Thank you, Sharif!
On Wednesday June 13, 2018 we heard a classification speech from Sharif Hared. Sharif was born in Mogadishu. He shared some beautiful pictures of the city before the war started in 1991. At that time, as a 16-year-old young man he followed his mother and 15 other women with almost 40 children to Kenya. This was a 450-mile journey to a refugee camp there.
Sharif told us when they were fleeing the war and fighting was not what scarred him. It was the wild animals on the journey. Lions, elephants, and other large game. He told us someone would have to stay away all night to keep watch over the group of travelers.
When they arrived to the refugee camp in Ifo Kenya, they found a city of tents for refuge. Today some 60 thousand still live in the refugee camp.
Sharif was able to complete the process to immigrate to Canada and the United States. This process can take 3 or 4 years to complete. He first immigrated to Manitoba, Canada. Then to Rochester, Minnesota before finally settling in Faribault. We shared a good laugh when he was explaining snow. He said he sent pictures home to family and they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Sharif has three children, ages 16, 12, and 8 months. He has been a member of Rotary for about a year and was excited to finally give his classification talk.
It was a fascinating story, and he is a great speaker! Thank you, Sharif, for sharing with us!