for Micheline Musa Salama
by GVP Form 1 Blandine, Florence, Eh kpaw, Georgette, Hadya, Khee Lar, Merline, Mlasi, Moravie, Naima, Peggy, Raghad, Suzana, Shukrani
w/ Elise Witt, Linda Parisi, Cindy Stark Reid, Julie Martin, Marianne Dhillon
© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP
I USED TO BE A GIRL JUST LIKE YOU
I used to be a girl just like you.
I was born in Congo.
My dad is from the eastern part.
My mom is from Rwanda.
At home we speak English and French,
And so our children won’t forget
We also speak my husband’s language,
Kinyarwanda
When I call my mom, we speak Swahili
With my best friend, we speak Lingala
With my brother, we speak French (Nous parlons français)
I use all of my languages every day.
It’s not easy understanding American culture.
Words get used in different ways.
People need to communicate
And sometimes they need help
A translator is like a bridge
Between newcomers and American culture.
I help both sides understand each other.
Human beings, we all need help.
I am the mother of 2 beautiful girls
The little one is good in French,
The older one, she loves her father’s language
Kinyarwanda
When my kids don’t need me anymore,
I want to go to school and study again.
I want to be a Community Organizer
For families and kids with Special Needs
Here’s how to be successful:
First you have to think about where you want to go
Then you have to plan how to get there
Then you have to walk and work toward your goal
Take it one step at a time
There will be bumps and problems on the way
And your goal won’t come and find you
You have to work hard to get to your goal
But don’t let anything stop you !
“I Used To Be A Girl Just Like You” sung by GVP Form 1: 2018-2019
“I Used To Be A Girl Just Like You” demo sung by Elise Witt