Reply #18: k&r and, I know

[Bluerthanblue]

you speak the truth Cat-
I have a dear DEAR friend who is from Togo, via a Benin refugee camp. She, her husband and two small children have taught me so very much about many things. (even though my official introduction to them was as a teacher of English as a second language :crazy: )

She says "in America you have so much- Too much, but not enough of what you need to live here without sorrow". In her culture, children when they are grown, are entrusted with the care of thier elders. She's desperately seeking employment at Walmart or McDonalds (they don't require a GED) so that she can send some money back to the woman who raised her her-Grandmother- who is back in Togo and very ill. My sweet friend has a no certificates from her home country, and the US will not honor any of her, or her husbands certifications without the necessiary papers.- And believe me, todays testing is grueling for people who are non english/spanish speakers.

I've come to believe that 'civilization' is overated. If 'civilized' nations, the imperialistic France, England, Holland and others, had not interfered in the lives of the inhabitants of many smaller countries, there wouldn't be the AK47's in the hands of child soldiers, or hatred encouraged by 'covert operations' sent to manipulate vunerable governments to do the bidding of the "civilized world".

Thank you for posting your wonderful account of your friend, and what you have learned from her for us.

Peace and comfort,
blu