Bale Bler (left), 19, and Gracie, 7, discuss what they want to be when they grow up and some of their favorite things to do in Akron. (Photo: Dale Dong)
Thanks to the International Institute of Akron for sharing these interviews of children from local refugee families. Ba Bler loves being surrounded by books at the library and Gracie wants to be an artist when she grows up.
BA BLER, 19, Burma
What do you like about Akron?
What I like about the United States is that there are so many opportunities out there. You can choose what you want to do with your life freely. What I like about Akron is the people. I love how we have so much ethnicity and people from all over the world. People are very nice in Akron.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
When I grow up I want to be a teacher. I’d like to work in the education field as an elementary teacher. I like to help children. Being a teacher, I will work with kids and encourage them to work hard in school. I like to work with kids.
What do you hope for your future?
I hope that I will reach my goal as being a teacher, so that I can make enough money for my family. My aspiration for the future is to be somebody that people can lean on and can look up to and be there for people. I want to be a helping hand for the needy.
What do you hope for your family’s future?
My hope for my family’s future is to be always filled with love and understand each other.
(Photo: Dale Dong)
What do you like to do in Akron?
I like to watch cooking shows on YouTube on my free time. I like to watch them because it helps me with my cooking, and I love looking at food and eating it.
What do you like about school?
What I like about my school is that there are so many people who are willing to help you with anything. So if you are stuck, you can ask for help and they will help you.
Where is your favorite place in Akron?
My favorite place in Akron is the downtown Main Library. It is so beautiful and peaceful there and when I go there I’m surrounded by books and I love books, so that’s why I like it.
What do you like about the International Institute of Akron (IIA)?
What I like about the IIA is that they were the first people or program (organization) that helped us settle in Akron, Ohio when we first came to America. They are very nice people and they are willing to help with anything.
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: I do not have a favorite food. I can almost eat anything.
Favorite Season: My favorite season is summer because there is no school and I get to go on vacation and go play sports in the nice weather. I love to play volleyball. Summer is a good time to play with my friends and compete with our Karen community in other states.
GRACIE DOWN HTOO, 7, USA/Akron
I like Akron because people are nice to me. I want to be an artist when I grow up, because I like painting. I hope to go to college in the future. My hope for my family’s future is to be a good family and nice. I like to do fun things with my family, and I like to play dolls in my free time. We get to have recess time in my school and that’s what I like about my school. My favorite colors are blue, purple and gold. I like to eat noodles a lot. My aspiration for the future is that everybody could get along and I will do well in school and make my parents proud.
