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Selamawi's father was born in Seraye, Eritrea.
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His father died shortly after his birth.
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After his father's death and his mother grew sick, he had no choice but to move to a monastery, where he lived with Coptic Christian monks.
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At age nine, he left the monastery to reside with relatives.
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Father - Haileab
Mother - Tsege
Half Sister - Mulu
Older Brother - Tewolde
Younger Sister - Mehret
Younger Brother - Hntsa (Born in America) -
The family found safety in Sudanese refugee camp in Umsagata. They lived there for three years until they fled to the United States in 1983.
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This was also when he took some brutal beatings from the kindergartner teachers.
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After passing the immigration tests, they were eager to leave. But, Selamawi's half sister, Mulu, showed up unexpectedly so they stayed stayed behind to wait for her.
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After years of dreaming about this paradise called "Amerikha," they finally made it!
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Selamawi's youngest brother was conceived in Sudan but born in America.
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America's version of Hoyo Hoyo!
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The Civil War of Selamawi's Homelands started in 1961 and finally ended in 1991.
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Selamawi loses his oldest brother and best friend, due to a drunk driver.
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After many years of fighting, Eritrea finally became an independent nation.
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His commitment and dedication allowed him to get accepted to one of the top colleges.
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During Selamawi's junior year in college, his father's life was taken by a drunk driver.
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Selamawi fulfills his parents dream of graduating from one of the top colleges.