There is an area in Sudan where there are no streets, no working phones, limited drinking water, and limited food, yet the area is populated with thousands of people, including Abbo Abakar’s mother.
Abbo arrived in the United States as a refugee from Sudan. He left his country to escape war and violence, but leaving his country also meant leaving his mother. When he arrived in San Diego, his goals were simple: become a US citizen, and bring his mother to his new home. He enrolled in Continuing Education classes at Mid-City Campus to study for the Citizenship exam, and on May 25, 2014 Abbo completed his first goal during an official naturalization oath ceremony. “It was big, big, big,” he said. “I came here to get freedom. Now I am a US citizen, and now I have freedom.”
Abbo is continuing his education and plans to gain a high school equivalency after completing preparation classes at Continuing Education. He knows education will provide him more opportunity. His next priority is contacting his mother. “It is not easy because there are no phones there. I need to figure out a way,” he said.
After studying in Continuing Education citizenship classes, Abbo Abakar was armed with the necessary knowledge to apply for naturalization, pass the verbal and written exam, and stand proudly at attention to recite and pledge the naturalization oath of allegiance.
Continuing Education helps approximately 500 students annually prepare for Citizenship. Preparation classes cover the overall application process and provide practice with the questions and information students can expect during their official oral interview.
“Citizenship changes lives,” said Mechelle Perrott, a CE Citizenship instructor. “Achieving citizenship is a big accomplishment for both students and their families....to hear about their lives before, why they want to become citizens and then to know we are helping them achieve something very significant that will impact their lives in a profound and lasting way is very rewarding.”
