Noreen Peniel occasionally wraps herself in the iconic Maasai shuka and walks through the streets of Massachusetts, the American state she has called home for the past five years. The brightly coloured robe, marked with bold red stripes, immediately draws attention.
Yet for her, it is not simply a piece of cloth. It is a living reminder of her identity, her upbringing and the traditions she carries from Tanzania, thousands of miles away from home.
She says the United States has given her the freedom to remain true to herself.
America’s diversity, she explained, allows people from different cultures to express themselves openly without fear of judgement.
“The country is very diverse, and it allows you to be your true self,” she said.
