Fatima's letting her chances go by

Fatima is a woman who graduated from the English as a Second Language program where I work. She is originally from Morocco where she trained as a lawyer and worked with a women's group. We communicate in English because I don't speak either French or Arabic. In spite of this, she insists that she doesn't speak good English and that she has to continue going to school. We got to know each other because she participated in a training program that I set up on workers' rights. She completed the training and has volunteered her time to help people who are being cheated out of their wages.

About a month ago, Fatima took a job as a babysitter with a Moroccan family that wanted someone who could speak French with their children. To say that Fatima is over-qualified for this job (as are many nannys) would be an understatement.

Yesterday, she came into my office to talk because her new job has changed her schedule, and she is no longer regularly available to volunteer. When she came in, she told me that she was sick of the job and that she wouldn't work as a babysitter again. But she has a one-year contract to fulfill, and that is what she is planning on doing -- while she looks for another English program.

Unlike many people, Fatima has all of her immigration papers, so in many senses, the world is her oyster. Yet she is not seeing the pearl in front of her, and so she isn't reaching for it. I offered to put her in touch with someone I know who teaches law at the CUNY Law school, but she demurred. Hoping that she would be more comfortable speaking with another Arab (who would encourage her, as I am, to use her talents), I gave her the number for an Arab community organization here in New York. I'm afraid, though, that she won't.

When Fatima left, my colleague, Rachid, who is also Moroccan, said that it is the culture that is keeping her down, and she has to realize that. He said that the opportunities are passing her by. He is right, and it's frustrating. I would really like to help Fatima get a better job and use her skills, but she is afraid to try although she already has everything that she needs. She just doesn't believe it.