Born in Asmara, Eritrea, Yemane Berhe arrived in Washington, D.C., as a refugee. He spoke no English, but he was able to earn money helping his sister in a restaurant. He also drove a taxi, though language often was a problem.
When Yemane came to Seattle for a job that didn’t pan out, he ended up homeless for six months. Finally, though, he was able to share an apartment with another man from Eritrea.
“He’s blind. I help him to cook, do the laundry.”