>> HI, I'M PERK FORD FOR PAID HERE.

THE CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE STUDENT SHOWCASE IS A LOOK AT WORKS FROM THE BROADCAST MEDIA PRODUCTION AND FILMMAKING PROGRAMS AT THE COLLEGE.

IT FEATURES FOUR FILMS ADOCUMENTARY ABOUT MEDIA FREEDOM IN GAMBIA, A DOC PROFILING BUSINESSES, AND A SHORT FICTION FILM FROM STUDENTS ABROAD IN DUBLIN.

YOU CAN WATCH THE SHOWCASE AND OTHER GREAT MADE HERE FILMS STREAMING ON VERMONT PUBLIC.ORG AND FROM THE APP.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

ENJOY THE FILMS.

[BIRD SINGING] >> SEPTEMBER 15, I DIDN'T SLEEP GOOD LAST NIGHT.

I THINK IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.

I HEARD EVERY CREEK AND SNORE FROM EVERYONE ELSE.

I TRIED TO GET SOME WORK DONE DURING CLASS.

I THE DAYS ARE JUST RUNNING TOGETHER.

I CAN'T THEAP I'M SO RESTLESS.

I'M BORED DURING THE DAY.

>> HELLO.

DID SOMEONE DROP THIS?

>> JANUARY 1st, HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THIS WAS GIFTED TO ME MY MIEP MOTHER.

SHE WANTED ME TO HAVE A WAY TO EXPRESS MYSELF WHICH ISN'T A BAD IDEA CONSIDERING.

IT'S MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO WRITE HERE AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

I THOUGHT I WOULD WRITE TO YOU.

I KNOW IT SOUNDS CHEESY BUT I'M NOT SURE WHO TO BRING TO OTHERWISE.

TELLING EVERYTHING TO ONE SPECIFIC PERSON SEEMS DAUNTING SO DEAR DUBLIN.

>> YOU ARE SO COLD.

AT LEAST AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I WANTED TO AT LEAST SEE SOME PEOPLE BUT I'M STILL SCARED.

I GOT UP AND STARTED WANDERING AROUND.

I REALIZED I WOULD FRIES TO DEATH IF I SAT THERE ANY LONGER.

THERE'S HARDLY ANYONE OUT THERE WHICH HAS TO DO WITH HANGOVERS FROM LAST NIGHT BUT IT MAKES ME WONDER WHY I'M OUT HERE.

FEBRUARY 24, DEAR DUBLIN.

MY FRIEND TOOK ME TO A SHOW AT THE CONCERT HALL.

I THINK SHE FELT BAD FOR ME.

I HAVEN'T GONE OUT TO DO ANYTHING IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

IT WAS JUST THE TWO OFS US.

I WONDER IF SHE MISSED ME OR DIDN'T WANT TO OVERWHELM ME WITH FRIENDS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING, NOT THAT WE COULD.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE SPENT ANY TIME ONE ON ONE LIKE THAT.

THERE WERE THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT HER.

I HAVE KNOWN HER FORING SO LONG L I'M REALIZING THAT I HAVE A CRUSH ON MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND.

I'M LOST, DUBLIN.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

"MARCH" 2.

DEAR DUBLIN.

I WENT TO MASS WITH MY MOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT A YEAR.

I USED TO GO EVERY L ALL THE SINGING AND RESPONSES.

IT WAS AS LIFESAVING AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

DOESN'T EVEN HURT ANY MORE.

NO SCAR EITHER.

I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A SCAR THERE THAT ONLY I CAN SEE.

YOU DON'T SEE, DUBLIN.% APRIL 8.

DEAR DUBLIN.

YOU KNOW WHEN SOMETHING FINALLY KICKED IN MY BRAIN AND HER DARK BROWN EYES BECAME THE BRIGHTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN, HER SMILE THE WHITEST, PRETTIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN.

WE SAT IN THE DARK WITH STRANGERS.

WE WENT FOR A WALK TODAY.

SHE CAUGHT ON TO THE FACT IT'S EASY FOR ME TO GET DISTRACTED.

YOU'VE GOTTEN WARMER, DUBLIN.

IS THIS A SIGN?

MAY 12.

DEAR DUBLIN.

THERE'S A SAYING THAT IF YOU HAVE COLD HANDS YOU HAVE A WARM HEART.

DOES IT WORK THE OTHER WAY TOO?

DOES SOMETHING LOOK LIKE A GOOD FIND UNTIL YOU LOOK DEEPER?

YOU HAVE NOT BEEN KIND TO ME.

I HAVE TAKEN A STEP BACKWARD AND RETREATED TO THE BOOK SHIFT I USED TO SPEND A LOT OF MY TIME IN.

I LIKED TO HIDE IN THE BACK WHERE NOBODY GOES.

APPARENTLY MY WISH CAME TWRIEW TODAY.

NORMALLY BRIGHTENS MY DAY.

BUT I FELT SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY.

A GUY I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

I HAVE KNOWN HER ALL MY LIFE AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS GUY.

