Elodia Lopez

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in a small town called Sahuayo in Michoacan, México.I spent my childhood there before I came to the United States when I was sixteen.

What year did you come to the US?

I came to the United States back in the year 1987.

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
As you know, coming to the United States is very difficult, and adapting to US life was also a bit of a handful.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
For about fourteen years, now.

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
My husband and I wanted to own a house, so that our children could live and grow up there in peace.

How many languages do you know?
I know Spanish and English.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I started attending Able School back in 1994, which lasted about two years. Later, I attended Workplace Education and studied there. In all honesty, I’m still learning the language.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
I think the only thing that I am proud of is that my children are playing at the house I dreamt of. Another is that I obtained my AA degree! (That took about nine years!)

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
I think one of the contributions is my volunteer work for the community, like interpreting at the hospital, Family & Friends, and at Social Services. I’ve also become an informal network source for those in my community looking for help to become citizens.

Alida Patino

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Zeist, The Netherlands

What year did you come to the US?
The 1st time in June of 1959, the second time in Jan. of 1966 after having spent 3 years in Japan in a small town named Fussa not too far from Tokyo.

3>What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
None, everyone assumed I was US born probably from the East Coast since I had a somewhat English accent.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
8 years

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
Because of the growth of Aurora in population, crime and traffic it was time to move to a more tranquil environment and we found it here in Fort Morgan.

How many languages do you know?
Three fluently and several more that I can still read and write but conversation would be difficult for lack of use.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I learned it in school along with French, German and my native Dutch, these were mandatory classes. For the foreign languages it was a minimum of 4 years more if you had a favorite, my favorite was French and I studied it for 71/2 years.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
Raising my children to be responsible adults.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
By staying involved! As an interpreter and translator, by being part of organizations like One Morgan County, Rural Solutions, Friends of the Fort Morgan Library and by taking an active part in public events, be they health, religion or politically driven.

Buddhi Prasa Lamichhane

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
The village Ghairung of the district Gurkha of the country Nepal.

What year did you come to the US?

June 2008

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
There are so many challenges. I am a political person. I was a teacher. I have a Master’s Degree. If I were there I’d be killed. When I went to vote I was surrounded but escaped. I couldn’t go to my home. I have 3 daughters and 1 son. I have a friend caring for them.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
1 month

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
I made a friend and he is helping me. It is very difficult to afford to live in the United States.

How many languages do you know?
Nepali, English, Hindi and Magar

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I have earned a Master’s in the Nepali language and I have a Bachelor’s in mathematics. While in college, I studied English.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
I can sleep and feel more secure here. Naturally, Nepal is very beautiful with mountains and lakes but the government cannot secure the people.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
First of all I want to stay here because of security for my life. I want help to become a resident.

Esneide Shafer

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Bolivia, in a small town called Trinidad. I grew up there until was 12 years old. Then I moved to Mexico City and I lived there for 6 years.

What year did you come to the US?

I came to the US in 1991.

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
To work in USA was challenge for me because the language and I had to learn to do different kinds of jobs.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
16 years.

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
I got married here and I like this quiet city for my children to grow up.

How many languages do you know?
Two languages English and Spanish.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I went to school at the Community College. I could have communication in English after 5 years living here.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
My family and I still have a lot of goals. One of them is to finish school and get a good job.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
I would like to help in the community program.

Gabriel Pablo

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
San Miguel Acatán, Huehuetenango, Guatemala

What year did you come to the US?

I came to the U.S. in 1992.

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
It was difficult to see how different the U.S. is compared to Guatemala.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
I have lived here 13 years.

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
Because I have a good job at Cargill and the town is good to raise a family.

How many languages do you know?
My dialect Akateco, English and Spanish.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I went to ABLE and talking to people. It took me about 7 years.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
I like everything in the U.S. and I have the opportunity to have my own business. I love this country.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
Sometimes the City invites me to sell food that way they can learn about Latino food.

