Of Beetles and Angels Study Guide – Flashcards

A person who has been forced to leave their country because of war, religious, or political reasons.

Mawi's older half-sister suddenly appears at the refugee camp. This delays the family's journey to a new life in the U.S. by a full year. Mulu is bullied in high school, fights back and is eventually expelled. Mulu now lives in Atlanta with her two children.

born in Seraye, Eritrea in 1934. He was sent to a monastery after the death of his parents. There, he learned how to read and write. He left the monastery at age 9, and went to live with his relative who treated him like a servant and even threw a coffee grinder at his head. He then fled, and went to his other relative, who was nicer, but didn't have enough money to fully support him. During this time, he went through a phase when he loved women and alcoholic drinks. Haileab had many children he never saw again. He worked as a cleaner at a local hospital, and while he cleaned he would listen to the doctors talking. At night, Haileab would read any book he could get his hands on. Later, he took a test to qualify as a full purpose dresser. He scored the second highest score an 84. He then settled down with his wife Tsege and had 3 kids, one being Mawi. Forced to flee his home, Haileab and his family ended up as refugees in a Sudanese camp until they became refugees in America. In America, he couldn't get a job as a doctor, and was forced to become a janitor. He struggled to try to keep his status, but was deteriorating rapidly. His employer was forced to fire him, because of his glaucoma and cataracts, he would lose things, and forget to lock doors. Mawi then says that he felt that his Haileab thought he had turned into an unsightly beetle. Haileab always stressed the importance of education as well as treating everyone with respect whether or not they were Beetles or Angels. Haileab proved to be a major influence on his son Mawi during his life as well as later until his untimely death at the hands of a drunk driver.

is Mawi's mother. She married Haileab when she was only twenty, and when he was forty. This is their custom though, because, as Mawi says a young man hasn't done anything important, and doesn't have that much money so he can't support a family. When her third child was born, she had to flee to a Sudanese refugee camp, so she could get away from the increasingly dangerous war. A few years later, she planned to leave with her husband and three children for America. A few days before they were planned to leave, one of her husband's child's, came to visit them. They were forced to wait another year so they could secure the paperwork that she needed. A few days after they arrived to America, she gave birth to a boy, whom she named Hnsta-Eysus. Tsege was the main house keeper. She would cook, do the chores, and run house in general. Thought the book, even at the hardest times, she would always support the family and encourage the kids and Haileab to do their best. Tsege taught Mawi two important life lessons; never forget where you come from and place the covers over your head to avoid snakes crawling down your throat.

Mawi's little brother, who was conceived in Sudan, born a few days after the Asgedom family reached America. According to a friend of Mawi, he was very cute as a baby. His name is also Temesgen which means Thank You...a sentiment of how the Asgedom family felt "thankful" about arriving safely in America and thankful about their new life in America.

Mawi for short is the author and protagonist of the book. As a seven year old, Mawi and his entire family fled a Sudanese refuge camp for a better life in America. The boys than started school, where they were physically and mentally bullied because of their ethnicity and class. As Mawi grew up, he matured, but at first, he was one of those kids who take a lot of candy from others on Halloween, he raided a parking meter, and played tricks on people. He is an amazing runner, because his father rallied him, and because his coach, told him that he should be on the track team. Like his older brother Tewolde, Mawi developed Libee Migbar. The mentoring and support of his track coach, College Counselor and others helped him with his college applications. At first, he was going to apply to one average college. When his guidance counselor, and a family friend told him he should apply to schools like Yale and Harvard, at first he refused. Later though, they convinced him to apply to Miami of Ohio, Illinois, Duke, Wake Forest, Washington University in Saint Luis, Yale, and Harvard. Harvard offered him a full tuition scholarship, and he decided to go there, graduated with honors, and delivered the Commencement Speech. Mawi is now sought out by schools, and businesses as a motivational speaker.

Mawi's older brother who tragically died at the hands of a drunk driver during his Senior Year of H.S. In Sudan, he was a very good hunter. When a world relief agent told him that he had to leave for America, at first, Tewolde refused. Prior to his death, Tewolde had experienced Libee Migbar at the age of 13 years old. In fact, he sacrificed and sent money to a South American boy $240 a year through Compassion International. Mawi's growth as a student, Christian as well as an entrepreneur influenced Mawi greatly both during his life and after he died.

Mawi's youngest sister. She was five years old when the Asgedom family moved to America. Mawi and Tewolde went out of their way to protect their younger, smaller sister who was pushed against the fence by winds as a child. Later in the book, Mehret was punished by Haileab for accepting a ride home with a church friend of the opposite gender. This scene in the book demonstrates the differing cultural values of Ethiopians and Americans regarding "dating."

a small framed woman who worked at World Relief Organization as a caseworker was the first "angel" the family encountered in America. She helped Haileab obtain medical assistance when he developed Malaria. She also found a sponsor for the Asgedom family, she eventually found the Bethel Presbyterian Church as willing sponsors.

