B5 was honored to host Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick last month for their monthly lunch. Women from B5 English classes, teachers, volunteers, and our friends from Soroptimist contributed to a potluck lunch and enjoyed a meal together.
Once everyone filled their plates, the program honoring women from B5’s two English programs began. B5 offers a Limited English Proficiency class to qualifying adults, who study 12 hours each week. There is also a volunteer-led class available only to women who face cultural or other barriers to attending the LEP classes. Over 30 students were honored for their improved English proficiency. Eleven women were honored for displaying excellence in attendance, enthusiasm, leadership, and/or determination. Other women were recognized in the program for obtaining a driver’s permit, citizenship, or completing a career-readiness program.
Four students shared their stories with the Soroptimist members.
Ma Thidar, who only recently arrived from Myanmar, via Malaysia, would like to work for Amazon one day. Jenni Alexander, Director of Teaching and Learning, shared that Ma Thidar’s perfect attendance for three months has contributed to the strong progress she’s made in learning the English needed to get the job she wants.
Zaina Ibrahim, Women and Family Support at B5, shared Mahboba’s story. Mahboba has been persistent in her studies, even while caring for her family of eight children. She and her husband and their children were evacuated from Afghanistan by the US military when the US withdrew. Mahboba looks forward to the independence learning English and getting her driver’s license will give her. She wants to use her skills in sewing and jewelry-making as well.
Shmala, another student from Afghanistan, was able to tell her story in her own words. Though the advances she’s made speaking English were clear, what she focused on was the importance of the welcome and hope she found at B5 when she was a lonely newcomer.
Finally, Halima, who came from Somalia via Turkey with her children, told some of her story. She hopes to learn English well enough to work as an interpreter. She already knows three other languages, and was able to work as a translator while her family was in Turkey. Her husband, who had nearly completed the process necessary to come to the US as refugee, remains in Turkey since the US has halted all refugee admissions.
It was a wonderful afternoon of celebration and learning about each other. Soroptimist members and B5 students shared tables, food, and a little about their own stories and hopes.
