My Story: English-language learners from Portland Adult Education sharing their stories in their words.
Teresa Filomena Kabongo, from Angola. -Courtesy Photo
My name is Teresa Filomena Kabongo. I live on Chestnut Street in Portland. I’m from Angola, but originally from the Republic Democratic of Congo. I have four children, two daughters and two sons. I’m married. I do not have grandchildren.
I came to America 2012. My grandfather’s name Kabongo and grandmother name is Mushiya. They have passed away. My father name is Raymond Kabongo and my mother name is Teresa Mitongo. My dad and my mom died a long time ago in my country.
The name Teresa is from the church, Sainte Theresa.
I have 17 sisters and brothers alive. I have big family, the cousins and aunts. I have one uncle, the other is dead. My uncle has nine children.
My favorite colors are black, white, and red. I like cats. I like friends, I have many.
American people is correct. For me, American food is good. I like American clothes. I like American TV and movies. I like to watch TV for information of the world.
I like the weather here, but cold!!! The difference is, my country is very, very hot.
I want my children to go to college, get married, and I want to have grandson and granddaughter.
I like Christmas because it is celebration of Jesus died, and I like Thanksgiving in America because I’m cooking big chicken and I’m happy for this day. I like birthday celebrations. I enjoy too much for party.
I work in a rental uniform (Pratt Abbott), is big laundry in Westbrook. I use a machine for cleaning the clothes. I like to work in laundry because is exercise for my body and good health for me. In the past, I worked two jobs – in a store selling business clothes, and a store for food. In the future, I want to work in a hospital, store, or church.
I sing very well. I like singing in church, and I sing together with my children. In my country, music is very, very important because many people like singing and dances. In my country, many people sing and play music and play drums.
For me, I like to sing all days, in my home, at work. When I am sad, I need many song. I sing every time. I like the music of Celine Dion and also Gospel music.
I like my friend Clarice. We work together. She is my best friend. She has good heart. She helps me with everything. She’s American Spanish. She has brown eyes. She has children.
I liked a book very much from my country, I remember the story name is Ndata Sangu. Here is the story:
In a village close to mine, lived Ndata Sangu, who must be nearly 80 years old. One day he told the parents of a young girl named Yessa that he wanted to marry her.
The mother of the girl objected, but the father agreed. The mother told Yessa to put a full cup of salt in his food so that he will leave.
Yessa put too much salt in the food. Ndata Sangu began eating. He called his wife and complimented her for having delicious salty food.
When Yessa told her mother that her husband liked the salty food, her mother said, “This is what you will do: you will put a lot of peppers in the pan. This time, the trick will succeed.”
No sooner said than done. As soon as he began to eat, Ndata Sangu tasted the pepper, but he called his wife and congratulated her again.
“I wonder, he said, how do you know my every desire? These peppers calm my cough.”
Desperate, Yessa came again and told everything to her mother.
“This time, take torch oil and put it on all the clothes, furniture, bed, and walls. We’ll see if he does not leave you!”
Yessa completed this task just as Ndata Sangu came home. He carefully examined the house and roared its approval.
“My wife,” he said, “You’re really smart; it’s an excellent idea to have this oil spilled everywhere; it will destroy fleas, bed bugs and other pests. You’re a good woman; my choice was good!”
Thus Yessa at wits end, finally decided to stay with her husband. Ndata Sangu, thanks to his patience, had finally succeeded.
