Removing language barriers,
building leaders, and
cultivating community.

Removing language barriers,
building leaders, and
cultivating community.

Our Impact

We serve refugees in Amarillo and the surrounding regions of the Texas Panhandle by studying their languages and cultures, connecting their communities with local institutions, and fostering relationships between refugees and local residents.

Forming Relationships

Sharing Current Information

Teaching English

Training Teachers & Organizations

Developing New Leaders

Who We Are

The Refugee Language Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Amarillo, Texas. Launched in May 2017, it is directed by Dr. Ryan Pennington, a linguist with a decade of international non-profit experience. It is funded primarily by donations.

Why This Project?

Location: Amarillo

Our Mission

Meet Us

Excited by Our Vision?

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Social Media

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We're on Facebook and Instagram,
and you can find some videos on your YouTube channel.

Get Involved!

Discover an exciting world of language and culture!

Join us in person, learn what we're up to from our newsletters, or consider making a donation.

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Dec 9

Our first-ever Amarillo Refugee State of the Union address is your chance to learn all about Amarillo’s refugees. We will present what we’ve learned from our years of research, and then share our recommendations for the city & local partners. When we met with refugee communities last year, we discussed their pasts and compared them to their present realities. Then we dreamed together about what they need for a better future.

Log in on January 12 to dream with us about how we can make that future a reality. Everyone is welcome, including community partners, volunteers, and friends near and far. The presentation will last an hour, followed by some time for questions.

Register on Facebook or at refugeelanguage.org/state-of-the-union/. #rlp_feature

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Dec 16

Friendship. #rlp_feature

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Feb 27

"Birds of a feather flock together." Does your flock look and act only like you? How can you learn about others, and from others, unless you spend time with their flocks. We want to break down barriers between peoples, because this is how real growth and change takes place in our communities! During our first week of Table Talk, we shared the following Somali proverb:

Shimbirba shimbirkisu la duulaa. "Each bird flies with its own kind." Do you only fly with your own kind? If so, it is likely that you have false assumptions about other flocks. Table Talk is the best place to learn the truth. #rlp_feature

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Dec 19

Did you know that there is a large contingent of Somali Bantu people in Amarillo? You might also hear them called Zigula (a tribe name) or Mushungulu. They are ethnically distinct, having originally come from other places such as Tanzania. They speak a different language called Maay.

This week Dr. Salad and I had the privilege of serving as liaisons between Travis Middle School and the Somali Bantu community. What a great opportunity to welcome these elders of the Bantu community to meet the leadership of the school. It was extraordinary to watch this dialogue begin!

Kudos to the principals at Travis for listening well and finding creative solutions to community issues! #rlp_feature

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Nov 12

Mugisha and Samuel are leading the way to mentor the Congolese and Sudanese youth in our city. Be encouraged at the great stuff that is happening! #rlp_feature

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May 23

@dailylifeofreed uses her skills as a photographer to bless two Somali families. Here she shows Nastexo a graduation photo she took. You don't have to be a linguist or a teacher to help with the Refugee Language Project. Let us know what you can do! Use your gifts to serve our city and our world. #rlp_feature

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Nov 14

We welcomed Mayor Nelson as our guest speaker at Table Talk last month. Not only did she come with a posture of kindness and humility, but she also opened up the floor for questions. One man stood up and asked about a train that constantly blocks their path to work and the mosque. All the Somali men nodded in acknowledgement, but none of us had heard anything about this! Another man asked about the difficulties he faces at the airport due to the fact that Somali names confound ticketing agents and baggage handlers. Throughout all of this time, Mayor Nelson took notes so that she could follow up with each issue raised. Afterward, she shook hands and took phone numbers. We're bringing refugees to a place at the table.

We're reminding them that they have not lost their voices along with their homes.

Read more in our November newsletter. Find the link on our Facebook page. #rlp_feature

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Oct 3

Food is an equalizer of humanity: We all have to eat. So when we sit down and share a meal together, partaking in each other's cuisines, it produces a unique bond. Peace comes when we break bread together. At Table Talk, we do just that. Macaroni & cheese next to rice with goat meat, two cultures collide at the table. Healthy integration doesn't require uniformity; it requires us to embrace our uniqueness and celebrate it. Let's celebrate again on October 14! #rlp_feature

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Oct 9

Change doesn't happen overnight. It happens in homes, around dinner tables, and at market entrances. In order to address the systemic misunderstandings on all sides, we have to start with relationships. Burmese people need to develop trust for police officers. Somali women need to develop trust for male medical professionals. First responders need to know how to enter refugee homes with respect and care. These large-scale issues aren't solved by conferences or flyers; they're solved by trust that is built within individual relationships. Table Talk is the first step down the path of large-scale cultural healing. (Photo credit: @jackie_nammathao_photography ) #rlp_feature

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Oct 11

Shukri hopes to become a citizen soon. Then she dreams of finishing her GED and becoming a phlebotomist. But how? Join us this Sunday as we introduce our new friends to administration at Amarillo College. We'll also share a meal and chat with one another about educational experiences, expectations, and goals. #rlp_feature

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Dec 7

From war-torn Congo to the High Plains of Texas, this guy has conquered every obstacle he's faced. Now he's working for the school district, helping us mentor refugee youth, and reading every book he can get his hands on. His journey will inspire you, but it's far from over. Samuel doesn't stop when he reaches his goals. He just sets bigger goals. He's leaving his mark on this city, and on our hearts.

