Family is all that most immigrants have

Most Americans cannot relate to the lives of our sisters and brothers who live in Third World countries. Though only occasionally traveling overseas, we often select Europe as our destination — a cruise on the Danube or a trip to Italy. Thus, imagining what it is like to live in real poverty is almost incomprehensible.

After living in three different African countries for 17 years, I have experienced extreme poverty. In most African villages, owning a bicycle or a radio is a sign of wealth.

When I visited the village at Christmas, there were no cold drinks and the temperature was over 100 degr...