rej etal ñan mon jar. Rejjab jako jan ien Mass.

Ke kôm ar pad ilo Enid, EOKWE, kar ña wôt ikôn etal ñan mon jar.

2. Jan ke kôm ar emmakut tok ñan ijin, leo ippa ebojrak an kadek ak ej jino etal ñan imon jar!

Mekarta, inaaj ba bwe eoktak kiô bwe ewor jet môtta im emoj ao jelâ bwe ej wor wor armej rim-

man. Ij remanlok im lo bwe paamle in ao enaj too aer jokwe ijin. Ladrik ra neju elap aer yokwe ijin, ewor kiô mottaer. Men eo drein bwe emootlok dre juon iiô im emen alloñ ak kômij jokwe wôt ippen Pastor eo am Stanley Samson. Elaplok jan am ma-

roñ kammoolol e im lio ippen kôn aer kôtlok bwe kômin jokwe ippaer. Ij kammolole Anij ran otemjej kôn e! En jab bod am lomnak. Kômij kabbok wôt! Ejjab biroro ellolo jikin jokwe. Ak Anij ej rejtake iiô. Ippen Anij men otemjej renaj tobrak. Kôj jej aikuj liki Anij! Kôtlok im Lelok ñan Anij!

Bwebwenato in mour ilo MajolKomman Ibben C. Jean Hayen


ChristmasIn 1857, missionaries came from Boston to preach. This is why we celebrate Christmas on Sunday. The Sunday before we gather in church and sing one or two of our songs. At Christmas, we get to show what we were practicing at our First Assem-

bly of God church. We spend all day and night at church until all performances are completed.

In the Islands, in September or October, we start practicing 10 or so songs from then on. On Gospel Sunday, the irst Sunday of December, all groups gather in Church to show their songs and dances. In the Islands, they will celebrate for four days straight until all performances are done. They can stay all night. Christmas is very special with songs, music and dances. I do all three.

On Christmas, we have food like chicken, rice, salad, fruit, and cake. We bring food. Each group brings something different. We also wear uniforms and some of the Marshallese women sew the uniform dresses and shirts. Some families also do gift giving.

On Christmas, church is irst at noon, then food, then the program. Everybody performs and every-

body practices from October.

LaLa and I are in different churches. There are three different churches –Paradise Assembly of God, Full Gospel and New Hope. All do the same thing at Christmas. Each church has a different color uniform. My group is only my brother’s family. Every deacon or deaconess has his or her own group.

Health CareSometimes I don’t go to the doctor at Mercy because I don’t have health insurance. One time I went and they sent me back home because they wanted to have insurance. I had to pay for medica-

tion. The I-94 covered my pregnancy and since the baby is a citizen, he has insurance.

Some Marshallese need health care. A lot of them don’t have it. For my husband’s mother, the reason they came here is she was sick and they thought it was easier to get health care here. She goes to the free clinic at Cedar Rapids every month and gets medication. In the Marshall Islands, we don’t get treatment and medication. Some do but some don’t.

There are a lot of Marshallese that don’t speak En-

glish. A lot can understand but don’t speak it. We have been really blessed and appreciate what Irene (Ernest) has been doing to help the community. She worked with the health care community, and it’s been a lot more easier for some of us who did not have insurance to go to the doctor. It means a lot for us.

LanguageI came to the USA in 2008 and didn’t know how to speak English and read. I went to school in 2009 and took ESL classes. It was hard when the teacher asked a question and I didn’t know what the teacher was saying. I took my homework to my ESL teacher and he explained it all. When I was in 12th grade I was so excited that I would graduate. And here I am working at the Sisters of Charity. It’s a really nice place. I love the Sisters. And that’s when I started facing diversity.

A lot (of Marshallese) don’t speak English. A lot can understand but don’t speak it. For now, they hope Irene goes house to house and gives papers for health care. My mother-in-law doesn’t speak. She has a son and daughter-in-law who have been here a long time. Their children translate at the bank and hospital, or on the phone. She gives the phone and they translate for her. For me at the grocery store, sometimes I don’t know what’s on the can. For me, it’s easier to read than speak. Sometimes if I don’t know a word, I ask. I use the phone a lot. Sometimes I go to the library or use a phone to look up a word.

Decorations (samples shown on iphone pictures)Birthday decorations. Lots of weavings. Men and women make the weavings, and earrings. Also, showed photo of 1-year-old son Makaio.

FutureI’m starting on-line classes next month through NICC for ultimately medical assistant for CNA. It takes two months. (Note: Barlina passed the course.)

Barlina SamsonAs told by Mira Mosle


ChristmasIlo kar 1857 eo, missionarie ro rar itok jn aelnin Boston nan kwalok naan. Enin unin kmij cel-ebrate iien Christmas ilo raanin Jabt. Moktalok kmij koba ippn doon ilo imn jar en im al kn juon ak ruo iaan al kan am. Innem ilo iien Christ-mas kmij kwalok biit im al ko kmar katak maantak im kmij kmmani ilo imn jar eo an Assembly of God. Kmij pd ilo imn jar en nan iien eo emj aolepen biit im al ko kmar kppooji.

Ilo neeo, ilo allnin Jeptmba ak Oktoba, kmij jino kpooje 10 jima al. Innem ilo Jabt in Gospel en, Jabt en moktata ilo Tijemba, kajjojo kumi rej koba ippn doon ilo imn jar en nan aer kwalok al ak biit ko rar kpooji. Ilo neeo, 4 raanin aer kwalok al im biit ko rar kpooji nan iien eo ededelok aolep kumi. Iien Christmas ejejuwaan im ej juon iien nan kwalok kjanjan, al, im biit ko. Ij bk kuna ilo aolepen men kein jilu.

Ilo iien Christmas ewr bao, rice, salad, fruit, im cake. Kmij bkitok mn ko. Kajjojo kumi ej kpooj tok men ko kunaan. Kmij bareinwt uniform im jet iaan kr in Majel ro rej kiiji uniform kein. Bareinwt jet baamle rej kmman gift

Ilo iien Christmas, iien jar ej jino in relep innem kmij mn, im kii ej kab iien kwalok al im biit ko aolep rar kpooji. Aolep rej bk kunaaer im rej kmmlmel jn Oktoba. Eoktak kabun k amro Lala jn doon. Ewr jilu baat in Assembly of God me reoktak jn doon, juon ej Paradise As-

sembly of God, Full Gospel, im New Hope. Ilo iien Christmas, kabun kein rej jimr kmmani men ko emj kllaajraki me kmij kmmani ilo iien Christmas. Juon kabun eoktak en an color in uni-form. Ilo kumi en ij pd ie aoleeper ej baamle en an ladik en jei/jat. Kajjojo deacon im deaconess ewr make an kumi.

