LYNN — Roxana Perez arrived in the United States from Guatemala, separated from her mother and pretty much on her own.
She lived with people she did not know very well, and everyone she dealt with was a stranger. Some of them weren’t very friendly.
“Once, I was working and my boss yelled at me and called me stupid,” said Perez, one of 11 students from Lynn English to give a video presentation at Wednesday night’s “Living in Two Worlds Film and Photo Exhibition,” presented at the high-school auditorium.
“I cried,” said Perez. “But that was the day I decided to learn English so I could get a better job.”
Living in Two Worlds is an after-school program where students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds gather to learn more about each other and share that knowledge in either films or photo projects. Faculty members Laurie Keaney and Ginny Keenan run the program. Keaney takes care of the everyday activities that serve as ice-breakers so that the students can feel comfortable sharing, and Keenan works with them on their projects.
“I love this program,” Keenan said. “It’s a passion with me.”
Some themes run through all the presentations. Many of the students found the best way to achieve some sort of link with their homelands was through their faith. Some spoke of loneliness upon coming here only to be embraced by friends. Others found their way through assiduous attention to their education. But all say their progress, even after only two years in some cases, has been measurable.
“The first time I saw snow and felt how cold it was in Lynn, I understood why so many tourists like Egypt,” wrote Rowan Shehata in her photo display. “At the same time, I loved the snow. And I like the fact that it’s not always hot up here.
“I feel comfortable here,” the English freshman said. “I’m a lot more comfortable about my future.”
Another native Egyptian, Doaa Khedr, is very faith-oriented, making sure she prays often at her mosque on Essex Street.
“I was happy when I came here to make friends,” said Khedr, one of whose friends is Shehata. “I feel good about where I am.”
Though she loves her homeland, Shanaya Jean Julien wanted to escape the gang activity and violence that plagues Haiti. She came here two years ago, at the age of 15, knowing no English. Even now, two years later, she struggles with it. But thanks to her father, and some of her classes, she’s developed a love for science.
“My father has taught me the beauty of science,” she said.
She also said, “it’s heartbreaking to hear about all the bad things coming out of Haiti.”
Other participants were Adam El Qanoun, who is from Morocco, but spent much of his youth in Africa, and often has trouble adjusting to the faster-paced American life.
“It can be overwhelming,” he said. “Thankfully, I’m on the track team here and I can work off my energy.”
Angelica Lopez was raised in Guatemala by her grandparents and initially did not want to come to the U.S. for fear she’d never see them again. But her mother was already in the country, “and seeing her was very emotional,” she said.
Carol Queiroz grew up in Brazil, but moved around and “always seemed to be the new student.” Now, she says, she wants to be a nursing assistant.
“I have learned how to help people,” she said.
Melleli Perez, also from Guatemala, said she was separated from her mother and siblings until three years ago. She found solace in her faith and in education.
“I love learning,” she said.
Tanvir Haque of Bangladesh came here four years ago, and is close with his family,
“I spend my time with my family, and with after-school activities at English.”
Katerin Linares of El Salvador had to flee her country and make her way through Mexico to the U.S. border.
“When we got there, I was happy to see the airplane tickets my sister (had) so we could join her in Lynn,” she said. “Since then, life has been so happy.”
Rowenah Nakate of Uganda said that coming to the Boston area involved two days of airplane travel where “my excitement over flying turned into boredom.
“I expected life to be different,” she said, “but not that different.”
She felt overwhelmed by the vast network of streets, which were much more complicated than her village.
“I was afraid I’d get lost,” she said.
She also marveled at the washing machine.
“I was excited to see that,” she said. “At home, we washed all our clothes by hand.”
In the 10 years the program has existed at Lynn English, 150 students have shared their stories. They represent 14 countries, Keenan said.
Giving photo exhibits were Shehata; Josue Hernandez of Guatemala; Deolinda Maranda, Angola; Danielle Parkinsonk, Jamaica; Julian Perdomo, Dominican Republic; and Vilma Perez of Guatemala.