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Santosh, tika, aaiti, sandip and mani gurung

Having flown directly from Nepal via Europe, Mani and Aaiti Gurung together with sons Santosh and Sandip as well as daughter Tika, arrived at Lambert International Airport at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2014. They were met by four carloads of near relatives together with an International Institute worker who transported them to elder brother Harka Gurung’s home on Montana St. in south St. Louis. Here they were to stay for almost four weeks, thereby increasing the number of residents in Harka’s two-bedroom apartment to 12.

Mani and Aaiti both confessed to mixed emotions as their plane approached St. Louis. They were joyful at the prospect of being reunited with long separated family members, and at the same time fearful about living in a country where, among other things, they didn’t know the language. As they approached the baggage claim area, they were met by family members with what can only be described as total jubilation. Aside from family reunification, consideration for their children’s future sustained them through their uncertain journey. Both Mani and Aaiti knew their children would have far better opportunities in this country than in Nepal.

Aaiti has many family members in St. Louis including three brothers, four sisters-in-law, eight nephews, four nieces, and one grandniece. Upon arrival, their greatest immediate need was a place to stay. Pre-arrival attempts by family members to find a suitable apartment had been unsuccessful, hence the need to say with Harka’s family. Four weeks later they relocated to another relative’s flat. Less than a week thereafter they moved to their current residence, the first of their very own.

Mani and Aaiti will be quick to tell you that worship at Ascension Lutheran Church, primarily through New Life Fellowship which meets both at Ascension and the Peace Center, definitely counts as part of their family reunification experience. These have been joyful moments for the entire extended Gurung family, most of whom have become, or are in the process of becoming, members of Ascension.

When asked, they will also be quick to tell you that the church (Ascension Lutheran) and the International Institute have been the most helpful to them. Their greatest need at the moment is to learn English and “to get a simple job.” Since their arrival, CFNA has provided them with a welcome gift, aided them with their Health and Wellness screening and enrolled their children in the After School Tutoring Program at the Peace Center.

Should anyone know of a job opportunity, please be in touch with Gagan Gurung at 314-708-9554 or Richard Leigh at 314-315-7084.

By: Gagan Gurung with Richard Leigh