Be on the lookout for our annual newsletter in your mailboxes later this month. In it, you'll learn much more about Samuel's inspirational story. #rlp_feature

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Feb 7

If you could ask a refugee any question, what would it be? If you could encourage them in any way, what would you say? Tomorrow night is our panel discussion! Come on out to hear directly from the immigrants of our city. Let me know if you have a particular question you'd like me to ask them. You won't want to miss this! Our four panelists have earned my respect and adoration, and they'll earn yours too. 6-7:30 pm at 3508 NE 24th. #rlp_feature

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Apr 22

Recently a volunteer attended Table Talk and remarked about their absolute surprise at the interaction between men and women. This person has spent a lot of time in Africa, and has never in his life seen Somali women look so comfortable, confident, and friendly with men. Yet here, American men are sitting down and coaching them in literacy and citizenship!

Just today, our student Shukri called me with news that she passed her citizenship exam. Shukri has spent countless hours with Adrian and other men and women over the past year, dutifully reviewing and practicing.

Today we celebrate Shukri, as well as the fact that our project brings together many unlikely friends. #rlp_feature

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Sep 18

On Saturday night we met with the Chin communities of Amarillo in order to facilitate a dialogue about their dreams for the future. We broke up into four small groups in order to discuss their experiences and ideas for the future. Facilitators asked questions and scribes took notes, which will be compiled into a comprehensive report after we meet with more groups. We'll unpack more of this first meeting of the semester over the coming week, but check out our September newsletter (link in bio) to know more!

What an exciting time to live in Amarillo! #rlp_feature

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Sep 19

During our dialogue with the Chin, after we split into small discussion groups, we came back together to debrief. We plotted their experiences on a poster at the front, comparing the past (how things were back home) with the present (how things are now). This helped to prepare participants to break up into small groups a second time and discuss the future (how things could be). You see, many cultures around the world are not future-oriented. In fact, many languages do not have a future tense encoded in their grammar. They can't grammatically talk about the future as a definite reality. This often correlates with a worldview that emphasizes reality (realis) over what isn't real (irrealis). The future is conceived of as a hypothetical realm.

There isn't anything wrong with this worldview. In fact, it's an honest and humble outlook! One downside, though, is that it produces cultural norms that do not actively try to change the status quo. This is fatalism. "It is how it is." We are trying to encourage local refugee communities to believe in a better future. Things can change. They can change their own future. #rlp_feature

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Sep 20

This is the third post in a series about our dialogue with the Chin people last Saturday night.

During our discussions, our volunteers took detailed notes. They were instructed not to write down our thoughts and ideas, but only what Chin people had to say. After we've met with a number of other local groups, we will compile our findings into a comprehensive report detailing the concerns and hopes of the refugee communities of Amarillo.

Listening is hard. I wanted so badly to interject my own feelings and ideas! Yet by providing a platform to highlight their voices, we are honoring their dignity. They need to know they're being heard. #rlp_feature

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Aug 4

The lessons must be successful, because the group now has nine students! ⠀
⠀
Later, I spent three hours learning Somali from a dear friend. Imagine how overlooked a Somali man tends to feel here, where so much of what he knows is out of place. So when I sit and listen to his stories, and ask him questions about his language and culture, I watch him visibly inflate. He's proud. He's not just another refugee. He's a man with a story, a story that needs a voice. #rlp_feature

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May 14

The purpose of Table Talk is to connect families. These families have established a friendship over shared interests. Jennifer and Kenneth even facilitated the donation of a piano so that their new friends' children can learn the piano. Who knows how music might bring opportunity and life into this Burmese family's home! #rlp_feature

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Jan 23

It's time to celebrate! Our dear friend Seng passed her citizenship exam on Tuesday, and on the same day took her oath. She is our newest American citizen! Thank you Stefanie for your months of mentorship so Seng was ready for this special day!

If you'd like to join our Face to Face program and mentor a refugee, just let us know! #rlp_feature

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Jan 27

Celebrating Karen New Year a couple weeks ago with Naw Win Win and her husband Saw Soe Min. We love this family. #rlp_feature

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