Samy Khalil is Egypt’s gift to the San Lorenzo Valley. How he arrived here is a story that could be made into a movie.
When Khalil, 65, graduated from Cairo University with a degree in psychology and philosophy in 1968, he was hired by the Egyptian government. His assignment was to distribute food from UNICEF to the youth in a small village. The pay was low, and he worked summers as a tour guide in Cairo to supplement his income.
One day, he was in a coffee house and overheard a couple asking for directions in English. He volunteered his help as a translator. After conversing, he invited them to his home. That American couple was Lloyd and Lula Howk, residents of Boulder Creek.
After meeting with Khalil and his family, the Howks left their hotel and moved in with the family for the remainder of their time in the country. When it was time to leave, Khalil asked if he could join them in the United States.
The Howks sponsored him for a student visa in 1977, which meant they had to guarantee his room and board for a year. He lived with them, worked for a restaurant in Ben Lomond and went to Cabrillo College, where he received degrees in English and microcomputers.
“On a bus to school, I met another immigrant from the Philippines, named Edith,” Khalil said. “After six months, we married.”
Together, they had a child, Anthony, now 31. Edith died five years ago.
“After graduation, I worked for Plantronics as a test technician for 15 years,” Khalil said. “I then worked for Dallas Electronics and Digital Dynamics.”
He recently retired and became very active in the two local senior centers.
At Scotts Valley Senior Center, he introduced the line dancing class this past January. His enthusiastic group learns new dances every Friday, as well as enjoying the previous week’s dances. He has volunteered to be a cook at one of the barbecues offered by the center this summer, and he participates in bocce ball and exercise classes.
At Highlands Park, he sits on the board and helps direct senior center activities.
Folks at the Scotts Valley Senior Center have attested to the fact that he is cheerful and helpful, always has a smile on his face, compliments people without being false and has maintained his wonder and joy at being an American.
“I always try to see the best in people,” Khalil said.
Khalil, a Christian, commented optimistically on the recent uprising in Egypt.
“It will result in less discrimination for Christians in a country that is 90 percent Muslim, and it sends a message of peace and love for all Egyptians,” he said.
His philosophy is “to be optimistic and to see everything in a positive way.”
He also aims to stay active, learn new line dancing steps and be creative in incorporating line dancing with Middle Eastern music.
Personally, he looks forward to enjoying the growth of his grandchildren, Janella, 5, and Malik, 2, and spending time with his special friend, Linda Blenio.
More than three decades later, Khalil remains grateful for the chance he was given to become an American.
“Egypt is a poor country, and I had no chance for advancement,” he said. “The country is one of the poorest on Earth, due partially to overpopulation. Two million people a year are added, and most of the people live along the Nile River.
“I was able to bring my immediate family over to this country.”
He especially honors the Howks, who took in a stranger and provided him with a better life.
Scotts Valley writer Phyllis Levine tells the stories of her valley neighbors. Contact her at ph********@*ol.com.
