Hi – My name is Hasan.  I came to the USA from Myanmar in 2008. I was 12 years old. When I arrived in Vermont, I didn’t know how to speak English. I learned it at Winooski High School.

At my high school, I learned about Champlain Community Services and Way2Work. They helped me to find a job. Right now, I work at a hotel. I work from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., sometimes later. I clean the lobby and tables. I also clean the pool area, outside areas, and sometimes I help do the laundry.

I am telling you this because I want to share about a life of never giving up.

Working in the community means to me that people support me and I support them. For example, my co-workers tell me step-by-step how to do parts of my job. Also, sometimes I help them when they are too busy.

I am a bridge between people who I work with and my family. I act as a diplomat so they understand each other easier. I interact with people in my job by helping my co-workers and sharing stories with the hotel’s guests. In my job, I meet lots of people from different countries and cultures.

Now that I have my job I am a different person. For example, I am now interested in new skills. I am also now Secretary of the Self-advocacy group Champlain Voices. I want to live independently, so I can live life my way.