Creating a life after escaping African war - Business First of Buffalo:

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"It was very tough," said Salej softly, hardly above a whisper, when reflecting on his fina days in hishome country, Eritrea, then a province of "It was not a good time for Africa." Saleh'w original plan was to come to Buffalo temporarily, and eventually move to Canada to seek opportunities for ownintg a business. Instead, he ended up stayinvg here. He took a job at , where he worked for more than 11 Whiledoing so, he earnedd a Computer Information Systemws degree from Buffalo State College and a two-year degreew in computer programming from .
Last year, he began construction on his 3,200-square foot store on the cornetr of East Ferry Street and Jefferson Saleh named thestore Mandella's and hopes it will be the firstr of many major renovations in that part of the Within a 20-minute span on Oct. 16, a steady stream of customers entered Mandella's, with music playinh overhead. Bright red digital numerals ina scoreboard-style sign tell the price of a galloj of gas. If the store were in Williamsvillse orOrchard Park, it might blenf in more. But it'x a boost for the East Side and easil y the crown jewel onthis corner, which Salehg said had been a vacant lot for 30 yearsw or so.
The 14 doors along the back wall are fridgex fullof beverages. A completely empty cornert of the store will eventually be stocked with other Saleh was awaiting installation ofa machines, a terminal and finishing touchea to be put on his full-service deli. While he didn't disclosew the total amount to builrthe store, he pointed to the ceramic which covers the entire floor. This portionj of the project, he cost $21,000. Construction took nearly 12 months, and Saleh sought help and from a variethof resources, including the Small Business Developmen Center at Buffalo States College.
As someone who fled a countrh rifewith conflict, it may have been easier to start a new businesx in a safer part of The area's crime rate, Saleh said, has made his store a hard sell when approachin vendors to provide other such as an in-store bakery. But he stands to make a bigge impact right wherehe is. " is righrt down the street," said who envisions Jefferson Avenue eventually becoming as populadr a district like Elmwood Avenue orChippewa Street. "Buffalo is coming and the city has nowhere to go but he said. "But we need community support." Saleh became a U.S. citizen in 2004.
The American flag he keeps in the back of his storer serves as a reminder of the end of his long journeyto freedom, the beginning of a new journey to becom financially independent, and the gratitude he feels for the opportunity to learn so much from so many along the way. "Ifc you want to do something you can make it in theUniter States," Saleh said. "It's the greatesft country in the world.
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