MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., Sept. 12, 2017 — Four years -- that’s how long he waited.
Messan Atayi moved to the United States from Togo in 2013, leaving behind his pregnant wife. Now an Air Force airman first class and an individual protective equipment journeyman with the 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron here, he was reunited with his wife Aug. 18 and met his daughter for the first time.
Under the federal laws regulating the program, selectees must travel to the U.S. before the end of the fiscal year of their selection or they will lose their visas. So, after postponing his flight to the U.S. twice,
“I waited forever to see my baby be born, but she never came,” he said. “I moved to the states finally because I postponed my ticket two times, and they already charged me, and then when I left she was born three days later. I just missed it.”
Giving Back to Adopted Nation
Using his master’s degree in geography, Atayi lived and worked in Illinois for two years before deciding to join the Air Force.
“I think it’s really great to be serving in the Air Force and to learn from it,” he said. “I didn’t join because of education -- I already have my education -- and I didn’t want a really good paycheck. I was paid more where I used to work, but I quit. I want to do what I’m doing now. I put on my uniform every day knowing that I am going to put my best foot forward and give 110 percent because there is someone, somewhere counting on me.”
The fact that he only got a handful of vacation days at his previous job and the chaos of joining the military meant
One of the most significant roadblocks was that U.S. Citizenship and
Family Ties
Being apart from his family made it very difficult to bond with his daughter, Aina, he said.
“It was kind of tough, especially with my baby, because I wasn’t there to watch her first steps in life,”
After traveling for nearly 24 hours,
“I had really intense feelings to finally see my daughter, grab her and share my ice cream with her,” he said. “It felt like an accomplishment because the whole process was so tough.”
Now they’re finally together, Atayi said he’s realized it’s going to be tough for all of them to adapt to life together, and to
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out now,” he explained. “I’ve been with her for a week, and [my daughter] prefers her mom over me. She used to see me on the screen and that’s all, but now I can see her, I can touch her, I can play with her and I can hang out with her. I know it will take time for her to get used to me and for me to be that good dad she can go to.”
The Future
The family may face challenges, but
“My wife does not speak much English, but she is very excited to bring our family together, find a job and become an American citizen,” he said. “I hope I will be a good dad and husband.”
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"I was honored to witness