Muna’s journey from a struggling babysitter to a successful business owner highlights the resilience of immigrants and the vital role they play in American society.
Muna is one of many Somalis who have sought refuge in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) since the outbreak of civil war in Somalia in 1991. This conflict has claimed the lives of as many as 1 million people, forcing countless others to flee their homeland, often ending up in refugee camps for years.
Arriving in San Diego in 1999 with her 6-month-old baby, Muna faced the daunting challenge of starting anew in a foreign land. With no connections and limited resources, she knocked on doors, asking if anyone needed a babysitter. Over the next four years, she worked in 20 different households as a nanny and housekeeper, sometimes sleeping on the floor. Despite the hardships, Muna persevered, driven by the desire to provide a better life for her family.
“Everything is hard,” Muna reflected. “Nothing is easy to become an American and get your papers.” Her experience is a testament to the resilience and determination often seen among immigrants, particularly women who frequently serve as caretakers for American families.
During her initial years in the United States, Muna earned a starting wage of $6.45 per hour. She also faced challenges at work, including instances of her daughter being mistreated by children in the households where she worked. “I didn’t mind—but when they started hitting my daughter, it was too much,” she recalled. “Every house had kids, and the boys, some of them, would hit.”
Despite these difficulties, Muna managed to carve out time for herself, taking a job at a nearby store. Through hard work and determination, she saved enough money to rent an apartment and transitioned to a full-time retail position, eventually becoming a store manager. Along the way, she met and married a U.S. citizen, welcomed a second daughter, and became a naturalized citizen in 2023.
In 2018, Muna decided it was time to start her own business. She opened a small daycare center in her home, licensed to care for eight children at a time. Her business quickly flourished, with afternoon slots consistently full. “I have to turn people away,” she said, indicating the high demand for her services. Muna is now saving to purchase a larger home to expand her daycare capacity, with her daughter assisting her in the operation.
As the owner-operator of her daycare, Muna’s responsibilities include caring for infants, transporting children to and from school, and organizing activities at the park and library. She also dedicates time to community service, serving on the board of Global Village, a housing project currently in development, and volunteering with the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, where she aids new refugees. For the first time since arriving in the United States, Muna enjoys weekends off.
“In the seven years, I know what the Saturday-Sunday thing is,” she said with a laugh. “It’s so nice, so nice.”
Muna’s story illustrates not only her personal journey of resilience but also the significant contributions of immigrant women to the fabric of American society. Her transition from a struggling babysitter to a thriving business owner exemplifies the strength and determination that many immigrants bring to their new homes.
According to American Immigration Council, Muna’s experience is reflective of the broader narrative of immigrant resilience and the essential roles they play in their communities.