Veronika Levytska  and Ian Levytsky  grew up in Ukraine but dreamed of an easier life – away from the shadow of Russia – for themselves and their loved ones. In 2018, after years of waiting, they found freedom and opportunity here in the U.S. on the East Coast shores of a Connecticut town. But their loved ones remain in harms way. How do they hold both in their hands? Their own happiness and their desire for their family members to enjoy the same? Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Fran Silverman. Our audio editing was done by Greg ..read more

As a young woman growing up in a conservative society, Safia Ferozi overcame intense expectations and restrictions placed on women to become Afghanistan’s second female Air Force pilot. Before her country and her life were turned upside down, she was a trailblazing commander, leading an Air Force squadron of 200. Safia was forced to flee when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Now she is one of 250 Afghan pilots grounded in the U.S., no longer able to fly. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Elayna Yussen, with audio editing by Gregg Palm ..read more

Introducing, The Immigrant Story Live, our new series that brings you voices from the stage. In 2019, the Immigrant Story began hosting live storytelling events in the Portland, Oregon area, bringing together musicians and storytellers from around the world for evenings of celebration and reflection. Every year, The Immigrant Story produces 2 new live events, and in the four years since its launch, has hosted 10 shows with 26 storytellers from 22 different countries. In our new series, we present selections from these events in themed, 45-minute episodes.  In our first episode, you’ll hea ..read more

Raised in Yemen amidst intense civil turmoil, Ghassan bin Hammam made a life-changing decision to leave for the United States to start a new life with his family. Believing he had left behind the destruction and instability of Yemen, he was unaware that the very conflict he fled would indefinitely separate him from his new home. This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more episodes in the series, please visit our website.  This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez and with audio editing and post production by Gregg Palmer. The or ..read more

When Olive Bukuru was six months old her and her family fled their home country of Burundi in search of a safe life. They ended up in a refugee camp in Tanzania where Olive fell in love with learning and became determined to pursue her education, something that was not encouraged for girls in the area. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Emily Ker with audio editing and post production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer Sankar Raman in March 2023.  Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Ch ..read more

Panelists explored their experiences as Asian American women, offering personal reflections  as well as highlighting current xenophobia and intolerance against Asian Americans in Oregon and across the United States. Each of the speakers is leading community efforts to empower diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities statewide. This episode was arranged in conjunction with the exhibition, I Am An American, that was on view at the Oregon Historical Society.   Esteemed panelists include:   Dr. Jane Vogel Mantiri is a retired psychologist who specialized in tra ..read more

Ahmad Fanoos spent the first 57 years of his life searching for the freedom to play music.  In Afghanistan, where singing and playing music were banned under the Taliban, Ahmad could not safely pursue his passion. Over time, music led him and his family across careers and borders.  Between Taliban regimes, Ahmad became a guest star and judge for one of Afghanistan’s most popular TV music shows. He also inspired his own children to pursue music professionally — including his son Elham, who recently completed his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.  ..read more

Franke Tokem Powell was born in Central Africa, in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Growing up in the 90’s, Franke did not feel that he’d ever be  accepted for who he was. At the age of 18, after years of repressing his queer identity and in the face of an unexpected loss, he was ready to leave home in search of community and acceptance. This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez and with audio editing and post production by Todd Baize. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer, Sankar Raman, in March of 2022. Many thanks to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Orego ..read more

Janice Okamoto was just a baby, only a few months old, when she was sent to Minidoka with her family. Her father was a musician, and like all the he was permitted to bring only what he could carry in two suitcases. This meant leaving behind everything in their house, including his beloved musical instruments. Janice’s father could not bear the thought of living without music, so he brought a harmonica in his pocket. After three years, the Okamoto family was released from the camp in northern Idaho. They were given a train ticket to Portland, and $20. Back in what had been their home city, the ..read more

Vasyl Matsyuk, a Yale Divinity student, grew up in the fully Democratic Ukraine only to see it ravaged by a war with Russia that began a year ago in February.  The Russian conflict has long roots. Under the previous Soviet regime before Ukraine became a sovereign nation, Vasyl’s parents and grandparents had endured years of religious discrimination and hardship as Protestants. Now, Vasyl is grappling with how his religious studies inform the harsh realities facing relatives and friends are facing as they defend themselves against bombs and missiles in a country he only knew as peaceful an ..read more