Abekyamwale 'Michael' Lubembela

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Africa in Congo Kinshasa.

What year did you come to the US?

August 14, 2006.

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
I was a teacher. I left my country because of war. People wanted to kill me. After I left my country I was in a refugee camp for 10 years.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
1 year and 3 months.

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
I need to live in a small community because I want to be able to watch my family. I didn’t like some of the things I saw in Denver. When I reached Fort Morgan the people were friendly to my family.

How many languages do you know?
I speak Swahili, French, Lingala, Kicongo and English.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I was learning English in my country but English in my country is different because it is British English. When I reached the USA I went to school in Denver for 3 months at Emily Griffith and Spring Institute. And in Fort Morgan I took some classes at Cargill.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
First is my family. My kids now speak English very well. I used to need an interpreter but now I do it myself. I know how to drive. I have learned how to live with different people. I can write in English.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
When I came to Fort Morgan most refugees had come from Somalia. Now when people come from other countries of Africa I can help them. There are families here from Burundi, Congo and Ethiopia.

Vassi Bieber

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Athens, Greece and I grew up in Riverside, CA

What year did you come to the US?

My family and I moved from Greece to Riverside, CA on January 30, 1980.

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
Even back in 1980, you couldn’t just decide to move to the United States to pursue the “American Dream”. My uncle had to sponsor our family in order for us to come here. We received our green cards when we arrived in New York and we had to live with my uncle for at least a year. Also, it was required that my parents find suitable employment; quite a challenge for two young parents who spoke mostly Greek. My mother became a US citizen in 1990 and it was a very proud moment for her. She wanted her children to have the same opportunity, so in 1993 she filled out the paper work so that my sister and I could become citizens as well. Since she died before we were able to take our oaths, my sister and I had to wait until we turned 18 to apply. I became a US citizen in 1997.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
I moved to Fort Morgan with my then fiancé, Jacob Bieber, in 2005.

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
My fiancé and I had just completed graduate school and we both needed a fresh start. California was too saturated and too expensive. We both desired a more “subtle” lifestyle that lacked traffic and congestion.

How many languages do you know?
I speak Greek and English fluently and I have a rudimentary understanding of French.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
Even though I was only 18 months old when my family moved to California, I actually didn’t learn English until I started Kindergarten. My father was working full-time and my sister and I were able to stay home with our mom, who didn’t speak English very well. My parents had also found a small community of Greeks that they would interact with in their free time so we were not exposed to a lot of English. I don’t believe you can really learn a language if you’re not immersed in it.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
My proudest accomplishment since coming to the US is being the first in my family (my ENTIRE family, including all extended family) to obtain a college education.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
I feel that we all need to contribute to our communities in one way or another. I am lucky that I work at Morgan Federal Bank because they allow me the opportunity to join organizations and give back whenever I can. With One Morgan County, my coworkers and I are able to give presentations to teach basic banking skills to the under-banked.

Wendy Tong

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Hong Kong, China. I moved to New York City when I was 9 years old.

What year did you come to the US?

I came to the US in the year 1989.

What challenges did you have to overcome in order to come to the US?
I think the most difficult thing I need to deal with is learning English and try not to be an outcast especially in school back then.

How long have you lived in Morgan County?
I have lived in Morgan County for 5 years.

Why do you want to live in Morgan County?
I started an Asian restaurant—Little Bamboo 5 years ago and decided to live here.

How many languages do you know?
Two, Chinese & English.

How did you learn English and how long did it take?
I have English as second language classes back in the year 1989 when I was in fourth grade. It took me about a year to learn the language.

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the US?
I am proud to have my own restaurant. The business struggled with some problems around 3 years ago, and I am very lucky it is doing really good now.

What contribution do you feel like you make to this community?
I have made donations to many school events, and I think I have brought the Asian culture to Fort Morgan by opening Little Bamboo.