December 19, 2024
Memoir
Date Published: August 15, 2024
Publisher: MindStir Media
The memoir, Dreaming from the Trunk of an American Car, recounts a story shared by many immigrants who are in pursuit of the American dream. Through intertwining his personal experiences with those of his ancestors, the author guides readers through his formative years and journey to adulthood. At the age of twenty, Pashko Camaj and his twin sister, Drita, travel from former Yugoslavia to Mexico with the goal of reaching the United States. They cross the border hidden in the trunk of a large American car into California, seeking freedom and opportunity. Locked in the trunk, memories flood in and dreams begin. Told in beautiful prose, the memoir portrays the heroic spirits of its characters, radiating rays of hope in a harsh world. As a first-generation immigrant, he grapples with feelings of guilt for departing from his motherland, the very land his predecessors had fought and labored for. The weight of his choice to leave lingers, prompting him to question whether he has betrayed his forefathers. Ultimately, he arrives at a resolution that liberates him from the burdens of the past, enabling him to establish a new legacy in his new homeland.
About the Author
Pashko R. Camaj is a Montenegrin-born author, public health expert, and community leader whose life journey embodies the resilience and determination of the immigrant experience. Born in 1964 in Montenegro, he completed his high school education and mandatory military service before making a daring escape to the United States in 1985. Accompanied by his twin sister, Drita, Pashko crossed the U.S.-Mexico border hidden in the trunk of an American car, a pivotal moment that became the foundation of his powerful memoir, Dreaming from the Trunk of an American Car.
Driven by a passion for education and personal growth, Pashko pursued higher learning, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in environmental and occupational health sciences from the City University of New York. He later completed his Doctor of Public Health at Columbia University, showcasing his dedication to improving lives through research and leadership.
Currently, Pashko serves in senior leadership at MTA-Bridges & Tunnels, a state transportation agency in New York, and as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University in New Jersey. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he actively contributes to the Albanian-American community as Secretary of the Pan-Albanian Federation of America (VATRA), the oldest American-Albanian organization in the United States.
Dreaming from the Trunk of an American Car is Pashko’s debut memoir, a poignant and inspiring story that reflects his journey, honors his ancestors, and celebrates the indomitable spirit of those in pursuit of a better life. When he’s not teaching, working, or writing, Pashko enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in community service.
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