Tatizo is from Zambia, in the Demographic Republic of the Congo. She moved to Arizona in 2016. She is the second recipient of the Sami Abdul Fattah Assadi Award. 'Two Goodbyes' Excerpt from her essay Growing up in Africa was a unique experience that shaped me into the person I am today. My childhood was filled with both joy and challenges, but it was always carried out by my family and community. I lived in a small countryside village called Simonga in Zambia, where life was simple, and everyone knew each other. My grandmother Nancy played a significant role in my upbringing, and she was an essential part of my life. As I grew older, I realized that there were opportunities outside of my village and country that I wanted to explore. I longed to experience new cultures and see the universe for all its glory. Eventually, I was able to bring Nancy to America through a family reunification program. It was a joyous moment for both of us, and I was grateful that she could experience the new life that I had built for myself. I showed her around my new home and introduced her to my friends. She was happy to see me thriving in a new environment, but I could tell that she missed our old life too.