On the bright side

by Navjyoti Dalal

In this new column, Home Is Where The Hearth Is, we shine the spotlight on the immigrant experience. And as a cultural exchange get them to share food recipes they hold dear. Meet Xhesika Gica, an 18-year-old from Albania who finds Ireland to be more conducive for youth to bloom into their best self.

It was challenging, I must admit, to break the mould of the interview and conversation that form the base of this column. The expats who have made it to this space have at least three decades to their lived experience, thus, more insight to share. But it needs a mental rewiring to get to know a teenager and explore her understanding of displacement, which was surprisingly positive in this case. Perhaps that is the blessing of youth, it has the quality of taking things in your stride. Albanian-origin teenager Xhesika Gica (pronounced Jessica Git-za) amazed us with her sanguine temperament.

Adventure Island

Born in the capital city of Tirana, in Albania, Xhesika had an appetite for exploring new places and cultures. When her parents decided to move to Ireland to secure a better future for the family, Xhesika took it as a new adventure. "I was very happy to get to travel to a new place," says Xhesika who was 10 when she arrived in Ireland. Her excitement for the new land continued despite a lack of common language. "The first year was hard. I was acclimatising to a new culture, and I had no language to communicate with my peers. I remember nodding to respond to my classmates at St Peter's school. But I am also thankful to the principal who recognised that and arranged for English lessons for me," says Xhesika who joined the school as a fourth class student.

If the first year was lagging in confidence, there were small triumphs which helped her reclaim it.

"In sixth class, my teachers encouraged me to join the school orchestra. We also gave a performance at the Dean Crowe theatre. Playing saxophone, and following our orchestra conductor, is my favourite school memory," recalls Xhesika. She later attended Our Lady's Bower Secondary School, and is currently utilising the gap year before university to pursue a QQI level 5 course in software development.

Community at Service

For the 18-year-old, community has played a big role in instilling a feeling of belonging to the town. She mentions her appreciation for the Irish society and the way it treats its youth.

"As much as I love Albania, Ireland provides more opportunities to its youngsters to have a productive life. There are institutions in place to guide, support, nurture and hear young people. While in Albania academics are harder and grading harsher, Ireland is more open and gives one choices. Youngsters who couldn't get through the leaving cert can still take up courses and not feel dejected," she explains.

Xhesika's first brush with this support system was in the form of the Youth Club at St Mary's Hall. "I joined it six years ago, and Kieran Burke (the coordinator) has been so supportive and encouraging. I got help with the homework, learnt baking, improved my English, made friends and built my confidence," Xhesika shares.

She is also a part of Comhairle na nÓg (local student councils across the country) and regularly participates in events that help bring a change in society. "Recently we organised the road safety event, and in the past I have worked on campaigns that focus on important issues like environment, or dangers of vaping, and more. We cannot be spectators to what's happening around us. If there's a problem we should come together to find a solution," she says.

It is refreshing to see someone her age balance the blitheness and irreverence of youth with heady idealism. "I just like to do the right thing, that's how I am raised. My parents have always prioritised righteousness over everything else," says Xhesika.

Guarding a Desire

Xhesika dresses in typical teenager fashion of oversized sweatshirt/jacket and wide leg pants. Her favourite silver necklace is a nod to her roots featuring two eagles (the Albanian emblem). But she wishes to don the Garda uniform one day.

"I have always wanted to be part of the Gardai. You cannot overlook their role in the society, the way their presence makes you feel safe. Personally, I like challenges, and solving a problem through action. Maybe that's why I have always imagined myself to be a Garda. But my parents are not a fan of it," says Xhesika.

Her mother, like all well-meaning parents, insists that her daughter opts for a career that's lucrative and has more viability, like software development. Xhesika, who has just crossed the threshold into adulthood, devised a plan to cater to both her desire and her parents' vision.

"I have decided to continue with the software course and also study the discipline in university, get a job in Information Technology to make my parents happy. Once they are satisfied that I have the skill, qualification and career in software, I plan to try for An Garda Síochána. I can always go back to software if I don't enjoy my calling," Xhesika says.

Recipe

To have a chef as mother it is natural to fall in love with food. Xhesika has a love-only relationship with food. “I’d be a rolling ball if it wasn’t for my fast metabolism,” says Xhesika who enjoys cooking as much as eating. Her love for the culinary arts comes in full glory when she bakes. She shares an easy to follow traditional cornbread recipe for the readers. The dish is called Bukë Misri which is usually served with Kos (closest to Greek yoghurt in taste). Alternatively you can serve it with a cheese of your choice, like Feta. Xhesika recommends another version of the yogurt by adding some cucumbers, some crushed garlic, pepper, salt and olive oil. The bread is great by itself but is also a delicious companion to soups and stews.

Ingredients:

800gm cornmeal 800ml water A little bit of cornmeal to dust the baking tray A spray of oil for the baking dish Greek Yogurt or Feta cheese for accompaniment

Buke Misri is the Albanian cornbread which is traditionally had with soured milk called Kos. But it goes equally well with Feta cheese, greek yogurt and soups.

Method:

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. In a bowl mix the cornmeal and water with a spoon. Once the ingredients have come together to form a dough. Once the dough is firm enough, shape it into a thick flat circle. Place it in an oil-sprayed and cornmeal dusted baking dish. Bake it for 40 minutes. Once baked, cool it down and serve it with yogurt dip or feta cheese. One can also use it as a side for soups.