Jipan Ikijjeen TaktJet iien ij etal nan Mercy knke ejjelok a health insurance. Juon iien iar etal im rar bar karool na knke ej aikuj wr a insurance innem iar aikuj kll onn uno ko lim. I-94 eo ear bk eddoi ke ear lap lojee im knke ajri eo nej ej citizen ear wr an insurance. Ewr jet RiMajel rej aikuj aer insurance, eln iaaer ejjelok aer. Kr en jin-

en leen ippa ear itok nan ijin knke ear naninmej im rar lmnak epidodolok nan aer ello aer

insurance ijin. Ej etal aolep alln nan jikin takt en, Cedar Rapids im ebbk limen uno. Ilo Majel, ejjab aolep remaron ebbk limeer uno im etal nan jikin takt. Eln RiMajel rejjab maron kajin plle, eln remaron melele ak rejjab maron knnaan ilo kajin plle. Elap am jeraamman im kammoolol kn an Irene (Ernest) jipan km. Ej jerbal im jipan ikijjeen takt, im epidodolok nan jet iaam me ejjelok am insurance nan am maron takt. Elap am kammoolol kn men in.

KajinIar itok nan America in ilo 2008 eo im iar jab jel riit im kajin plle. Iar jikuul ilo 2009 eo im iar bk kn kilaaj in kajin plle. Ear pen ne rkaki eo ej kajjitk im ijjab melele kajjitk ko an. Iar bklok homework eo a nan rkaki in ESL eo a im ear kmeleleik aolep men. Ke iar kilaaj 12 iar lukkuun mnn ke iar maron kadiwjlok. Im kii ij jerbal ilo Sisters of Charity. Elap an emman jikin in, elap a yokwe sister ro im enin ej iien eo iar loe eln oktak ko.

Eln RiMajel ro rejjab jel kajin plle. Eln remaron melele ak rejjab maron knnaan ilo kajin plle. Kii rej kjatdikdik bwe Irene enaaj etal nan mko imweer im bklok aer peba in health care. Lellap eo jinen leen ippa ejjab maron knnaan ilo kajin plle. Ewr juon nejin laddik im kr eo ippn ladik eo nejin eto aer pd ijin. Ajri ro nejieer rej jerbal in ukok ilo bank im hospital im rej bareinwt kjerbal telephone nan aer kmmane jerbal in. Ej lelok telephone eo im rej ukok nane. Ilo mn wia ko, jet iien ijjab jel ta kan rej ba ilo can in mn kan. Epidodolok a riit jn a knnaan. Jet iien ne ijjab jel juon naan ij kajjitk. Elap a kjerbal telephone eo. Jet iien ij etal nan library en ak kjerbal telephone eo nan a jel melelein juon naan.

Kainknk (pija ko ilo iphone eo)Kein kainknk ko ilo iien birthday ko. Eln rej j. Emmaan im kr ro rej j im rej kmman dede. Āinwt an walok ilo pijain Makaio ke ej juon an ii.

Ilju im JeklajJino jn alln in lal inaaj jinoe bk kilaaj ko online ikijjeen NICC nan a lukkuun juon eo ej jipan nan CNA. Enaaj bk ruo alln. (Note: Emj an Barlina pass e course eo.)

Barlina SamsonKomman ibben Mira Mosle


In 1997, when I was 17 years old and a junior in high school, my parents decided to take early retirement and to come to the United States. They were eager that I receive a good education. My brother was already in the United States with his wife and two sons. We left Majuro Island, one of the many Marshall Islands. On the way, we stopped in Honolulu for a couple of days and then went on to Oklahoma where we stayed until 2003. During this time, my father became ill so we returned to the Marshall Islands where he died. I was sad to leave home, my friends, my extended family. I missed so many aspects of my life there: the food (more seafood and rice), the white sandy beaches where I could swim during the perpetual summer and go on frequent ishing trips with my Dad. We would catch tuna and marlin. We arrived in Dubuque in February so I felt the cold acutely; it would take a while for me to become accustomed to winter!

I inished high school in Oklahoma; I found the curriculum more extensive and had to study harder. After high school, I took a course at a technical school to prepare me to take care of disabled children; then I worked at a government facility for disabled children. I didn’t like Oklahoma; in 2004, we moved to Dubuque. Our cousins had moved here earlier. I like Dubuque and like to work here, people are friendly. The large Marshallese commu-

nity in Dubuque helps me to feel at home. We live close to one another and have our own churches— Assembly of God, New Hope church, and Full

Gospel church. I belong to the Assembly of God, Danella’s brother is the pastor. We celebrate Christ-mas just as you do. We also have a special feast. Constitution Day is celebrated on May 31. We sing, dance and share our handcrafts. A few years ago, we enjoyed bringing our community to share our music with the sisters here at Mount Carmel.

We keep in touch with our family in the Marshall Islands every day through Facebook, and about once a month using skype. We don’t have to bother with a telephone, the computer takes care of our communication needs. We speak Marshallese in our own local community.

A sad even occurred in our family recently, my brother Danny, 44 years old, died on February 8 after suffering from liver disease for about two years. Danella, another friend and I drove to Enid, Oklahoma for his funeral. He leaves his wife, three sons and two daughters Rick, Eric, Dan, Karba-

nia and Dancy. Dancy, the youngest daughter, is a junior in high school. The eldest son, Rick, is planning to be married. The grieving family will be able to celebrate a joyful occasion.Dubuque has been welcoming, people have helped us in many ways. Nevertheless, I wish I could have stayed in the Marshall Islands. It is home and I have more family there. Sometimes I am homesick.

Arcie LokeijakAs told by Mary Ellen Caldwell

Cemetery scene on the Marshall Islands. © Stefan Lins. Flickr Creative Commons.


Ilo 1997, ke ej 17 iiô dretta im junior high school, dritto ro jino im jema rar pepe in bok early retire-

ment eo aerro im emmakuttok ñan Amerka. Rar lukkun kijoror bwe in jikul ilo jikul ko remmanlok. Leo jeiu epad kadede ilo Amerka ippen lio ippen im ladrik ro ruo nejin. Kôm ar etal jan Majuro, juon ian ene ko ilo Majol. Ilo ial in tok, kôm ar pad jejjo ran ilo Honolulu im etal wot ñan Oklahoma ijo kôm pad im jokwe ie mae iiô eo 2003. Ilo kar tôrein, jema ear nañinmej im kôm ar bar rool ñan Majol ijo ear mej na ie. Iar lukkun buromoj ke iar emmakôt jan ijo jiku, ro motta, im paamle ko aô. Eloñ men kar mottan mour eo aô iar buromoj kaki: môña kijo (ekkan in lojet im rice), bokin in barijet ko remouj ijo ekka ao tutu ie im eoñad ippan jema. Kemij kojok tuna im marlin. Kôm ar tôkeaktok ilo Dubuque ilo Papode im iar lukkun bio; etto bwe in iminene kôn an môlo!

Iar kamoj ao high school ilo Oklahoma; ekkar jab biroro katak koi im ikôn aikuj bok elaplok ien ñan ao katak im kate iiô. Alikin high school, Iar bok jet kooj ilo technical school bwe in jerbal ippen ajri ro ewor aer utamwe; im tok alik iar jerbal ilo juon jikin an kien ñan ajri ro ewor aer utamwe. Ear jab emman ippa Oklahoma; ilo 2004 kôm ar emmakut ñan Dubuque. Cousin ro aô rar emmakut moktalok ñan ijin. Emman ippa Dubuque im emman ao jer-bal ie, rejouj armej ro. Elap an lôñ Ri Majol ro rej jokwe ilo Dubuque im ekomman bwe einwôt ñe ijo jiku. Kômij jokwe epake doon im jar ippen doon ilo Assembly of God, New Hope Church, im Full

Gospel Church. Ij jar ippen Assembly of God, leo jein Danella ej pastor eo. Kômij kurijmaj einwôt ami kommane. Kômij bar komman kwojkwoj ko. Raan in Constitution Day eo am ej komman ilo May 31. Kômij al, eb im komman amimôno ko. Jejjo iiô ko remootlok, kôm ar mônônô in lolok im ikkure im al ñan sister ro ilo Mount Carmel.

