Gala celebrates immigrant couples who stay together

Lots of immigrant couples don't get through all the difficulties adjusting to a new home and culture. This celebrates those who succeed.  - - Donna Poisl

BY VALERIE RUSS, Philadelphia Daily News Staff Writer

THEY CALL IT the Still Standing Gala - a night of celebration for married couples from Africa and the Caribbean who are still together despite the challenges of immigrant life in America.

Eric Nzeribe, publisher of FunTimes magazine, said he launched the Still Standing event a year ago to honor the couples for adjusting to a new culture and gender roles and working two and three jobs just to survive.

"We have a tendency in our community to work hard, to make money, to send some to our home country, and we don't take care of ourselves," the Nigerian-born Nzeribe said. "We have to make ends meet. The last thing that comes to our minds is to take my spouse out and give them flowers while they can still smell them."
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