“My existence is proof that I am a product of my mother’s sacrifice,” said Asha Wasuge.
Wasuge, who is studying for a Master’s in Public Policy degree at the Schar School, said she is applying her academic achievements to her passion “to serve my country, create change, and give a voice to people who are often too scared to speak up. America is the only home I know. It gave my family hope, security, and freedom. I hope to fight for people who deserve a second chance at life.”
That passion will be portrayed in a performance called, “One Woman Show: Untold Stories of Immigrant Families,” that Wasuge will present Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the historic All Souls Church in Washington, D.C.
"Throughout history, stories have always been a powerful instrument of political and social change, and Asha has a proud, strong voice,” said Professor Justin Gest. “Her story will change and broaden our minds."
The show, Wasuge said, was “crafted to represent a collective storyline of my family, who had to flee civil war in Somalia and take a risky and dangerous journey to the U.S. The show highlights the struggle the people in my life had to go through for us to have a better life—a life without war, violence, and poverty.”
And it begins with her mother.
“My mother looked death in the eye and did not flinch. The bullets didn’t leave a trace, but she still finds herself running,” Wasuge said. “My mother taught me everything I need to know about resilience. I have her eyes. The eyes that hide trauma. The eyes that seek justice. But the gift I hold dearly is learning the language of courage from my mother. So, I fight without hesitation for those whose voices have been beaten, robbed, and erased.”
Public policy and the desire to “bridge the gap between policymakers and the people who are victims of these laws and policies,” she said, drives the narrative.
“With the current political climate, it is important to understand the human element in these policy decisions. Most people dismiss immigrants without understanding the danger they are fleeing. Understanding and bringing empathy, while shedding light on people's lived experiences, will help shape future policy decisions.
“This play will strive to bring that awareness and understanding of these particular people's lived experiences.”