Kômij ennaan wôt ippen paamle ko am ilo Majol aolep ran ilo Facebook, im juon allen ilo juon alloñ kemij skype. Kômij jab aikuj kenaan ilo telephone, computer eo ej kommane menin ikijien aikuj ñan ennaan ippen paamle ko Majol. Kômij kajin Majol ippen Ri Majol ro jet ilo community in.

Juon men ekaburomojmoj ear walok ñan paamle in am, leo jeiu Danny 44 drettan, ear mej, ilo Pepode 8 alikin an kar eñtan kon nañin mej in aj iuwmin ruo iiô. Danella, juon motta kômro ar kattorlok ñan Enid, Oklahoma ña ilomej. Emmotlok jan wôt lio ippen, jilu nejin ladrik im ruo nejin ledrik, Rick, Eric, Dan, Karbania im Dancy. Dancy, the ledrik eo ediktatar, ej junior ilo high school. Ladrik eo nejin eritotata, Rick, ej bojak im mare. Paamle in me rej buromoj wot renaj maroñ lo lañlôñ ilo naj iien in ekamônônô.

Elap an Dubuque karuwenene, armej ro ie elap aer jipañ ilo kain wawen ko. Mekarta, illukun kar kônan pad wôt ilo Majol. Ej aô lawoden im ijo ro nuku im paamle rej pad ie. Jet ien ij oñ kake.

Arcie LokeijakKomman ibben Mary Ellen Caldwell

Donella SamsonAs told by Mary Jean Ferry

My name is Donella Samson. I am a single mother. I have an 18-year-old son named Riten Jose Samson. He is in Hempstead High School here in Dubuque. I came from a family of 7 and one step sister who is working here at Mt. Carmel too. I have four brothers, two sisters and one step sister. My dad has gone to God. My mom is still living and staying with my older brother, Stan, and his family.

When I left the Marshall Islands, I traveled with other students. First, we went to Maui and then, after two years, I left for Oklahoma. On the day

that I left Maui, I was frightened in the airports. It was hard to read the signs and I didn’t know where to go or what to do. I just kept asking people for help. A man, who was cleaning helped me ind my way. If it wasn’t for this man, I don’t know where I would be today.

While I was in Enid, Oklahoma, I was working in a meat packing company for ive years. Then, I came to Dubuque with my brother, his family and other church members to share the Word of God with Marshallese people. I am proud of my brother for his hard work in reaching out to many Marshallese


Donella SamsonKomman ibben Mary Jean Ferry

Eta in Donella Samson. Ij juon jinen eo imake iaô. Ewor juon neju ladrik 18 iiô drettan etan in Riten Jose Samson. Ej jikul ilo Hempstead High School ijin ilo Dubuque. Ij itok jan paamle eo 7 iuwan im juon kakajiriri kôra eo im ej jerbal ijin bareinwôt ilo Mt. Carmel. Ewor emen jeiu im jatu ladrik, ruo jeiu im jatu ledrik kab juon kôkajiri jatu ledrik. Jema emoj an jako im emootlok ippen Anij. Jinô ej mour wôt im ej jokwe ippen leo jeiu etan Stan im paamle eo an.Ke iar emmakut jan Majol, iar itok âinwôt ippen bar jet jikul. Kôm etal moktata ñan Maui im tok alik, alikin ruo iiô, iar etal ñan Oklahoma. Ilo ran eo ke iar emmakut jan Maui, Iar kanooj lelñan ilo air port ko. Elukkun kar pen riiti jeje koi m iar jaje ia eo in etal ñane im ta eo in kômmane. Iar baj kajitôk wot ippen armej ro bwe ren jipañ. Juon emmaan, eo ej kareo ear jipañ iiô ia in etal ñan e. Elaññe en kar jab emmaan in, ijaje inaj kar pad ia rainin.Ke iar pad ilo Enid, Oklahoma, iar jerbal ilo juon jikin rej pakiji kaniek ko iumwin lalem iiô ko. Tokâlik, iar emmakuttok ñan Dubuque ippen leo jeiu, e im paamle eo an kab ro iuwan môn jar eo an kômij jipañ letoletak Naan in Anij ippen Ri Majol ro. Elap an utiej buruo kôn Ieo jeiu kôn an kate ilo jerbal in ñan tobar Ri Majol ro im rar jebabwe ak kiô emoj aer loe mool eo ikijien naan in Anij. Anij emman.Ke iar itok ñan Dubuque, iar jerbalin kareo ilo juon hotel iuwmin ruo iiô. Tok âlik, iar kanne pepa in

jerbal ilo Mt. Carmel. Rar bôk iiô im katakin iiô kilen jipañ Sister rein. Elap ao emman jerbal in ij kômmane kiô. Elap ao yokwe Sister ro. Emman ippa jerbal ilo Mt. Carmel. Ewor dre 13 iiô ko in al jerbal ijin. Elap aô jelâ kajien aolep. Ij yokwe sister ro. Ij yokwe aolep.Enañin lalem ak jijno iiô ko remotlok, jinô im jema rar lotok iiô. Jilu week âlikin aer lotok, jema ear jako. Ekar juon riekajet im juon armej ekanojin emmaan. Elap aô oñ kake. Ilukkun kônan bwe en kar pad ippa im ladrik eo neju im jinô.

Jinô im ladrik eo neju rej emman aero pad im rej mônônô in pad ijin. Elap an jinô yokwe iijin ak edrik mejatoto in ijin. Edrike an môlo. Emôj aô iminene kake. Ijjab mijak in kattôr ilo jino im elukkun emman ippa. Ewor juon waô car im juon truck. Ekkâ wôt aô kattôre car eo. Jet ien ij kattôre truck eo ñan jerbal.

Ilo raan in Kurijmaj, Ri Majol ro rej koba ippen doon ñan kememe raan ilo lotak eo an Jijej aolepen raan en. Leo jeiu eo ej tôle ien jar. Tok âlik, kômij môñâ, piit im eb im kuut taim. Kwo lukkun ruwânene in.

Imônônô bwe ij Ri Majol. Elap an utiej buruô bwe ña Ri Majol im ej utiej buruô kôn paamle in Ri Majol eo. Elap am koba ippen droon. Kôm jelâ kajjien aolep. Elap an emman jar ippem.

who were lost and now have found the truth through God’s word. God is good.When I came to Dubuque, I worked in a hotel do-

ing housekeeping for two years. Then, I applied at Mt. Carmel. They accepted me and taught me how to help the Sisters. I do love what I am doing now. I love the Sisters. I love working at Mt. Carmel. I have 13 years working here. I know everybody around. I love the Sisters. I love everybody.About ive or six years ago, my parents came to visit. Three weeks after their visit, my dad passed. He was a judge and a very good man. I miss him a lot. I wish he could be here with me, my son and my mom.

