daily nebraskan
page 15
Educational chances good
friday, October 12, 1979
Zambian brothers
in
U.S.
By Bill Graf
Two brothers from Zambia, Central
Africa, who recently purchased the Con
gress Inn on West 0 Street, said they came
to Lincoln to attend school and arc "very
happy" with Lincoln.
Yogcsh Dcsai, a 1976 graduate of
Southern Illinois University, said he
returncdjo Zambia in 1977 but moved to
Arkansas a year and a half later and bought
a hotel. He joined his two brothers, Mahcsh
and Umcsh, and his sister, Hina, who had
been in the United States since November
1977.
"We were doing quite well in Russell-
villc. Ark., but my sister wanted to study
pharmacy and my other brother is studying
engineering. Russellville was too small and
the university didn't offer what they
wanted," Yogesh said.
"Having the university here had a lot to
do with our decision to move to Lincoln."
Although Yogcsh and Mahesh were born
in Zambia, their parents, who still live in
Zambia, moved there from India 35 years
ago .
The Desai brothers also talked about the
. I rr i .
major cultural aiucrences oetween the
United States and Zambia.
"The family unit isn't as prominent as it
is in Zambia " Yogesh said.
"When our parents get to 60 years of
age, we don't put them in a nursing home.
Kveryone lives together, the grandparents,
parents and children he said .
Yogesh and Mahesh Desai said Zambia's
economic problems are caused by low
world copper prices and the fighting in
neighboring Zimbabwe, Rhodesia. Copper
once was the chief export of Zambia, they
said.
Calling President, Kaunda of Zambia a
humanitarian and a man of principles,
Yogcsh said, "he cut off economic ties
with Rhodesia because he refused to sup
port the minority government of
Rhodesia."
However, they said, this action shut off
supply lines from the ports of Mozambique
to Zambia, creating shortages of all items,
including basic commodities such as
corn meal, sugar and Hour.
Mahesh explained that even though the
cost of living is about the same in Zambia,
wages are much lower.
"Construction workers in Zambia make
about $150 a month, where as the same
type of worker in the United States would
make $1000 a month," he said.
Yogesh said the educational opportunit
ies are better in the United States. How
ever, he added, the quality of a high school
education in Zambia is superior to the
United States.
He explained that everyone attends,
grades one through seven. Upon comple
tion of the seventh grade, the student must
take an extrancc exam and score at least a
90 percent grade to be accepted into high
school.
"The people in Nebraska are the friend
liest we have encountered anywhere in the
United States," Yogesh said.
But they both agreed that it may take a
while to get used to the Nebraska winters.
"Winter coats feel strange" Mahesh
said. "They're so heavy."
The temperature in Zambia ranges from
50 to 90 degrees, he said.
Architect speaking
Henry Sanoff, architecture professor at
North Carolina State University, will speak
Thursday on "Social Architecture: A New
Delivery System" as part of the Hyde
Speaker's Series.
The 4 p.m. lecture in the Sheldon Art
Gallery Auditorium is part of a lecture
series based on the theme of "Professional
Futures."
Sanoff is known for his work in design
methods and processes, architectural pro
gramming and in citizen participation de
sign and community development.
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Escape from the city
and discover something really special:
The Even Keel Lounge on Capitol Beach Lake.
You'll find that the Even Keel is something really special in
atmosphere . . . with its view of Lincoln's only lake. And now . . .
live entertainment Thursday thru Saturday evenings for your
listening and dancing pleasure. This weekend, come listen to
The Statesmen
The Even Keel is something special . . . with its atmosphere, view,
and now live entertainment. It's hard to find . . . and even harder
to forget.
The Even Keel Lounge Capitol Beach Marina
Southeast end of Capitol Beach Lake
720 South Lakeshore Drive Lincoln 477-6792 Ample FREE Parking Available
(D)inni(B(D)Miuiini
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f
Saturday, Oct. 1 3th
8:00 pm
Bob Devaney Sports
Tickets still available!
Got them for $5.50 UNL students,
$6.50 general public at both Unions,
Dirt Cheap, and Bon Simon's.