Benson Marino
Age: 19
Region: Upper Nile
The name of my tribe is Acholi. I was born in Equatoria, a region in Juba. I really
don’t remember anything about when I left home because I was so young. I was only
a couple months old when I left Sudan.
I eventually went to Ifo, a camp in Kenya I was five years old and I stayed in Ifo for
six years.
In 2005 I came to the U.S. I was happy to come to the U.S. The culture was different,
like the food. I got used to it. I still cook my African food. It’s hard to get African
recipes.
The thing I like most about living here is being in school. School is the key to the
future. You have to set up your goals and know what you’re doing. I’m in my second
year at the Bryman School in Phoenix. I am studying to be a medical assistant. I want
to be a radiologist.
My culture is way different. The most surprising thing about American culture is
that women talk back to their husbands. Women in Sudan respect their husbands.
I played basketball and soccer in high school. I’m a nicer person and easy-going. I
like everybody. I have a lot of friends and I get along with everybody.
In 2005, I spoke with my Dad in Sudan. He is doing great.