Both my mother and my son are doing well and

are happy to be here. My mom loves it here but she hates the weather. She doesn’t like the cold weather. I have gotten used to it. I am not afraid to drive in the snow and I love it. I have a car and a truck. I drive my car mostly. Sometimes, I drive my truck to work.

On Christmas Day, the Marshallese will be togeth-

er all day long to celebrate the birth of Jesus. My brother will lead the service. Then, we will eat, dance and have a good time. You are invited to come.I love being Marshallese. I am proud to be Mar-shallese and proud of my Marshallese family. We are together a lot. We know everyone. We love to pray.


In 1995, I was born in Majuro, Marshall Island. My Mom, brother, and I came to Texas to join my Dad who was in the army and stationed there - though overseas at the time of our arrival. I was four years old and my brother was ive. We lived in an apartment at the army base.

When Dad was out of the army, we moved as a family to Cedar Rapids, IA. We lived there where my brother and I went to a public grade school. We loved the school and the city. We had two teachers who taught us ESL (English as a Second Language) and they were very nice. Mom and Dad worked at a candy factory, which they loved. We lived in a very nice apartment. At the time, there were very few Marshallese people living in Cedar Rapids.

After two or three years, we moved to Dubuque, IA where Mom and Dad had relatives and Marshallese friends. My brother, 10, and I, 9, loved our new city. We lived with relatives before we found an apartment to live in. We went to Lincoln School, which was good. Washington Junior High was our next school, followed by Senior High School. Because of our very ine ESL classes in Cedar Rapids, English was not a problem for us. My favorite class was social studies because I liked doing projects with others.

After high school graduation, I continued living with my family for a year. In the autumn of 2015,

I began as a nurse aide at Mt. Carmel with the Sisters of Charity, BVM caring for Sisters on the skilled care loors. I love the Sisters and enjoy helping them in any way I can. I can’t say “no” to any of their needs or requests.

In 2015, my brother moved with friends to Seattle and still lives there.

December 2015, I moved to a downtown apartment living by myself. My apartment is near my folks’ apartment so I see them often. I enjoy my place, friends, family, and going to the New Hope Church on Jackson Street. All church members are Marshallese persons. Our songs are sung in Marshallese and we enjoy Marshallese dances. I treasure worshipping God among my people.

Being of low-income, I would appreciate any as-

sistance in applying for medical insurance or aide of any type. (I had to be off work for two months and delayed paying my rent. My renters have now called for a court hearing regarding the back pay-

ments, even though I can now pay them.)

The Dubuque community is welcoming and I love the people here in the city, as well as the Sisters and my being with other Marshallese. I enjoy the pond and lowers in Marshall Park. My plan is to live life here to the fullest!!!

An Anonymous Marshallese StoryAs told by C. Jean Hayen

Bwebwenato in mour ilo MajolKomman ibben C. Jean Hayen

Iar lotak ilo Majuro iiô eo1995, ilo Aelôñ in Majol. Jinô kab ladik jeiu kôm ar emmakut tok ñan Texas ippan jema eo ear jerbal in ritarinae im pad ijon - ak ke kôm ar tôkeaklok jemam ear pad ilo lal ko rettolok ikijjien jerbal. Kar emen iiô dretta ak ladik eo jeiu kar lalem an iiô. Kôm ar jokwe ilo juon apaatmen ilo jikin ritarinae.

Ke jema ear driojlok jan ritarinae, kôm ar em-

makut âinwôt juon paamle ñan Cedar Rapids, IA. Kôm jokwe ijin im komro ladrik eo jeiu are jikul ilo jikul an public. Ekkar lukkun emman ippamro jikul eo im bukon in. Ekkar wor ruo amro rikaki ro rar katakin komro ESL (English as a Second Language) im relukkun kar emman. Jino im jema

rar jerbal ilo juon jikin komman lole ko, im ear lukkun emman ippaero. Ear bar lukkun emman mweo komij jokwe ie. Ilo kar tôreo, ekkar kanooj jeja RiMajol ro rej jokwe ilo Cedar Rapids.

Alikin ruo ak jilu iiô ko, kôm ar emmakut ñan Dubuque, IA ijo ear wor Ri Majol ro nukun im mottan Mama im Baba ie. Kômro ladrik eo jeiu kar 10 drettan im ña 9 kar lukkun yokwe bukon in ekaal. Kôm ar jokwe ippen armej ro nukum mae ien kôm loe juon appaatmen in jokwe ie. Kôm ar jikuul ilo Lincoln School, me ekkar emman. Jikuul to tok juon kôm ar pad ie kar Washington Junior High im tok alikin Senior High School. Kôn an kar emman class in ESL koi lo Cedar Rapids, ekkar


ejjelok abañ ilo kajin palle ippemro. Class eo em-

mantata ippa kar social studies kônke emman ippa kômman project ko ippen ro jet.

Alikin aô kadiojlok jan high school, iar jokwe wôt ippen paamle eo ao bar juon iiô. Ilo kar jemlokin-

lok iiô 22015, Iar jino katak kôn nurse aide ilo Mt. Carmel ippen Sisters of Charity, BVM caring for Sisters ñan kata kilen lale ritto ro. Iar lukkun yok-

we Sister rein im jipañ er etal ñan ijok rej kônan etal ñani. Eben aô ba “jab” ñan jabrewôt aikuj ko aer ak kajitôk ko aer.

Ilo iiô eo 2015, likao eo jeiu ear emmakut lok ñan Seattle ippen jet mottam im jokwe ippeir.

Ilo December 2015, iar emmakut ñan juon appaat-men ilo tauntaun im jokwe ippa make. Appaatmen eo ao epaaklok ñan appaatmen to an jinô im jema im ekkâ ao loe er. Elap an emman ijo jiku, ro

mottan, paamle, im aô etal ñan môn jar eo an New Hope ilo Jackson Street. Aolepn ro iuwan mon jar in rej Ri Majol. Komij al aolepen al ko ilo kajin majol im elap an emman eb in Majol. Elap ao karôke in ao kabuñ ibwilijin armej ro aô.

Kôn an drik wônea, elap ao mônônô im bôk jabrewôt kain menin jipañ kon injuren in takto ak jabdrewôt kain jipañ. (Iar aikuj jolok aô jerbal ruo allôñ im erumij aô kôlIâ wônan rent eo ao. Emoj an ri rent ro aô boklok iiô ñan jikin ekajet ikijien muri ko ao, meñe kiiô imaroñ kôllâiki er.)

Armej ro ilo The Dubuque community elap aer karuwenene im elap aô yokwe armej rein ilo jikin in, ekoba Sisters im ilo aô koba ippen ri majol ro jet. Elap an emman lwe jidikdik eo im wut koi lo Marshall Park. Ej ao pepe bwe in jokwe ijin im jukjuk im amnak ie!!!

My mother was Marshallese and my father was Kosraean. That’s the island where my grandfather was king. Kosrae is the place, Kosraeans are the people. Kosrae isn’t one of the Marshall Islands. Today, it’s part of the Federated States of Micro-

nesia. So yes, I’m a princess, but not anymore. They don’t have kings or princesses anymore but they still call it royal blood in our family. They still respect that.

