Student from Yemen tells her story

For the past year on the news, you’ve heard updates on the revolutionary wars that broke out in North Africa and the Middle East. But for some people, this is not just a story on the news channel; it is a part of their life.

Nadine Zokari was born in Bakersfield in 1995 as a U.S. citizen but moved to Yemen that same year. She attended the British International School where she studied Arabic and Islamic studies. Everyone knew Zokari around school.

She grew up in a safe society with no violence, but when people in Yemen wanted a new leader, a revolution began. Ali Abdullah Saleh had been president of the country since 1978. Rather than a president, however, he was more of dictator. He is vastly rich while the country is still very poor. Many believe that he stole money from the people of Yemen.

“I saw violence at the start of the revolution. The president started having people killed who asked him to resign, and he has been president for 33 years,” said Zokari.

She witnessed many protests, but luckily did not see any of the shootings or know anyone who was involved. This once-peaceful place turned into a war zone, making it an unsafe place to live.

On an unforgettable night, Zokari came home and her mother told her that they were moving to the US and that her father could not go.

“I didn’t even pack my bags because I thought she was joking,” said Zokari.

Zokari and her younger sister were both U.S. citizens and their mom had a visa, but because embassies were closed in Yemen, her dad could not go with them.

On March 13, 2011, Zokari, her younger sister, and her mother moved to Delano, Califorina.

“I’m still shocked and surprised. I knew a day before that we were moving to the U.S.,” said Zokari.

Once they moved to California their traveling didn’t stop. They moved to Michigan, Bakersfield, and finally to Castro Valley. She does not find anything wrong with American culture but she says it is hard to like living here without the rest of her family.

She still talks to her dad often. “Several times he’s called us, and we hear gunshots outside the house,” said Zokari.

With a new president in power, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, there are rumors that the revolution is coming to an end.  Yet Zokari doesn’t believe that it will end soon since Hadi was the vice president to Saleh. Hadi was also the only person running in the election, so it was obvious that he was going to win.

It takes a courageous type of person to be able to adapt to a new life like she has done. Even with all of these huge life changes, Zokari still has hope of returning home.