When Bill Clinton Hadam's refugee family was approved for resettlement in the U.S., the boy's parents faced a "Sophie's Choice" dilemma: him or his sister. After escaping slaughter in Congo and Rwanda, the family waited in a Tanzanian camp for nearly a decade. Rape was common there, and Bill's teen sister Neema was a victim. Afterward, she ran away.
Saying goodbye to Neema's brothers
Published August 15, 2009
Mary Wiltenburg, for the Pulitzer Center
Dear Bill and Igey,
When we first met, I wondered if you would grow up to read these stories. Your teachers were worried about you learning to read, and neither of you had really seen the Internet, so it seemed like it would be a long time before that happened.
But this year, you surprised everyone. Suddenly, your parents weren't the only ones who realized how smart and funny you are. Your teachers could see it. Your friends could see it. People following these stories saw it and cared about you from across the world. And you boys not only started reading – you started going online, then on friends' Facebook pages. I know now that you will see all of this much sooner than I imagined.
So as this project ends today, I want to tell you...
The sister and nephew of Tanzanian refugee Bill Clinton Hadam, whose family resettled in America, could soon be reunited pending DNA tests and government screenings and fees.
Refugee Bill Clinton Hadam finds a comfort zone in elite Olympic training. And his family now includes its first US citizens – newborn twins.
Gateways
Grantee
Mary Wiltenburg is a Baltimore-based reporter focused on refugee issues. For a decade, she has contributed to publications and programs including This American Life, The Boston Globe...