I grew up in Ponapei. I was about ifteen years old. I tried to inish high school but I didn’t make it. I applied for a job because only my father worked in my family --as a captain for the government of the Marshall Islands. I needed to go out there and try to ind my future. I was in school for about a year and then I quit at age 15. I had two kinds of jobs—in the store working as a cashier, and in the restaurant as a waitress. I worked for about four years and that’s when I met my husband at about age 19.

So we got married about eight months after we met. Without my parents’ permission.

The night we got married I called my parents to come. My father was not in favor of it so he didn’t show up. But my mom did. But she didn’t enter the house-- she stayed outside. We were married in my husband’s parents’ house. It was not a big fancy wedding.

I was wearing my home dress- the one I wear all the time. I was cooking and preparing the food for the wedding. It was the day of my son’s irst birth-

day. It’s a very special day and a big celebration in our culture. We didn’t mention the wedding to anyone. All of a sudden my step parents wanted us to get married before my son’s irst birthday party. So we did, just an hour before. People came for the birthday party, not the wedding. People didn’t know we were getting married then. The birthday party was at my parents’ house. But the wedding was nearby at my in-laws’ house.

This all happened on July 25, 1987, in the evening around 6 o’clock. Everybody was there, all the family, making food for the birthday.

Jenta, my husband, was sick the night we were going to get married two days earlier. He was sick the night we got married too but we did it anyway. We had a pastor come to do the ceremony for the wedding and also to bless the irst birthday party. The wedding took about 45 minutes. No rings, no lowers. We just put our hands on the bible. We were so young that we didn’t realize the wedding was very important. We didn’t prepare for it. But we knew the birthday party was important. It was kind of like “Why not get married?” But we were pretty committed to each other.

Jenta is about six years older than me. He was 25, I was 19.

Irene Ernest’s StoryAs told by Art Roche


It didn’t take long. We were rushing so we could get back to the birthday party. No one knew that we were having another ceremony at that time.You asked me why do people marry in the Marshall Islands? Do they marry for love or for economic reasons or other reasons? Well, we know that if couples are not married it’s not right because, according to the bible, if two persons love each other, we don’t want to be a couple without marrying. That’s one of our religious rules, that’s why we get married. And, sure there was also an element of love. All we know back home, is get married, be a happy couple, take care of your kids. That’s how our parents taught us- if you love each other you should be married before you have your children. We didn’t quite do that but almost. We knew we wanted to get married. It was not a inancial reason.

I have two brothers and one sister. They were not at the wedding. They were at the birthday party. At the wedding there was Jenta’s parents, his older sister, not my mom because she wouldn’t come into the house because she didn’t approve of my husband.

Jenta’s sister and father were witnesses and my mom. We had to call her inside, and she wasn’t happy about that. And she was never happy about my marriage to Jenta. She chose to go that way until she died. She never talked with him and was never happy with him. Even though we would go to their house and visit—she’d never say hi, only my dad.

Jenta is a diabetic. His diabetes went untreated for a long time and that’s why we came to the United States. He doesn’t drink or smoke any longer but diabetes is still a problem. His life was changed, after eight years.

We came to Hawaii in 2008. In 2009, after going back to Marshall Islands briely we came here. First to Enid, Oklahoma for three or four months but we were planning to come here to Dubuque. We came here looking for health care. In Enid and in Hawaii we couldn’t get any healthcare but we knew we could in Dubuque and we did. We heard from Jenta’s family who used to live here in Dubuque, one of his nephews. His sister told us “there’s no place they can help you without insurance but Dubuque, Iowa.” We went to Cres-

cent. I’m still not sure how it happened, but Jenta was able to see a doctor and get eye surgery. The pharmacists taught us how to take care of ourselves with the medicines that we take and we learned how to prepare our food. I am also a diabetic but not as bad as Jenta.

Then we got dismissed from care. I didn’t under-stand—every time they mailed me I didn’t check my mail very carefully and that’s why we got dis-

missed from care. And I thought we could pay just a little each month but then I didn’t do that either. Now because of the Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project, both Jenta and I are back in care with Crescent.

You may not believe it but I was told by an American missionary, he looked at everybody and he picked me and he said, “You’re going to go to a different world which is not your language and you’re going to be working with all these different people, different denominations and with the high-ranked people and you’ll work for the Marshallese people,” and it’s coming true! I said, “God let me be part of it” and he is.

I can’t wait!

Jino ej jen ailon in Majol im jema ej jen ailon in Kujae. Ailon eo im jimma ej juon iroj ie. Kujae ej ailon, im Kosrean ej armij ro rej jene. Kujae ejjab mottan ailon in Majol. Rainin ej juon iaan mottan ko ilo Federated State of Micronesia, aet mol, na is juon iaan leiroj, ak ejako kio. Emoj an armij in Kujae jolok maron eo Iroj ro im Leiroj ro, ak ro ewor botoktok Iroj rej kautej wot er.

Ia r ritto lo kilo ailon in Ponepe. Kei j jonoul lalem ao iio detta. I kajjeon komaj ao High School ak ijab maton kommane. Iar kabbok ao jerbal konke jema wot eo ej rijerbal ilo bamile

eo ao, einwot juon kaben in tima ko waan kein eo an Majol. Iaikuj etal nan Majol im bukot ilju im jeklaj eo ao. Iar bd ilo jukul im ear bojrak ao jukul ke ej jonoul lale ao iio.Ewor ruo ao jerbal, ilo imon wia koi j jerbal einwot juon Cashier, ilo imon mona koi j jerbal einwot juon waitress. Iar jerbal iumin emen iio ko mae ien eo iar ioon leo beleo ke ej jonoul ratimjuon an iio.

Kim ar mare elikin ralitok allon ko in amro ioon dron. Ejelok melim jen jino im jema.Jotinin eo kemto are mare iar kir lok jino im jema nan aero koba tok ak lollap eo jema ear jab lukkun erra

Bwebwenato an Irene Ernest’sKomman ibben Art Roche


kin wewen eo im era jab maron jade tok botap jino are maron itok im bed wot namoj in imweo kemro ej mare, mweo imon jinen im jemen leo ibba, ear jab juon mare eo lap im aibojoj.

Iar konak e nuknuk eo im iar konake ien. Na ij komat im keboj mona ko nan ien mare eo amro. Ien eo ej borainwot ran in kememem eo an ladrik eo neju im ej juon an ioo. Ej juon ran eo elap im juon ien eo kemem ekkar nan manot eo am.Kim ar jab lomnak in kar komane mare eo amro ak jinom im jeman rar konnan bwe kin en mare motkta jen ien kemen ladrrik eo nejimro im ej juon an ioo.kim ar wonmanlok wot mare juon awa mokta jen an jino ien kemem eo. Armij ro woj rar itok nan kemem eo im jab nan mare eo amro. Armij ro rar jab jela ke kemro ar mare, kemem eo ej komman inomojan imwe imon mama im baba, ak mare eo ear komman ilo imweo iman jinen im jemen leo ibba.