The second "angel" appeared in the form of a young, blonde, twenty-year old college student from Wheaton College (a religious school ) who volunteered to take the kids to play soccer, played guitar and sang songs as well as provided them with religious instruction about Jesus Christ, the "lamp that guides all paths."

as a six year old in the refugee camp at Umsagata, Kiros developed a reputation for being quite dangerous. He could climb trees no matter how tall...50, 60, 100 Feet high. Also, he loved to throw stones that he would use while in a tree to hit whomever crossed his path. Everyone was afraid of him, both the young and the old feared losing an eye. At the age of 8 years old, Kiros moved to America where he moves in with the Asgedom family briefly. After moving out, Kiros would meet the family on Halloween every year to go trick or treating which included an incident with an elderly lady believing that the boys wanted to steal her candy.

an old family friend Mawi encountered during one of the Eritrean Conferences held in Columbus, Ohio. Berhe shared stories with Mawi about the love, repsect and admiration Haileab enjoys in Tigray. The villagers remarked: "He walked through miles of winter mud to help someone's aunt to give birth," He saved someone's grandfather from the snakebit's certain death," His generosity knew no bounds." This changes Mawi's view of his father from being a circumstantial "beetle" to a true "angel."

Mawi and his family fled the ravages of war in Ethiopia for a harsh life (1980- 1983) in a small, dusty refugee camp in Umsagata, Sudan. The family survived on goat milk, eggs, U.N. rations, and whatever they could grow in their small gardens. Much needed healthcare was provided by a Swedish ministry. The children, Mawi in particular endure brutal beatings at hand of his one-armed math teacher. In order to survive, Mawi and his older brother Tewolde fought fellow refugees on a constant basis. Despite these hardships, the Habeshas at the camp would gather for celebrations with Haileab, one the best dancers as the center of attention. Most refugees dreamt of life in a paradise they called Amerikha. a distant land where everyone had a future.

After spending an extra year the refugee camp because of Mulu's late arrival in the camp. The six members of the Asgedom's finally landed in a motel six outside of Chicago where they spent their first two weeks. Eventually the family was sponsored by the Bethel Presbysterian Church who helped with housing; schools, shopping for food, and receiving medical attention. The children were constantly bullied at school. In fact, Mulu was expelled for fighting her bullies. The biys soon learn that they should not fight on America since it would prevent them from getting a scholarship for college. The father teaches his children an invaluable lesson about "beetles and Angels" even though he himself feels like a "monstrous black beetle" with impaired vision and no job. The boys grown and mature and become great students. Sadly, Tewolde's life is cut short and the father dies as well at the hands of a drunk driver. Mawi uses these tragedies to propel him to be successful. He graduated from Harvard with honors, delivered the Commencement speech and published a best-selling memoir that honors the memories of all of his fellow Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees.

While in the camp at Umsagata, Sudan, Mawi and his brother Tewolde faced violence on a daily basis. As such, they learned a Sudanese fighting style to protect themselves from everyone except their sadistic math teacher. The boys used sticks, stones and sand in their efforts to survive. While attending elementary school, Mawi and Tewolde's survival instincts were regularly tested by several bullies including Sam, Frank, Mbago, Dennis, Marc, and Jake. Initially, they learned to take taunting and small beatings, but there were a few isolated incidents, though, where they had no choice but to defend themselves. As Tewolde and Mawi got older, the violence at school stopped when Haileab received a letter about his son's behavior and he told them to come home beaten instead of fighting back if this would ensure that they are not expelled from school.

Mawi always appreciated the love and support he received from his older brother Tewolde. Upon his sudden death, Mawi reflected on how the responsibilities of being an older sibling had now fallen squarely on his shoulders. When reflecting on what his older brother meant to him, Mawi writes: The word "bro" mean It means a measuring stick, A higher standard, A heart that sees angels, a lifelong inspiration. It means God be with us...and may we meet again. Initially, Mawi had moments both in Middle School (due to bullying) and in High School, the shock of Tewolde's death that made him question himself. Fortunately, he used the death of Tewolde and his father to serve as a positive motivating factor to push ihim to become successful. At one point, he says that his brother had always looked for angels in the least likely places, therefore he would do the same.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the Asgedom's when they first arrived in America was homesickness. Therefore, one of their most welcomed surprises is when they discovered neighbors disguised as habesha angels who not only spoke their language, but shared injera (bread) and a bowl of stew (sebhi) with them. The family also maintained their religious devotion as well as embraced the notion of Libee Migbar during their adolescent years. The parents viewed boyfriend/girlfriend relationships as being sidinet (wicked) and often enjoyed a fresh cup of "boona" coffee while sharing tales of life back home.