AS SOON AS I SAW THEIR FINGERS LACED TOGETHER I KNEW IT WAS OVER.

I MANAGED TO SNEAK OUT WITHOUT HER SEEING ME.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO OR IF SHE WAS REALLY WITH ME OR NOT BUT I'M NOT SURE SHE TRULY LIKED ME EITHER.

I WISH YOU WERE BIGGER, DUBLIN, SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO SEE HER.

JUNE 25.

I WENT TO ONE OF THE FEW PLACES I LOVE TO GO, EVEN THOUGH IT'S CROWDED AND FULL OF TOURISTS.

MY MOTHER USED TO TAKE ME THERE QUITE A BIT ON THE WEEKEND.

I USED TO SIT ON THE CURB AND PEOPLE WATCH.

SOMETIMES WE WOULD GRAB A BITE TO EAT.

WE DON'T GO THERE MUCH ANY MORE SINCE I MOVED OUT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE MYSELF THERE.

IT'S SAD TO WATCH SOMEONE EATING ALONE BUT IT WAS PEACEFUL.

I GUESS I WOULD RATHER JUST PEOPLE WATCH NAN ACTUALLY BE AROUND ANYONE.

GAVE ME A LOT OF TIME TO THINK.

MOSTLY ABOUT THOSE NICE TIMES OWHEN I WALKED ON THE GREEN WITH MOM.

JULY 17, DEAR DUBLIN.

I DROVE ANY EXPERT TO THE AIRPORT TODAY.

SHE'S LEAVE FOR AMERICA FOR A NEW JOB.

NOT THAT SHE DOESN'T LIKE YOU, DUBLIN, SHE IS GOING TO BE AN AMBASSADOR, WHICH I'M HAVING A HARD TIME GRASPING.

SHE IS JUST MY LITTLE SISTER.

HOW CAN SHE BE A BIG SMOT AMBASSADOR, YOU KNOW?

GOOD LUCK TO HER.

I WILL MISS HER.

WON'T YOU, DUBLIN?

AUGUST 10.

DEAR DUBLIN.

I TRIED TO GO TO MASS AGAIN.

MY MOTHER COULDN'T COME WITH ME THIS TIME, WHICH IS SURPRISING CONSIDERING HER RELIGIOUS VIEWS.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT I WOULD TAKE AN ARMY TO STOP HER.

APPARENTLY IT TAKES DISEASE T. HER DOCTOR RECOMMENDED SHE NOT STRAY TOO MUCH EVEN THOUGH IT'S JUST WALKING INTO MASS.

I CHECKED ON HER TODAY.

YOU WOULDN'T KNOW SHE WAS SICK FROM THE TONE OF HER VOICE AND HER GIDDY PERSONALITY.

SHE'S SO PALE, THOUGH.

I'M WORRIED BUT SHE MANAGED TO KEEP HER SPIRITS UP.

YOU CAN'T HELP BUT THINK WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN SOON.

I WANDERED AROUND THE GRAVEYARD INSTEAD OF GOING TO MASS.

I BET SHE WILL BE BURIED HERE.

>> I'M SO SORRY.

>> SEPTEMBER 15.

DEAR DUBLIN.

THIS MIGHT BE MY FINAL ENTRY.

>> YOU CAN'T JUST STOP.

HOW AM I TO FIND YOU?

>> I KNOW I WAS SUPPOSED WRITE AT LAST ONCE A MONTH BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S HELPING.

I HAVEN'T FELT MORE CONNECTED TO ANYONE OR EVEN TO YOU, DUBLIN.

IF ANYTHING I HAVE GOTTEN MORE ISOLATED, I SIT ALONE IN THE QUIETEST PARTS OF THE CITY, NOT EVEN TALKING OR SEEING ANYONE.

>> OH!

THAT'S YOURS.

I'M SO SORRY.

I'M SO SORRY.

IT WAS JUST LYING ON THE GROUND OVER THERE.

I WASN'T GOING TO READ IT.

THERE'S NO NAME ON THE INSIDE.

I JUST STARTED READING.

THEN -- I'M SO SORRY.

I KNOW THERE'S PERSONAL STUFF IN THERE.

I DIDN'T WANT TO JUST LEAVE IT ON THE GROUND.

I REALLY HOPE I DIDN'T HURT YOU.

OH!

OH, YOUR ENTRIES.

I GOTTA GO.

OH, NOT THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS TO BE YOU.

I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.

SEPTEMBER 5.

I WAS UP ALL NIGHT WORRYING.

SEPTEMBER 7.

SHE NEVER SHOWED UP.

I ENDED UP WATCHING BY MYSELF BEFORE I LEFT.

I'M SO SICK OF THAT.

SEPTEMBER 18.

I HAVE BEEN AWAY AT UNIVERSITY STARTING MY FIRST YEAR.

I ALREADY KIND OF MISS MY FAMILY.

I'M NOT SO USED TO BEING AWAY FOR SO LONG.

I MISS OUR ADVENTURES ON WEEKEND.

I MISS BEING TAKEN CARE OF.

NOW ARE WE EVEN?

I'M SORRY I READ YOUR DIARY.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

OH [SIRENS] >> OH, GOD.

WE MAY MEET AGAIN SOMETIME >> SEPTEMBER 15th.

EAR DULIN.

I'M SORRY FOR DOUBTING YOU.

YOU DO BUY GOOD PEOPLE.

WITH LOVE.

>> AS WE SET OUT FOR ITHACA, HOPE YOUR ROAD IS A LONG ONE.

FULL OF ADVENTURE, FULL OF DISCOVERY.

LACE DRA CONANCE, CYCLOPS.

ANGRY POSEODON.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THEM.

YOU'LL NEVER FIND THINGS LIKE THAT ON YOUR WAY AS LONG AS YOU KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS RAISED HIGH, AS LONG AS A RARE EXCITEMENT STIRS YOUR SPIRIT AND YOUR BODY.

LACE DRACONIANS.

CYCLOPS.

WILD POSEODON.

YOU WON'T ENCOUNTER THEM UNLESS YOU BRING THEM ALONG INSIDE YOUR SOUL.

UNLESS YOUR SOUL SETS THEM UP IN FRONT OF YOU.

HOPE YOUR ROAD IS A LONG ONE.

MAY THERE BE MANY SUMMER MORNINGS WHEN WITH WHAT PLEASURE, WHAT JOY YOU ENTER HARBORS YOU ARE SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

YOU MAY STOP AT VENETIAN TRADING STATIONS TO BUY THINGS, MOTHER OF PEARL AND CHORAL, AMBER AND EBONY.

SENSUAL PERFUME OF EVERY KIND.

AS MANY SINCE WALL PERFUMES AS YOU CAN AND YOU MAY VISIT MANY EGYPTIAN CITIES TO LEARN AND GO ON LEARNING FROM THE SCHOLARS.

KEEP ITHACA ALWAYS IN YOUR MIND.

ARRIVING THERE IS WHAT YOU'RE DESTINED FOR BUT DON'T HURRY THE JOURNEY AT ALL.

BETTER IF IT LASTS FOR YEARS SO YOU'RE OLD BY THE TIME YOU REACH THE ISLAND.

WEALTHY WITH ALL YOU HAVE GAINED ON THE WAY.

NOT EXPECTING ITHACA TO MAKE YOU RICH.

IF IT GAVE YOU THE MARVELOUS JOURNEY.

WITHOUT HER YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SET OUT.

SHE HAS NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE YOU NOW IF YOU FIND HER PORE, ITHACA WILL NOT HAVE FOOLED YOU.

WISE AS YOU WILL BECOME SO FULL OF EXPERIENCE, YOU'LL HAVE UNDERSTOOD BY THEN WHAT THESE ITHACAS MEAN.

SON, REMEMBER LIFE IS A GIFT.

CHERISH EACH STEP.

GOODBYE AND REMEMBER, I'M ALWAYS HERE.

GUIDING YOU.

>> AHMED OMAR IS COOKING HIS FAMOUS PHILLY STEAK SANDWICH BUT THIS ISN'T YOUR AVERAGE CHEESE STAKE.

HE GIVES THEM A UNIQUE SOMALI TWIST.

>> I HAD A PHILLY IN OTHER PLACES BUT THIS IS THE BEST PHILLY I HAVE EVER HAD.

>> YOU CAN FIND THESE AT HIS RESTAURANT, THE ONLY SOURCE OF SOMALI CUISINE IN VERMONT.

IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY.

HE WAS BORN IN SOMALIA WHERE HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE FORCED TO FLEE DIEWG TO CIVIL WAR.

>> I LEFT WHEN I WAS A KID BECAUSE OF THE CIVIL WAR.

WHEN THE WAR HAPPENED, ONE OF OUR FAMILY GET KILLED AND WE DECIDED TO GET OUT OF THERE.

IT WAS BAD.

WHEN THE CIVIL WAR HAPPENED PEOPLE WERE COMING TO YOUR HOUSE.

THERE'S NO JOB, NO INCOME.

PEOPLE ARE BREAKING HOUSES STEALING YOUR MONEY.

KILLING YOU.

RAPING WOMEN.

IT WAS BAD.

>> OMAR AND HIS FAMILY FLED TO KENYA THEN CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 2004 WHEN HE WAS 16.

ALONG WITH SOME OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS OMAR WAS PLACED IN VERMONT AND GRADUATED FROM BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL IN 2016.

>> WHEN I CAME HERE MY FAVORITE WAS McDONALD.

'S WOW, THESE PEOPLE LOVE FOOD.

THAT MAKES ME COME.

MY MOM IS A CHEF SO I GOT MOST OF THE IDEAS FROM MY MOM, YOU GOT TO SHOW ME THIS.

I STARTED FALLING IN LOVE WITH T. I FEEL WHEN I CAME HERE, OKAY, THIS CITY NEEDS ME.

THIS CITY NEEDS MY RECIPES.

IT'S ALWAYS ROUGH.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT LOVE.

I LIKE TO COME TO MY CUSTOMER, TALK TO THEM, ASK HOW THEIR DAY IS.

I'M NOT GOING TO PUT MY SANDWICH THERE AND GET MY MONEY LIKE I DON'T KNOW YOU.

NO, WE DON'T DO THAT.

I COOK FOR YOU NICE MEAL, I TALK TO YOU HOW YOU'RE FEELING.

I GRAB YOU A GLASS OF WATER.

YOU'RE TIRED.

>> OMAR SAYS FINDING SUCCESS WAS NO EASY FEAT BUT HIS BACKGROUND PREPARED HIM FOR THE HARDNESS.

>> I KNOW MY FATHER IF HE WAS HERE, I WISH HE WAS HERE, WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN AND CRY?

NO.

YOU GOT TO FIND A WAY.

THERE'S ALWAYS EXITS BUT YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD FOR IT.

NOTHING COMES EASY.

WHEN YOU OPERATE A RESTAURANT IT'S NOT EASY.

IT'S ONE EVER THE HARDEST JOBS IN THE WORLD.

YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE MONEY.

I'M BLESSED.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF TOUGHNESS BUT I'M VERY BLESSED THAT I HAVE AMAZING COMMUNITY GOT MY BACK.

>> IT'S ISN'T JUST THE FOOD THAT BRINGS HUHS CUSTOMERS BACK.

HIS DEDICATION MAKE DINERS FEEL A PART OF HIS FAMILY.

>> IT'S NOT FATTY.

IT'S NOT GREASY.

IN A COUPLE OF HOURS YOU MAY NEED ANOTHER ONE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THIS AMAZING?

YES, THEN I PUT IT ON THE MENU.

>> IN THE QUIET TOWN OF ST. GEORGE, VERMONT FMANAGES ALL OPERATIONS OF HER HOME BASED BUSINESS.

MARION'S SPECIALTY IS FRENCH MACRON, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH MACAROONS.

THE MAIN INGREDIENT IS ALMOND FLOUR WHEN GIVES IT A FLUFFY, SMOOTH TEXTURE.

>> WE HAVE WATER.

WE'RE MALE ITALIAN MERINGUE.

>> FROM RUSSIA SHE WAS 21 WHEN SHE FIRST CAME TO VERMONT THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL WORK PROGRAM.

>> MY DAD ALWAYS PUSHED ME WITH ENGLISH THAT I NEED TO LEARN BETTER.

I WANT TO IMPROVE MY LANGUAGE HERE.

IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK, TO MAKE MONEY AND TO MEET FRIENDS AND TO LEARN ABOUT THE CULTURE TOO.

MY GOAL WAS TO BE ABLE I THINK I WAS WHEN THE FIRST YEAR I CAME IT WAS LIKE AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK IN ENGLISH?

DREAM IN ENGLISH?

YES, I THINK DEFINITELY HAVING FRIENDS, YOU KNOW, AND TELEVISION AND HUSBAND AND ALL THAT HELPED.

>> WITH ALL HER FAMILY IN RUSSIA SHE MADE THE TOUGH DECISION TO STAY IN THE STATES.

>> IT WAS MY SECOND YEAR.

I MET MY HUSBAND.

WITHOUT THAT I MAYBE WILL TRY TO EXTEND MY VISA AND TO SEE IF I CAN TRAVEL.

GO TO SCHOOL HERE.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

WE GOT MARRIED.

BUT YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY WITH THE DECISION I MADE.

>> HER ADJUSTMENT WAS GRADUAL.

>> LIVING IN THE STATES SINCE 2005 SHE'S ADAPTED TO AMERICAN CULTURE, BUT SHE SELDOM GETS TO VISIT HER FAMILY IN RUSSIA.

SHE MISSES HER FAMILY TRADITION SOS SHE KEEPS SOME OF THEM ALIVE AT HOME.

>> WE HAVE THIS ON THE TABLE, LIKE A RUSSIAN TEAPOT.

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE IT IN OUR HOME BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT MY GRANDPA HAD.

HE WOULD ALWAYS SIT AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE AND ANYONE WHO WALKED IN HE WOULDN'T LET THEM GO BECAUSE HE WOULD START POURING TEA FOR THEM.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I MISSED.

>> IT WAS NO EASY FEAT TO START A BAKING BUSINESS.

MIRIAM HAD OTHER THINGS TO FALL BACK ON INCLUDING A DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BUT AS A MOWERS OF THREE SHE WANTED FLEXIBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE SO SHE BECAME AN ENTREPRENEUR AND NAMED HER BUSINESS OF A THE DOLLS RUSSIA IS KNOWN FOR.

>> IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DECIDE THE NAME.

I'M A MOTHER WITH THREE KIDS.

THIS IS MY CREATION.

WE THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE WE'LL THINK OF I HAVE AN IDEA AND WE GO WITH THE IDEA WHERE I DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW.

>> OVER TIME SHE EXPANDED ACATERING FOR OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE AREA INCLUDING BRIO COFFEE WORKS.

CUSTOMERS CAN BUY HER MACRONS AT THE CAFE OR ON HER WEBSITE.

SHE HAS MORE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE AND HOPES TO OPEN A NEW SPACE WITH A BIGGER KITCHEN.

FOR NOW SHE'S CONTINUING HER EXPERIMENTS WITH NEW FLAVORS AND IS WORKING ON COMBINING THE QUALITIES OF VERMONT INTO HER DELICACIES.

>> ON A BUSY STREET IN WINOOSKI, A HAIR SALON OWNED AND FULLY OPERATED BY MELISSA DIN.

>> HAIR CUT?

>> YEP.

>> HERE MELISSA IS GIVING A CLASSIC CLIPPER CUT TO A REGULAR CUSTOMER.

ORIGINALLY FROM VIETNAM, MELISSA WENT THROUGH YEARS OF HARDSHIP BEFORE COMING TO THE U.S. SHE WAS BORN DURING A TIME OF POLITICAL CONFLICT AND FACE ADD HEAVY AMOUNT OF RACISM.

>> WHEN I GROW UP IN VIETNAM IN MY GENERATION, IT WAS THE COUNTRY WAS MESSED UP.

MY DAD IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN, MY MOM VIETNAMESE.

SO WE GOT TWO BIG -- IN VIETNAM.

WE FROM SOUTH AND THE NORTH WIN THE BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR.

SECOND IS MY DAD IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

WHITE AND BLACK ARE THE SAME AS LONG AS YOU'RE AMERICAN BABY YOU GET HARASSED.

>> AT THE TIME VIETNAM WAS NOT WELCOMING TO BIRACIAL CITIZENS AND HER FAMILY DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO GO.

AFTER LEAVING VIETNAM THEY WERE SENT TO A REFUGEE CAMP IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR SIX MONTHS.

THERE THEY WERE SUBJECTED TO LABOR INTENSIVE JOBS SUCH AS CLEANING THE STREETS.

>> GROW UP IN A SMALL TOWN AND SO LOW EDUCATED SO I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE WORLD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT AMERICA IS.

I DON'T KNOW ANY COUNTRY BESIDES L THE TOWN THAT I GREW UP.

>> SHE WOULD MOVE TO ANOTHER TOWN, WINOOSKI, VERMONT.

WITH HELP SHE AND HER FAMILY ARRIVED IN 1992.

SHE WAS JUST 19.

VERMONT WAS NOT HER FIRST CHOICE.

>> FROM DAY ONE I NEVER WANTED TO BE IN VERMONT.

THE COLD.

THE DARKNESS IN THE WINTERTIME.

YOU KNOW, WHERE I GROW UP IT'S SUN AND HOT.

>> ONCE SETTLED TO KEEP RECEIVING AID FROM THE REFUGEE PROGRAM SHE HAD TO FIND A JOB WITHIN SIX WEEKS.

NOT ONLY DID SHE DO THAT SHE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL AND GOT HER COSMETOLOGY LICENSE.

>> WHEN I'M IN THE SCHOOL, IT'S PACKED.

COME UP AND INTRODUCED THEIR PROGRAM.

I LIKE, THAT'S WHAT I WANT.

I WANT TO BE HAIRDRESSER.

>> HOW OLD IS SHE NOW?

>> 13.

>> 13, HUH?

>> HER TRAINING IS GOING WELL BUT HER HEALTH IS GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

>> THE LAST TEN YEARS I COME DOWN WITH LEUKEMIA SO I DON'T THINK I CAN MAKE IT.

SO I PRAY.

I BELIEVE IN GOD AND I PRAY.

IF IT'S WILL LET ME LIVE.

AND -- IF GOD LOVE ME, LET ME SURVIVE.

AT THAT TIME MY DAUGHTER ONLY THREE YEARS OLD TOO.

I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER GROW UP WITHOUT A MOM AND GET HARASSED LIKE I BEEN THROUGH.

IF HE LET ME SURVIVE I WANT TO HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS.

>> MELISSA ACHIEVED JUST THAT.

SHE OPENED GOLDER SCISSORS IN 2017 AND IS THOROUGHLY ENJOYING BEING HER OWN BOSS.

>> I WORK VERY HARD.

I TRY MY BEST.

I WORK HARD SO I GET A LOT OF TROPHIES.

ONE OF MY TROPHIES IS GOLDEN SCISSORS.

OH, I LIKE THAT NAME.

OKAY.

SO I NAMED GOLDEN SCISSORS.

>> HER TRANSITION TO AMERICA WASN'T EASY BUT SHE PERSEVERED AND MADE A LIFE IN VERMONT.

SHE'S EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF EXPANDING HER SPACE.

>> I CANNOT PREDICT THE FUTURE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON TOMORROW.

ENJOY THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW.

>> ON THE CORNER OF EAST ALE LEN STREET AND ABENAKI WAY IN WINOOSKI SITS THIS BAKERY.

INSIDE THE BAKERY KEN AND HIS FAMILY ARE WORKING HARD MIXING DRINKS AND MAKING THEIR SIGNATURE PASTRIES.

>> MY NAME IS KEN AND I AM CURRENTLY WORKING IN MY PARENTS' BAKERY JUST TO HELP MY PARENTS OUT TO MAKE SURE THEIR BUSINESS IS SUCCESSFUL.

>> ORIGINALLY FROM HONG KONG KEN AND HIS FAMILY MOVED INTO THE U.S.

WHEN HE WAS JUST 13.

>> THE BIGGEST REASON FOR IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES WAS THAT MY PARENTS BELIEVED A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR FAMILY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES I WOULD SAY.

ONE THING I LIKE MOST ABOUT VERMONT IS THAT I WOULD SAY PEOPLE ARE MORE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER THAN IT IS OUT OF STATE IN THE BIG CITIES AREA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CUSTOMERS INTERACTION IS ONE OF MY MOST INTERESTING THINGS IN MY JOB AT THE BAKERY.

I DON'T REALLY CONSIDER MY WORK IN THE BAKERY MORE SOMETHING THAT I ENJOY A LOT BECAUSE TRANSITION FROM HONG KONG TO VERMONT WOULD BE THE LANGUAGE.

MY HOME LANGUAGE I SPEAK IN CANTONESE.

I WAS NOT SURE THAT IMMIGRATION REALLY MEANS CHANGING YOUR ENTIRE LIFE BY MOVING TO SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHERE YOU WERE BORN.

>> IN 2019, KEN'S FAMILY OPENED THE BAKERY.

ALTHOUGH THEY DIDN'T HAVE EXPERIENCE RUNNING A BAKERY THEY WERE INSPIRED BY THE ONES THEY LOVED IN HONG KONG.

>> BEFORE THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE EMIGRATING TO THE UNITED STATES MY PARENTS TOOK SOME CLASSES IN BAKING AND THEY LEARNED HOW TO BAKE ASIAN STYLE CAKES, WHICH ARE USUALLY LESS SWEETER SIDE, MORE USUALLY MADE WITH WHIPPED CREAM RATHER THAN LIKE HEAVY BUTTER CREAM.

OTHER TYPE OF BAKING IS NOT AS COMMON IN HERE IN THE AREA SO WE WANTED TO BRING IN SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND SOMETHING MORE DIVERSE HERE.

MY PARENTS WEREN'T 100% ENGLISH SPEAKER.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF ENGLISH BACKGROUND IN HONG KONG AND THEY CAME HERE HAVING TO LEARNING CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH.

I WOULD USUALLY BE THE PERSON THAT DEALS WITH COMMUNICATION.

THIS IS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE CUSTOMERS ARE UNDERSTANDING THINGS WELL.

>> WHEN NOT WORKING AT THE BAKERY KEN IS FINISHING COLLEGE AS A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT.

>> SO FAR I DO NOT HAVE ANY PLANS ON WHAT'S AFTER COLLEGE.

I WOULD SAY THAT I AM VERY INTERESTED IN WORKING LOCALLY.

IT CAN BE WORKING WITH MY PARENTS AT THE BAKERY WHICH I AM TOTALLY FINE WITH.

I ENJOY WORKING HERE BECAUSE I CAN GET MORE CHANCES TO KNOW MORE PEOPLE AND TO SEE CUSTOMERS DAY-TO-DAY.

>> DESPITE A HECTIC BALANCE BETWEEN WORK, SCHOOL AND PERSONAL TIME HE MAINTAINS A POSITIVE OUTLOOK.

>> I'D PROUD OF MYSELF AND MY PARENTS AS WELL.

I KNOW MY PARENTS ARE A PAIR OF REALLY HARD WORKERS.

I WOULD SAY THEY ARE -- THEY MADE 100 POINTS ON BEING GOOD PARENTS.

>> HE'S GLAD THEY BROUGHT HIM TO VERMONT.

BUT HIS PATH FORWARD IS UNCERTAIN.

HE DOES NOT KNOW IF HE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HIS PARENTS AND BE THEIR INTERPRETER OR PLOT OUT ANOTHER DIRECTION.

>> THAT WILL BE $10.48 TODAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> VERMONT IS NOT LIKE THAT IF THEY DON'T KNOW YOU, HOW YOU DOING?

PEOPLE RESPECT EACH OTHER.

MY DREAM, I HAVE A VISION, I'M SURE I BELIEVE MY DREAMS.

THEY ALWAYS COME TRUE.

>> MY DREAM IS TO BE ABLE TO GO TO A BIGGER PRODUCTION WHERE I HAVE A BIGGER TEAM AND WE CAN MY DREAM IS TO GET BIGGER.

TO LET OTHER STATES TO KNOW ABOUT THE BAKERY.

>> FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS, THE LEUKEMIA I RESPECTED.

THE WEATHER, THE PEOPLE, IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME ANY MORE.

LONGER I LIVE THE LONGER I GET UP AND NOT IN THE HOSPITAL BED I'M HAPPY.

>> I ENJOY DOING WHAT I'M DOING AT THE BAKERY.

GETTING TO KNOW CUSTOMERS AND THEY USUALLY SHOW SUPPORT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M -- I WOULD PROBABLY NOT SEE IF THEY WERE ONLY TREATING US AS CUSTOMER BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP >> I THINK MY EXPERIENCE NOT VERY DIFFERENT FROM MOST JOURNALISTS PRACTICING THE LAST 32 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN HORRENDOUS DOING OUR JOB.

>> PRACTICING JOURNALISM WHEN THE FPRC, APRC GOVERNMENT VERY DIFFICULT.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TOLD US WE'RE OUT TO GET HIM.

BECAUSE OF PAST HAPPENINGS GENERALLY FELT THIS GOVERNMENT WAS DEFINITELY NOT FRIENDLY.

WOULD WANT TO KILL THEM.

IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT BALANCING GAME.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY OBSTACLES, LEGAL, ECONOMIC, BUT ALSO TOLL SOME EXTENT SOCIAL.

>> MOST -- WE'RE HERE DURING THE FIRST REPUBLIC.

EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMED TO BE A% DEMOCRACY THEY DIDN'T DO ANY COMPREHENSIVE REFORM OF LAWS TO REFLECT DEMOCRACY THAT PEOPLE SAY IT WAS.

WAS.

BUT IT BECAME EVEN MORE TERRIBLE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT STARTED AMENDING LAWS, BROADENING THE DEFINITIONS, EXPANDING ANYTHING THAT CAN BE EXPANDED AND EVEN COMING UP WITH STIFFER DEMANDS AND PROSECUTING PEOPLE.

>> WE HAVE TO SENSOR WHAT WE'RE SAYING OR WRITING.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS IT HAS TO BE THE PRESIDENT IS THE NICEST MAN IN GAMBIA OR THE BEST PERSON SINCE SLICED BREAD.

>> YOU HAVE FREEDOM BEFORE EXPRESSION, NOT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.

>> THEY SAID THAT AS IT APPLIES TO THE PRESIDENT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN THE SENSE WHEN YOU SAY ANYTHING AGAINST THE PERSON OF THE PRESIDENT THEY CAN COME AFTER YOU.

WHEN YOU SAY ANYTHING BAD GOVERNMENT NO ONE CAN COME AFTER YOU.

THEY APPLIED IN LAW WHAT THEY CALL A TEST.

CENSORING THE TRUTH.

THEY SAY, OKAY, NOTHING BAD ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU SAY IT ABOUT THE PRESIDENT THERE MIGHT BE PROBLEMS.

>> WE ARE SUBJECTED TO ILLEGAL DETENTION, SECRET ARREST AND INTIMIDATION.

REMEMBER THE GAMBIA LAW SAYS THAT THEY ACCUSE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

BUT THEN YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT.

>> I WAS ARRESTED MANY TIMES.

THE FIRST WAS IN 1995 WHEN I WROTE A STORY CALLED REVOLT.

SO AT THAT TIME THE MILITARY TOOK OVER AND DURING THAT I MUST DISCLOSE MY SOURCE OR KILL YOU.

>> I WAS ARRESTED IN THIS COUNTRY.

I WAS TAKEN TO THE NOTORIOUS -- FOR ALMOST 22 DAYS FOR SIMPLY EXPRESSING MY VIEWS OR EXERCISING MY JOURNALISTIC CAREER.

>> A LOT OF JOURNALISTS INCLUDING MYSELF HAD TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

ANYONE SEND ME A TEXT MESSAGE COULD BE ARRESTED.

THE GOVERNMENT THOUGHT HE WAS GIVING ME INFORMATION WHICH NEVER HAPPENED.

>> WE'RE SCARED TO WRITE WHAT IS RIGHT.

SO THIS IS THE REASON WHY I DECIDED TO LEAVE FOR THE UC FOR SAFETY.

>> HE WAS MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND.

WE DID EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

THE FIRST JEW IN AFRICA.

GOOD MORNING MR. PRESIDENT.

HE USED TO GIVE HIM IDEAS.

ON THE 14th OF DECEMBER, TWO DAYS BEFORE HE WAS KILLED, THE DRACONIAN LAWS WERE ENACTED.

>> HE REPRESENTED THE PEOPLE.

HE REPRESENTED THE VOICELESS.

HE REPRESENTED GRAM.

HE WAS TRYING TO ALERT SOMEBODY ABUSING GAMBIA.

>> IF HE WAS KILLED THE PAPER WOULD CLOSE.

>> THEY ACCUSED ME OF OTHER VIOLATIONS.

>> BECAUSE OF HIS DEATH, I HAD TO SACRIFICE MY WHOLE LIFE TO START FIGHTING FOR HIM.

THAT'S WHAT I DID.

I WENT TO FRANCE AND I STAYED FIVE YEARS.

FIVE YEARS THAT I RECEIVED A LOT AND ALSO A LOT OF ORGANIZATION LIKE AMNESTY.

WE MANAGED TO DO A LOT OF SENSITIZATION ABOUT GAMBIA, EXPOSING THE REGIME, HOW BRUTAL IT WAS TO THE CITIZENRY ITSELF AND THE FACT THAT GAMBIA IS BEING MORE ISOLATED FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD.

>> THEY SAY TO ME WHY RUN AWAY?

I BELIEVE DEMOCRATS GOOD GOVERNANCE.

I NEED TO LEAVE THIS PROVINCE.

>> FORTUNATELY THERE'S A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT.

SINCE TWO YEARS AGO WE ARE ABLE TO SPEAK OUR MIND.

WE DON'T REALLY HAVE NO CENSORSHIP NOW UNLESS PEOPLE WANT TO CENSURE THEMSELVES TO BE IN THE BOOK OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> ACTUALLY PEOPLE ARE NOW FREE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS COME TO STAY.

NO GOVERNMENT CAN ACTUALLY TAKE US BACK TO THOSE DAYS.

>> WHEN I CAME BACK I WAS THE SAME TOPIC HAPPENED TO ME.

NOW I WANT PEOPLE'S NEEDS TO BE AWARE.

AN UNINFORMED SOCIETY IS ALWAYS AN ACTIVE SOCIETY.

>> A LACK OF THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO DO THE JOB.

LIKE ANY PROFESSION YOU NEED PROFESSIONALS TO DO IT.

GOOD PEOPLE.

WITHOUT THE GOOD PEOPLE, WITHOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTHUSED ENOUGH YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY GOOD JOURNALISM EVEN IF YOU HAVE FREE SPACE TO OPERATE WITHIN.

>> WHEN AT THAT LEVEL YOU HAVE THE SMART BRAINS MAKING SMART DECISIONS WANTING TO BECOME JOURNALISTS.

THERE'S SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

WAS BECAUSE THE SPACE WAS CONSTRICTED.

EVEN THEIR PARENTS WERE NOT ENCOURAGING THEM TO COME TO JOURNALISM.

NOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS FREE WE WILL STILL HAVE A LOT OF SMART PEOPLE JOINING JOURNALISM.

YOU WILL STILL HAVE A LOT OF INVESTMENT IN JOURNALISM.

WITH INVESTMENT THE STANDARDS WILL GO UP.

WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT IN THE PAST.

IN THE PAST YOU COULDN'T EVEN INVEST IN THE MEDIA BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS.

NOW WE HAVE PEOPLE INVESTING IN THE MEDIA.

THAT'S QUITE AMAZING.

>> STRONG INSTITUTIONS, EDUCATED ELECTORATE.

INFORMED ELECTORATE.

WE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THAT?

>> WE ARE TRAINING OUR JOURNALISTS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT.

>> THIS NEW GAMBIA I THINK DIFFERENCE PEOPLE CAN BE MORE INFORMED AND AT THE SAME TIME EDUCATED AND ALSO SENSITIZED.

ALL THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO A NEW START LIKE DEMOCRAT, BRING BE PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> SOME OF US WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIVE THROUGH THESE HORRIFIC EXPERIENCES ARE ARE LIVING WITH IT.

TESTIMONY OF PERSEVERANCE THAT WE WENT THROUGH AS JOURNALISTS IN GAMBIA.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO USE THE PROFESSION IN A POSITIVE WAY TO KIND OF MAKE SURE WE VERIFY INFORMATION AND TAKE THAT INFORMATION OUT DEPENDING ON HOW IT APPEARS.

WE WOULD NEVER TRY TO DO THAT OR WE WOULD DO OUR BEST.

>> WHAT IS CORRUPTION?

ONCE THEY KNOW, THAT NOW WE KNOW THE PROBLEM AND ONCE YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM THEN YOU CAN START TO LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS.

>> NOT TO SAY THAT WE ARE WE SHOULD WRITE ANYTHING WE WANT TO.

WE BE SHOULD BE CREDIBLE.

WE ARE A SOURCE OF INFORMATION SO WE SHOULD BE RELIABLE.

>> I FEEL THERE WILL BE SOME HEALTHY COMPETITION AND OUT OF THAT COMPETITION THE BEST WILL EMERGE AND WE MAY SEE THE BEST WE HAVE EVER SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY SINCE WE ATTAINED INDEPENDENCE.

>> MORE NEWSPAPERS, MORE TELEVISION, MORE RADIOS AND MORE JOURNALISTS.

>> I'M GLAD WE'RE BACK.

WE'RE FREE.

>> 1RE6R789 PUBLIC, PARTNERING WITH LOCAL FILMMAKERS TO BRING YOU STORIES MADE HERE.

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