Ear komman ilo allon in Julae 25, 1987 ilo jotin eo ke ej 6 awa jota, aolepen bamile ko amro relukkun in mok kin aer kar kommane mon in kemen ko.Jenta leo beleo, ear naninmij jotineo kemro ej iten mare botap kiemro ar wonmalok wot im kommane mare eo amro.Ewro juon rikaki ear kommane komare eo amro im borainwot ear kejeraman ien kemem eo. Ear bok tainin 45 minit in mare eo im ear ejelok ring ejelok wut ak kim ar likity beim ro ioon bible eo im kommane kalumur eo. Kermo ej dik wot ilo tere eo nan am lukkun jela kin aourok in mare, kim ar jab lukkun bojak nane ak kim are bojak wot nan ien kemem eo. Ej einwot etke jejjab mare k kemro lukkun iakwe dron.

Jenta eritto jiljino yio jen na . Ear 25 an iio im ij 19 ao ioo.

Era jab bok juon ien aitok nan kommane mare eo kin ke kemij kokairir in jibadeke lok jikin kemem eo. Ejelok en ejela ke kim ar mare.Koj kajitok etke armij rej mare ilo Majol?. Rej mare kin Iakwe ke kin jeraman k oak kin un ko jet? Eokwe, kim jela ke ne ruo ribalele rejjab mare ejjab emman ekkar nan kien ko rekwojarjar, ne ruo armij rej iakwe dron rej aikuj in kajimwe mour in balele eo aero im mare. Ej juon iaan kaine koi lo kabun. Im ej juon iaan bedbed ilo Iakwe. Ej wewen eo kim ej jela kaki ijoko jikim, ej mrae im monono ibben dron im lale dron im kejbarok ajri ro nejim. Ej wewen eo kim ar katak jen ro jinem im jemem, ne koj lukkun iakwe eo karejeram koj aikuj in mare ikimokta jen an wor nejimiro ajri. Kim ejjab lukkun in kommane ak jet ien.Kim jela ke kim ej aikuj mare ejjab kin jeraman ko.

Ewor ruo jei ak jatu ladrik im juon ledrik. Rar jab bed ilo mare eo ak rar bed ilo ien kemem eo. Ilo ien komare eo jinen im jemen jenta im kora eo jein im ejako mama kinke era jab delon tok imweo bwe

ear jab konan bwe in bok jenta bwe en beleo.

Lieo jein Jenta im jemen im mama rar kamol ien mare eo. kim ar kir tok mam nan loan mweo ak jino ear jab lukkun in monono. Jino ear jab lukkun konan bwe in kar bok Jenta bwe en beleo mae ien ebed ilo lup.Mama aer jab kijon kennen im ear jab monono ibben Jenta. Jokdron ne kimij etal nan imweo imon im lolok, aolep ien ejjab konnan tok ak baba wot eo ej konnan tok.

Jenta ewor an naninmij in tonal, ear jab maron taktok kin naninmij in tonal eo an ilo juon tere eo aetok enin ekkoman bwe kim en emakit tok nan United States. Ejako an kobatat im kadok ak nanin-

mij in tonalej bed wot. Elikin ralitok ioo mour eo an ejino oktak.

Kim ar etal nan Hawaii ilo 2008 im ilo 2009 kim ar rol nan Majol iumin jidik in. Kim are emakit nan Enid, Oklahoma iumin jilu lok nan emen allon koi m kim ar lomnak in emakit tok nan Dubuque in. Kim ar emakity tok nan am bukok ejmour. Ilo Enid im Hawaii kim ar jab maron takto ie kim ejjjab maron elolo jikin takto ak kim jela ke kim maron elolo ilo Dubuque. Kim ar ron jen juon iaan to nuk-

ing Jenta im ear joke ilo Dubuque, juon iaan likao ro manden , ledrik eo jatin ear jiron kim ke ejelok jikin emaron jiban ilo takto ne ejalok am insurance ak Dubuque, Iowa wot. Kim ar takto ilo Cresent im kim ejjab lkkun jela ta eo bwe kim en maron takto. Jenta ear maron takto im borainwot komman mejen, to ilo jikin kauno eo rej katakin kin wawen ad kejbarok kij make im wewen ad bok uno koi m wewen ad kommane mona rekkar na ejmour. Na ej juon iar bar ro ewor naninmij in tonal botap ejjab lab in wot Jenta.

Ear bojark ak takto ilo Cresent, na ijjab lukkun kar melele ke aolep ien rej jilkin tok mail ko aao iar jab lukkun in lale im jela yto ko rej ba ilo mail ko ekoman bwe en bojrak am lok takto ro, iar lomnak imaron kar kola jidkik kin jikdik ilo aolep aollon ak iar jab lore.

Kio kin wot Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project, Jenta im na kim maron in rol im takto ilo Cresent.

Komaton jab tomak ak ewor juon Mijinere in Amedka ear jron tok io ke ear lale ibwijilin ro kajojo ear kelet eo im ba nan na , koj etal nan juon jikin eo eoktak im ejjab am kajin eo e im konaj jer-bal ibben elon kain armij elon denomination koi m rutej r oak konaj jerbal nan rimjol, im ej juon men eo emoj an kakirmol! Im ij ba anij kon komman bwe in mottan er.

Elap ao kijoror!


It was ten years ago – I was 9 years old -- when I stood silently watching Mom, one of my older brothers and my little sister -- packing up all of our belongings. No one was talking much. We seemed sad. Finally all the boxes, my brother and little sister, Mom and me got on to a big boat -- and we headed to America. I can remember being excited about going to “the land of freedom and opportuni-ty,” – but I had no idea of what those words meant. I had enjoyed life in Kili, a small Marshallese Island which I have never seen again since that day when we left. In America we came to Dubuque, Iowa -- a town in the Midwest. My Mom’s sister lived in Dubuque and we began living with her. We came to America to have better opportunities and education.

Life has proven to be “good” for me and my family in Dubuque. Mom learned to make new friends and help us all “it into” America and Iowa culture. Dubuque is a rather small town with a history of immigrants coming mostly from German and Irish backgrounds. I graduated from Senior High School and found a job as a dietary aide in a care center for elderly women. Now I work in the nurse aide department. I love the residents. They are so kind and so grateful for the slightest thing I do for them. My “dream” is to become a nurse someday so I can be even greater help to people who need it. I hope to begin studies for becoming a nurse when I am “motivated” -- that is, when I feel “ready” to really study. I know the classes will be dificult, and I don’t want to waste the scholarships that might be available for me. In the meantime, I am having experience that will be helpful to me later.

I’ll never forget the day – shortly after we arrived in America -- when my ive-year-old cousin, Edgar, was run over by a car. He was killed. I prayed extra hard for a long time for his Mom and Dad and family. They miss him so much. My family has strong faith. My Mom taught us that God really does listen and hears our prayers – and will always answer them -- even if He hasn’t already done so. I attend Church Services four times a week at a Marshallese Full Gospel Christian Church. There are three Churches like that in Dubuque. “Mister Jeik” is our pastor. I like him. He is kind and understanding, and I like the way he speaks to us. The services on Sundays and Wednesdays are “Everyone’s Services”. On Thursday, there is a Woman’s Service, and on Friday a Youth Service. I enjoy going to Church, and have made some good friends there. Praying gives me hope. I wouldn’t be who I am except for my faith in God. When Edgar was killed we, all prayed a lot. I think it helped us to believe that even though we couldn’t see him, God was with us, and telling us that Edgar was OK and happy, and was helping us through all the pain.

