The Good in People By Sara Gomaa, Welcome Workshop Coordinator, Miry’s List
I remember the day when I first arrived at LAX Airport on January 26, 2017, at 1:15 pm. I was thinking, "How can California be my last destination when I was informed before I would take a flight that lands in Columbus, Ohio? Not only have I lost all links I made in Ohio before traveling to America, but how will I face a blurry future in California where I know nobody?" Then, a few hours later, waking up in a motel, I opened my eyes to the breaking news on TV saying that f o r m e r P re s i d e n t D o n a l d Tr u m p declared a Travel Ban on all refugees.
“America isn't only the negative news we hear from the outside but has a lot of good that I’ve seen and felt firsthand.”
A few days later, I met an American lady named Miry Whitehill. I was initially skeptical about trusting a volunteer coming to offer help at a motel in Glendale full of recently resettled refugees, mostly from Muslim communities. But seeing her warm, smiling face and receiving the warmest hug made me think this was just one person's act of kindness. But, two days later, another American couple called me and offered me a home to stay in for thirty days at no charge. They asked for nothing even though they gave me a priceless experience of being and feeling welcomed in their home. I told myself, "These are rare humans who happened to connect with me to counteract the hateful atmosphere looming over the United States after the Refugee Ban. With time, I met more and more Americans through Miry's List New Arrival Supper Clubs who want nothing but to say welcome and offer a helping hand, whether by helping to connect to a social network or seek employment opportunities. Since then, I've acknowledged that America isn't only
