2008 Woodie Awards
AMERICAN DREAM: Albanian immigrant finds joy at Bolton
WHITNEY KESSLER
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: News
|
She hadn't learned English because only the city children were taught languages beyond their native tongue.
However, the young mother of two took the risk with her husband at her side in order to live the American dream.
Sitting across the table in Bolton Dining Commons where she works, Harallambi fought back tears as she described the communist effects on her small village in Albania.
"There was no freedom. In communism, everything was limited," she said. "If you cried, they put your momma and daddy to jail."
Although her stories are heartbreaking in many ways, Harallambi said Albania is still home and a place she misses.
"Albania is on the Mediterranean and it is very, very beautiful," she said. "I lived on a farm and the ocean was close. I love the water."
Growing up in rural Albania, Harallambi said her friend jokingly encouraged her to play the lottery one time, but she expected nothing to come of it.
"My friend said, 'Donika, you lose nothing to play. Just do it,'" she said. "I wasn't prepared to move from Albania, but I won."
In 1995, she said everything changed when the prize of immigration was given to her and her family.
"Even when the postman came to my house, and he had a big white envelope, I didn't believe it," she said. "I said, 'Wow! This happened to me.'"
After moving to the States, the Harallambi family was given assistance from the sister church that Donika was connected with from the Albanian capital. She said she credits the members of the church in Talladega for being her first impression of how wonderful the United States can be.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Wanda 06
posted 9/24/08 @ 8:40 AM EST
I worked with Donika at Bolton from 2004-2006 and she is indeed a great woman! She was a joy to work with and always had a smile on her face.
Maximilien Robespierre
posted 9/24/08 @ 4:46 PM EST
Maybe there should be an article about why the Bolton Dining Hall Employee of the Year needs a second job at the supermarket. This "newspaper" is so ridiculous. (Continued…)
Max Power
posted 9/24/08 @ 6:42 PM EST
Donika and Ms. Sandra are cooler than everyone ever in life.
Especially whoever was writing under the name "Robespierre". What a tool.
Joe
posted 9/24/08 @ 7:10 PM EST
It's nice to see Donika getting recognition. She's an awesome person and was great to work with!
Post a Comment