I am grateful for the friends I have made, and for life in America. My dream for the future is to stay in America; to have a loving family, safe by my side; to become a nurse; and to get a car of my own so that my parents will not need to drive me to work.

An Anonymous Marshallese StoryAs told by Marie Therese Kalb

Aerial view of Majuro, Marshall Islands. © Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Flickr Creative

Commons.


Jonoul ii ko remootlok ke ear 9 a ii iar jutak im kalimjek an jin, juon iaan ladik ro jei, im ledik eo jat kpooj aolepen men ko mweiem. Ejj-elok ej ba jabdewt, inwt aolep im bromj. Āliktata aolepen book ko am, ladik eo jei, ledik eo jat, jin, im na km ear emmakt im jibadek America. Ij keememej ke iar lukkuun kijooror in emmakt nan juon “aeln in anemkwj im jeraamman,” btab iar jab jel melelein naan kein. Iar mnn ke iar mour ilo Kili, juon aeln edik ilo Majel me ijjanin bar loe jn iien eo iar emmakt jne. Ilo America in km ear jok-

we ilo Dubuque, Iowa juon town ilo Midwest. Juon iaan limaro jein/jatin jin rar jokwe ijin im km ear jokwe ippn. Km ear itok nan America kein nan pukot elaplok jeraamman im jellok-

jen ko rellaplok.

Emman men otemjej ilo Dubuque nan na im baamle e a. Ear jino ln mttan jin im ear jipan km nan jel mour ilo Iowa. Dubuque ej juon town edik im ej juon jikin eln iaan armej ro rej pd ie, rar emmakt tok jn aelnin Germany im Irish. Iar kadiwjlok jn Senior High School im loe juon a jerbal inwt juon eo ej jipan lellap ro ikijjeen ta ko rej aikuj kani nan kakkmanmanlok jmour ko aer. Kii ij jerbal ilo department in nj ro. Elap a yokwe rtto ro rej jerbal ipper. Relukkuun jouj im elap aer kammoolol kn men dikdik ko ij kmmani nan er. Kttpar e a ej bwe in lukkuun juon nj bwe en laplok a jipan ro rej aikuj jipan. Ij kjatdikdik ke inaaj jino katak nan a oktak im juon nj ilo iien eo ijel ke ipojak in naaj lukkuun katak. Ijel bwe kilaaj ko inaaj bki renaaj pen im ijjab knaan kajejtokjn scholarship

ko remaron pellok nan na. Ilo tre in, ij bk kamminene nan naaj ilju im jeklaj bwe men in enaaj jipan na.

Iban meloklok iien eo likin am kar itok nan America, jejjo raan toklik ladik eo rilik Edgar ear mej ke juon wa ear dipeje ke ej 5 wt an ii. Ear lap im to a jar kn rtto ro jinen im jemn im baamle eo aer. Elap aer on kake. Baamle e a elap an kajoor tmak kan aer. Jin ear katakin km bwe Anij ej lukkuun ronjake jar ko im enaaj uwaaki mene emaron jab ilo iien eo wt.

Ij jar emn alen ilo juon wiik ilo imn jar eo an Full Gospel. Ewr jilu kabun in ilo Dubuque. Mister Jeik ej am pastor, emman e ippa. Ejouj im emelele kn enjake ko an ro jet im emman ippa wween an knono nan km. Iien jar ko ilo Jabt im Wnje ej nan aolep. Ilo Taije ej iien jar an kr im ilo Blaide ej iien jar an jodikdik. Emman ippa etal nan imn jar en im eln motta ijen. Jar ej letok a kjatdikdik. Iban kar pd ijin ne ear jab tmak e a ilo Anij. Ke Edgar ear jako km aolep ear jar. Ij tmak bwe men in ear jipan km nan tmak bwe mene km ejjab maron loe Edgar ak Anij ear pd ippam, im ear inwt ne ear jiron km bwe emman an Edgar mour im emnn im ej jipan km ilo iien in ear pen nan km.

Elap a kammoolol kn ro motta im kn mour ilo America in. Kttpar e a ej bwe in pdwt ijin, im bwe baamle e a en emman wt aer pd im ren pdwt itr, bwe in juon nj, im bwe en wr make juon wa wa bwe jin im jema ren jab aikuj bktok na nan jikin jerbal aolep iien.

Bwebwenato in mour ilo MajolKomman ibben Marie Therese Kalb

A special thank you to all the story writers and story tellers who took time to participate in Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories.

Credits

Story writers:

Mary Ellen Caldwell

Mary Jean Ferry

C Jean Hayen

Camilla Hemann

Marie Therese Kalb

Donalda Kehoe

Anna Kelley

Marian Klostermann

Sue Leibold

Mira Mosle

Art Roche

Cover design by Kristine Jubeck, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Project Coordinators:

Suzie Stroud, Facing Project and Clarke University

Katrina Farren-Eller, Inclusive Dubuque Network

Rachel Dilling, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Brian Cooper, Telegraph Herald


I came here in the fall of the year. It was differ-ent-cold, then winter came and there was more cold.

I was here two times. I came from the Islands (and in helping her to igure it out), it was in 2009. I went to 11th and 12th grades. I did not inish school because it was boring for me, so I went back to the Islands. All my friends were in school at that time and I noticed that I needed to inish school. If I don’t inish school, my siblings would say, “why should I go to school if she didn’t?” (I am the oldest in the family.) I wanted to make a good example for them and I did inish.

My grandmother brought me here about maybe 2 years ago. I stayed at my uncle’s house. My sister and my 3 brothers also are here and stay with my uncle. My sister and one brother came the irst time I did, and the other two came in 2013.

My aunt worked here (meaning Clare House) and she brought papers for me to ill out for work here. The next week they called me. I started to work here. I am on my own now. I am working and it makes me feel good. When I called my parents, I told them I go to work now, they could not believe it. “You are working?” They were surprised because I am lazy and this is my irst job. I never worked before. I am 24 years old. I do not drive, but my boyfriend and other family drive. They bring me to work and then come back to get me when I am inished.

I need to learn more at work. Each Sister has dif-ferent routine. At irst, I did not talk. I just watched as they show me what to do. I listened, but I did not talk. Now I talk more.

It is different to be here. This place is so big. Sometimes it is scary because I have never been in a big place like this. It is hard sometimes-there are words that I do not understand. On the Islands, you can walk one end to the other. Sometimes I do not know where to go or what to do. I go to the Mall. I look and sometimes I buy. I go to the movies. I go to the River and walk. It is nice to look. The water here is not as blue as the water around the Islands. Being in Dubuque and the United States is good and it is hard. Sometimes I feel like going back home, I feel like that when the weather is really cold.

It is always good to see other people from the Island. When I was here irst time, there were few from the Islands, but now when I go out, I see people of the Island everywhere. When I see people, I do not talk to them if I don’t know them. There are many here that I do not know. Working here (referring to Clare House), helps me make friends with others not from the Island. I feel that I am accepted for who I am.

Food is different. There are many foods we do not have. On the Islands we had two restaurants. They had ish, chop steak and ramon noodles. I don’t like to cook. I eat what others make. When I work, I have chips and pop.

Here I can wear pants everywhere and I like that because it’s comfortable and good for the cold weather. I cannot wear pants on the Island nor shorts.The best time here is summer. I can meet more people. We play volleyball and baseball at Flora Park.

On the Islands, I was a Protestant. Here, I do not have my church. I go to my uncle’s church. He is Pastor and many go to his church. On Sundays we all get together after church. There are about 40-50 people. Most are family. I am not always there because sometimes I am at work.

Now I live with another uncle. He has kids in school. In home we speak more English to help the kids in school. Sometimes, I am learning from them. Reading is dificult for me. I am lazy to do it step by step. There is some work I need to do on the computer for my work, so last week I inished everything. When I did it, it wasn’t all that bad.

At Christmas time, we practice in groups so that we can perform on Christmas Day at the Church for all the rest of the people. This year we had four groups, one came from Cedar Rapids and one from Oklahoma. It last from 5 pm to 7 am. It is fun. On the Islands, it will take up to three days to have this.

There are people from the Islands in Arkansas, Oklahoma and California. I have been to Califor-nia. I have an aunt there. She has my child who is four years old and she is taking care of her. My girl does not call me Mom, it is okay.

The Story of One Marshallese WomanAs told by Camilla Hemann


Bwebwenato in mour ilo MajolKomman ibben Camilla Hemann

Iar itok ilo ilo jemlok in lok iio eo. Ear lukkun bwe an molo, im ke winter ej itok ej kab lab lok an molo.

Ewor ruo katton ao bed ijin, ij itok jen ailon jidik ( im nan jiban e bukot kejkan) Ilo ioo ne 2009, iar jino ilo 11 im 12 klass. Iar jab kamoj ao jukul kinke ejelok ao itok limo ie, iar rool nan ailon eo ao. Aolep ro jera im motta rej bed wot ilo jikul nan tere eo ej kab jiktok ao ke iaikuj koaoj ao jikul. Ne iban kamoj ao jukul ro jatu renaj ba “ etke rej etal nan jukul ne ijjab bed ilo jukul?” Na ditto tat ilo bamile eo ao. Ij aikju kommane juon wewen eo nan ear amron kejemlok jikul.

Lellep eo jibu era boktok eo nan ijin bolen ruo ioo emotlok. Ij bed ilo imweo iman rikorea. Ledrik eo jatu im ladrik ro jilu rej borainwot jokwe ibben lollap eo rikorea. Ledrik eo jau im juon iaan ladrik eo jatu raan itok ilo tere eo ij itok, ladrik ro ruo rar itok ilo 2013.

Kora eo jnu ej jerbal ilo Dubuque in ( Meaning Care House) im ear boktok juon ao pepa bwe in kanne nan jerbal, week eo tok elik rej call tok eo. Iar jino jerbal ijen. Kio ij jokwe ibba make, ij jerbal im elap ao monono. Ke iar call e lok mama im papa im kwalok ke emoj ao jino jerbal rejjab tomak. Rej kajitok mol ke koj jerbal? Elap aero bwilon kinke na elap makoko ibba im ej kab kein kajuon ao jerbal, era eejelok ao jerbal mokta . Na ij 24 ao iio, ijjab kattor wa, botap leo jera im armij ro jet nuku rej boklok eo nan jerbal im bar itok im bok na jen jikin jerbal.

Iaikuj in bar kata kilo jikin jerbal, kajojo sister eoktak wewen aer jerbal jen dron, kar jinoin iar jab maron konono, ij lale wewen aer kommane jerbal im ij lore. Ij ronjake ak ijjab maron konono. Ak koi j maron konono jidik.

Elp oktak iload bed ijin, jikin kein elap aer kilep im jet ien ekoman men in mijak kinke ijanin kar bed ilo jikin rekillep im einwot in. Jet ien eben nan na kinke jet iaan naan kein ijjab melele kaki. Ilo ailon ko ao komaron konnan ilo juon jikin im jemlok lok bar juon jikin. Jet ien ijjab jela ia eo ij eta lie lok barainwot ta eo ij kommane. Ij etal nan Mall en, Ij alwoj ak jet ien ij bar wia. Ij etal nan jikin alwoj pija ko, ij etal nan tererein river kan im etetalal bajjok. Elap an emman ilo ad lale lok. Dren

e ilo Dubuque ejjab kolar blue im einwot dren koi lo Majol. Bed ilo Dubuque im ilo United States emman ak abwe an bin. Ekoman menin in konan rol nan jo jiku. Ij enjake an lap an mejatoto molo.Elap an emman ne kwoj bar lo jet ro jen majol. Ke iar jino ao bed ijin kar jet wot armij jen Majol ijin, ak kio ne ij diolok im jambo ij elolo rimajol jabedwot jikin ilo Dubuque in. Ne ij elolo rimajol ij kenono ibber bwe ijaje kajjer. Elap an lon wot iaer ijjab jela kajjer. Jerbal ilo ( kenono kake Care Hoiuse), ekoman bwe in maron jela kajjen rojet jen Majol. Ij kile ke rej Iakwe io einwot juon rimajol.Mona ko elap aer oktak. Elon wot kain mona koi m ejelok ilo Majol. Ilo Majol ewor ruo jikin Mona ko, Elon ekk , chop steak, im ramin , na ijjab konan komat. Ij mona ta ro jet rej mona . Ilo jikin jerbal ij mona chip im kola.

Ijin imaron ekonak jeraujij aoep jikin im emman ibba bwe einwot elap an koon im emman nan molo.ilo Majol Ijab maron ekonat jeraujij ak kad ne ko. Ine eo emman tata ibba ej Summer. Imaron bar ioon elon armij im ikkure volleyball im base-

ball ilo park kan.

Ilo ailon ko ao, ij jar ibben jarin relik dron a kilo ijin ejelok jani rarikdrk im ij jar ibben ibben rikaki en rekoreao, ej rikaki nan imon jar en an im elo armij rej jar ibben. Turin lok 40 nan 50 armij. Aoleper rej juon wot bamile. Jet ien ijjab bed ilo jikin kabun kin wot ao jerbal.

Kio ij jokwe ibben leo juon rikokaeo. Elon nejin rej bed ilo jukul im ij bar katak kajin balle ibber. Read ebwe an bin nan na , elap ao makoko in loe jidik lok jidik . jet iaan jerbal kein iaikuj kommane ilo computer nan jikin jeral eo ao. Im ilo week eo lok ke iar kadedelok aolep men, aolep im nana.Ilo ien Christmas , kemij le group im ekatak al im biit nan am kommane ran in kemem eo an Christ. Ilo kar ioo eo kio ewor tain 4 drlulu ko rar koba tokjen Cedar Rapid, One from Oklahoma. Era ijj-no jen 5 jota im jemlok im 7 awa jibbon. Ilo aailon ko am , ej bok jilu raan in Christmas.

Jet iaan armij rein rej jen Arkansas, Oklahoma im California. Iar bed ilo Calfornia, Iar lolok kora eo juon jino ijen im ajri eo neju ej bed ibben im ej emen an ioo kio im ej bok eddoin kio, Ledrik eo neju ejjab ba mama nan na, ejjab nana ibba.


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A special thank you to the Multicultural Family Center for their partnership throughout the project.

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