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?

Support the Refugee Language Project
with recurring or one-time financial contributions.

Social Media

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

Get Involved!

Discover an exciting world of language and culture!

Volunteer, join our prayer team, or catch the recent news from the blog.

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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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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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Aug 21

When he was young, Samuel's father died of alcoholism—like so many men facing the pain of a country in turmoil. And like so many children, Samuel dropped out of school to care for his family. Thankfully, a pastor, wanting to give him another chance, paid Samuel's school fees. Samuel took that opportunity and ran with it, completing grade after grade and learning English in the process. Samuel's past proved that he wouldn't waste an opportunity. I wish that pastor could see Samuel now.

Samuel and I prayed together on my porch, asking God to provide for him and impact the world through him. Then I told him I'd be paying him over three times his current hourly wage. He broke down in tears expressing his thankfulness. For the first time, Samuel's skills were being recognized—he speaks French, Kinyamulenge, Swahili, and English. He is also certified in phlebotomy, as an EKG technician, and is taking computer systems courses. I told him how important he is in our city and our world. I reminded him that he has been blessed in order to be a blessing to those around him. Don't hoard the blessings!

Read the rest of this amazing story in our next newsletter in your inbox Monday morning. #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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Jul 9

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May 19

Check out our May newsletter. The link is in the bio, but here are a couple quotes: "…it has been abundantly clear that our network of deep relationships with key refugee leaders has immeasurable value. When the chips are down, it's relational trust that gets us through. This runs contrary to the public's expectations of many organizations like ours. So many nonprofit organizations feel pressure to offer large programs filled with anonymous masses of people. Yet relational trust with a few people is vastly more powerful." "When the city had urgent need for a team of interpreters who had full-time availability, we went back to this same network. … And it paid off. Every interpreter has been a big help to the health department. For each one, this is not just a job; it's an opportunity to help their own communities! Their leaders asked them to serve, and so they are doing so diligently and proudly." #rlp_feature

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Jun 18

Tune in to our Panhandle Refugee Celebration this Saturday to learn about my friend Omar. He's a small business owner and community leader who serves refugees everyday.

Listen to him talk about the Somali entrepreneurial spirit, how his store serves as a makeshift community center, and about how special it was to buy his own house last year. Omar has put down deep roots in Texas, and you won't want to miss his story. #rlp_feature

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Jun 19

When you watch the Panhandle Refugee Celebration tomorrow, you'll learn about my friend Thepha (TAY-paw). Thepha is a pastor who serves Karen refugees. He connects well with them because he is from Thailand, where many Karen refugees (from Burma) lived in refugee camps. You'll hear about how Thepha has a law degree, but gave up his professional career to serve others.

Thepha is ethnically Lao. People often look at him and assume that he's a refugee in need of help. In reality, he is the one offering help. I'm excited about this interview, because it dismantles our stereotypes of refugee-sending countries. Even though Thepha comes from a country which has sent many refugees, he himself has never been one. What he gave up, he did so voluntarily! Take the time to learn someone's story before making assumptions about them. #rlp_feature

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Jun 29

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Jun 17

Tune in to Saturday's virtual Panhandle Refugee Celebration to learn about my friend Diana, from South Sudan. She was forced to flee civil war in her beautiful homeland, before being forced to flee a second time as Hurricane Rita landed in Houston. This woman and her family have overcome obstacle after obstacle. Yet they haven't just survived, they've thrived. Those obstacles have built in them a testimony, and with it the fruit of joy. No one epitomizes joy like Diana.

Smile and cry with me as you hear this woman tell part of her story this Saturday at 2 PM on Panhandle PBS, then on Facebook at 7 PM. An encore viewing will be available on PBS at 4 PM on Sunday as well. #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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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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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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Mar 19

Mohinga soup, laughter, and rice mats. #rlp_feature

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Apr 18

The weather prevented many people from attending last week, but those who came benefitted tremendously. This week we've advertised Table Talk much more widely, because our 55 volunteers are eager to serve the refugees of our city! Relationships are forming, and this city will change for the better because of it. #rlp_feature

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Apr 30

Seng has come to practice English each Saturday, but this week she brought her husband Mung Ra. What a blessing to see husband and wife studying shoulder to shoulder at Table Talk! #rlp_feature

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May 3

It's not complicated. By showing up and smiling, we send a strong message. You are welcome in this place. We're proud you're our neighbors. You have a name. #rlp_feature

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Jul 30

Byamungu is having a great time practicing English with Jenn! They were discussing how difficult it is in America to be honest without hurting people's feelings. At the Howard Center we offer 1-on-1 tutoring as we build relationships with the newcomers to our city. Our schedule has changed! We're currently open on Thursdays from 11-1 and 5-7. #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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Aug 1

Do you remember Mathias? After he began attending my church last summer, I started helping him with his English. Though we couldn't communicate with words, we quickly became friends through gestures and smiles. Soon though, his wife had a medical emergency. This allowed me to teach him some medical vocabulary so he could communicate with doctors. I was also able to get her into a specialist, and coach her about prescription dosages. Then our church family came around them and brought them meals! And do you know what happened? Mathias started talking! He had developed almost no oral English proficiency in 6 years in the USA, and now he was greeting people left and right. What he needed most wasn't English grammar lessons. It was a friendship where he could make mistakes without fear. He needed confidence. Well, I've missed Mathias greatly since he moved to Nashville late last year. Today though, he called me! I couldn't believe my ears as we carried on a 10 minute phone call! Not only has his English improved exponentially, but he's leveraged that into a job. What an encouragement it is to play a small role in getting this Congolese man back onto his own two feet. Mathias was the inspiration for our Face to Face program, and you can see why. All this success, and do you want to know how many total times we met together? 15. