Meet Rami al Saidam
Rami is one of the students here at Hamilton Hill Food Processors. His life story may be unique, but his struggle to create a better life for himself and give his children a better future is universal.
Rami was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq. He worked as a pastry chef with his brother in a local restaurant. After the war began, Rami continued to work in the restaurant but worried about the safety of his family. Bombs and bullets always worried him but what scared him the most were insurgents.
5 years ago Rami’s life changed forever. In the same month both his uncle and cousin were both murdered by insurgents. Within a few weeks these same people came for Rami.
Rami, typically arrived early for work but one day he was 30 minutes late. Those 30 minutes saved his life. While crossing the street his boss motioned through the window for Rami to hide. Little did Rami know, insurgent assassins were waiting inside. Their plan was simple; they were there to kill him.
Rami fearing for the safety of his wife and children ran home and hid. Within days he packed a few precious family possessions and moved across the county to a refugee camp. He and his family would spend the next 4 years living in a tent.
Rami then moved to America in September 2010 with the help of the United Nations, Catholic Charities and a local church in Scotia. Rami says, “When I came to America I spoke no English. I did not know about working or my future, but I did know my family was safe.”
His dream has always been to have freedom, to go wherever he wanted to go and provide a safe future for his kids. “I love America; here you can be anything you want to.”
Rami enrolled in the Hamilton Hill Food Processors training program in April of 2010. When he arrived here he spoke a little English but knew nothing about American food. He had never heard of pancakes.
During his time here Rami worked hard to develop his culinary skills and practiced his English. He is now about to graduate and has received a job offer from Union College in the Dining Services Department.
“I was saved when I came to America. Now with help from Hamilton Hill Food Processors I have a great future. I learned to cook American food, and the importance about food safety. I now have gotten a job because of Hunger Action Network. This makes me and my family very happy. I am thankful for this chance. “
With your help we can transform lives just like Rami’s. Every one of our students here wants the same thing; better lives for themselves and their families.