Could you acquaint yourself for the readers of shabia.org?
My name is Haiat Iman. I was born and raised in Canada. I am a Political Science graduate from the University of Toronto. I came to Eritrea to intern for the projects department at the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW). I am also volunteer for two other organizations. I assist Asmara Teachers Training Institute’s English department, and the Foreign Affairs department at the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS). On my spare time, I tutor French to students of the Alliance Français.
Is this your first time to come to Eritrea?
No, this is my second time coming to Eritrea. I have been here once before in 2001 for vacation with my friends. This time I came to do part of my national service. I did not complete the military training portion, although I visited Sawa last July when I participated in the 3rd Eri-Youth festival. That was quite an experience.
What is Eritrea to you?
Eritrea to me is 125,000 square kilometers full of brilliant minds, natural resources, beautiful landscapes and untapped potential. Eritrea is a culmination of cultures and traditions that originated from centuries of exposure to varied ‘visiting’ civilizations. We have 9 ethnic groups, 10 languages, 2 main religions and all coexist in peace. That is definitely something to be proud of.
Why did you decide to do your national service?
I decided to do my national service for several reasons. I have always wanted to know what it was like to live in a country I claim citizenship to. I wanted to learn more about, and contribute to my country. So, I thought what better way to do so than to do my national service. I do not regret my decision at all. I am very grateful for all my experiences here.
In this information era, nationalism seems to be fading away. As a young Eritrean, how did your nationalism remain strong?
I do not believe that nationalism is fading. If anything, I think that it is intensifying. Young Eritreans today are finding creative ways to express their sense of nationalism and the information mediums such as the internet allows them to do so. There are several online forums where Eritreans may discuss all sorts of issues (i.e. their identity, Eritrean as well as global politics, etc…really any topic under the sun). I think that this is a great way to ensure that Eritreans, especially young ones, connect. It is especially handy for those that live in towns or cities that have few, if any, Eritreans. It is a way for them to find like-minded Eritreans, to stimulate intellectual or other conversations with other young Eritreans, and assist those in any form of need. For instance, you can get support for your political campaigns, academic assignments, fundraising projects, finding employment. You can even get moral support and any kind of advice from other Eritreans that have had similar experiences. These forums have been very helpful for many that subscribe to them.
Eritreans also come together by forming school clubs, professional associations, and participating in sports or other activities. So this era of information has not caused nationalism to fade, it just changed the dynamics of it.
Can you briefly describe your experience in Eritrea?
My experience here in Eritrea is more than anything I expected it to be. I expected the worst because that is all you hear abroad. You hear only the negative and what you hear is usually exaggerated. So having prepared myself for the worst, I found living here not challenging at all. I overcame all that everyone said I would not be able to handle, the poverty and all that comes with it. I also came at a time when things were heating up with our dear neighbor Djibouti. People back home were worried that I might not be able to handle the way of life here because it is so different from my sheltered life in Canada. Despite the differences in culture and way of life, I really enjoyed my time here. I learned a lot about life, my culture, my country and my family. My Tigrinya has improved. I saw many great projects geared toward development that are underway in the country. I taught a lot and learned a lot. I could not have asked for a more rewarding experience.
Do you think that young Eritreans living in the Diaspora play a role in rebuilding Eritrea?
Definitely! I do believe that young Eritreans in the Diaspora play their part in rebuilding Eritrea. Young Eritreans are contributing in one way or another. They participate in YPFDJ conferences; they fundraise for specific causes; they hold workshops/ seminars for their non-Eritrean colleagues and invite them to help; they come to Eritrea like myself and volunteer; they come to Eritrea to complete their Masters Thesis; they chose the Eritrean community in the Diaspora as their topic for their academic papers; etc… All these translate into more exposure to and for the country; it is new discoveries, and new ideas from people that come from different walks of life.
What challenges do you think Eritrean youth living in the Diaspora face?
I guess there isn’t enough out there to enable them come together. For those that are of my age there is a lot out there for us (Eritrean restaurants, Eritrean bars, Eritrean clubs, Eritrean lounges, Eritrean professional associations, etc…) For the really young however, I don’t believe that there is enough out there for them. Some cities are doing really well for the younger ones, but many are neglecting them. When I was young, we always spent our Saturdays and Sundays with other members of the Eritrean community. On Saturday mornings, we had Tigrinya lessons. Occasionally, in the afternoons we had a picnic or in the evening a party (guaila). On Sundays, our parents would enroll us in swimming lessons in the morning. In the afternoons, we were spectators to our parents’ soccer and volleyball tournaments. I think growing up in such an environment is where my sense of nationalism originated.
The thing is I believe that people will always have a longing or a desire to be around other Eritreans, even if they had very limited exposure to them from an earlier age. It is something in our nature, as humans, to want to be around others like yourself, to know and understand who you are. For some, this desire comes a lot later in life, especially those that have limited exposure to their culture and people. There needs to be more activities or institutions out there with the sole task of inspiring this desire in the young. It is especially important that they learn their language. Most of us abroad only speak the language of the country in which we live in. In my case, it is English and French. Tigrinya is rarely used at home. It is not something any of us are proud of but it happens to be our reality. We do not know much about our culture, country and its history. For this reason alone, many feel discouraged to come to Eritrea. They have no way of communicating with or understanding their families that live here. I basically suggest more Eritrean youth friendly outlets/institutions such as daycares, art classes (performative or other), sports clubs, academic clubs, debating societies, etc…really any hobbies that the young may have that can help them develop as individuals but also as Eritrean.
What message do you have for the youth living in the Diaspora?
My message would be, if it is within your means to come do your national service, definitely come do it. You will not regret it. I do not know anyone that has. If you cannot, you can contribute to the rebuilding of this nation in many other capacities. Play your part. After all, it is your country.
M. Negash