According to Haileab, Amerikha was a considered a paradise, a distant land where everyone had a future. He told us that money grew on trees, everyone was rich, everyone had a home, food and everyone had peace. According to Haileab, Everyone is Amerikha "lived to be one hundred years old. And had access to free education. And no wars—no wars! Yes, everyone had cars, and no one had to work more than two hours a day. What a Country! What a paradise!" The reality was that America did not include relatives, friends, and a majority of people who spoke the Asgedom native language. Everyone in America "did not live long, easy livesThey did not own a car, lived in a cramped hotel initially until they moved into a small house. The children were bullied and made fun of for being "foreign and poor." The family was helped significantly by several "angels" including Charlene; Beth, fellow Ethiopians, Mr. Martin, Coach Kroger, Mawi's College Counselor and others who helped the family. All of the tragedies the family faced in Umsagata, nothing compared to the tragic loss of Tewolde and Haileab at the hands of drunk drivers.

Haileab began by informing the judge that neither he nor his fellow refugees knew the language. They had come to America from countries such as Eritea and Sudan whereby they did not have plumbing systems. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the landlord to show them how to properly use the new appliances and plumbing. The judge agreed with him and he won the case.

The family's journey to the U.S. began with invaluable assistance from a U.S.- based Christian organization that located refugees and helped them settle in the United States. Once they were settled in the U.S., another religious organization Bethel Presbyterian Church became their official sponsors. The family quickly learned that God has special angels in place to watch over them and to ensure their safety. These angels were often mistreated because they resembled beetles. The children learned about the teachings of Jesus Christ from Charlene. The family's faith helped them endure daily trials and tribulations. As a teen, Tewolde looked for angels everywhere he went. Mawi tried to emulate this quality found in his brother. In the closing chapter entitled Izgihare Yihabkoom, Mawi says, "true power comes from focusing on what we can give, not just on what we can take," even if it is God given, the translation of Izgihare Yihabkoom----May God give to you.

looked for angels everywhere he went. Mawi tried to emulate this quality found in his brother. In the closing chapter entitled Izgihare Yihabkoom, Mawi says, "true power comes from focusing on what we can give, not just on what we can take," even if it is God given, the translation of Izgihare Yihabkoom----May God give to you.

According to Mawi, "improving the quality of life for the entire human community is the single greatest task that faces our generation and generations to come." This requires all of us to remove the covers from above our heads, peek out and see beyond ourselves.

While Mawi appreciated and valued his experience at Harvard, he realizes that it is better to give than to receive. As he writes..."of the gifts that we can give, the greatest is to see beauty in each other---in essence, to give beauty to each. When we give beauty, we prepare our hearts to receive it back.

Haileab informs the judge that his friends Temesgen and Kibrom wanted to avoid hitting a child who had wandered into the street. It was these actions that caused them to damage the property.

Haileab was born in Seraye, Eritrea in 1934. He was sent to a monastery after the death of his parents. There, he learned how to read and write. He left the monastery at age 9, and went to live with his relative who treated him like a servant and even threw a coffee grinder at his head. Mawi on the other grew up as the second eldest boy in a loving Ethiopian family. At the age of three Mawi moved to a refugee camp in Sudan. Life in the camp was hard, Mawi and his brother learned Sudanese style fighting for survival purposes. The children, Mawi in particular, endured brutal beatings at the hand of his one-armed math teacher. In order to survive, Mawi and his older brother Tewolde fought fellow refugees on a constant basis. Likewise, Haileab was not treated well as a child, therefore he fled his abusive home, taught himself medicine and science by reading Anatomy and Physiology books and took a National exam which qualified him to become a dresser. Having experienced the challenges to educate himself and to become a very successful "Doctor." Haileab stressed the importance of education. Later in life, Haileab went through a phase when he "abused" women and alcoholic drinks. Forced to flee his home, Haileab and his family ended up as refugees in a Sudanese camp until they became refugees in America. In America, he couldn't get a job as a doctor, and was forced to become a janitor. He struggled to try to keep his status, but was deteriorating rapidly. His employer was forced to fire him, because of his glaucoma and cataracts, he would lose things, and forget to lock doors. Mawi then says that he felt that his Haileab thought he had turned into an unsightly beetle. Haileab always stressed the importance of education as well as treating everyone with respect whether or not they were Beetles or Angels. Initially, Mawi struggled in school because he and his brother had to fight bullies on a daily basis. After the death of his brother Tewolde, Mawi realized the importance of setting a good example for his younger siblings. As such, he began to work hard both academically as well as on the track field. In the end, Haileab proved to be a major influence on his son Mawi during his life as well as later until his untimely death at the hands of a drunk driver.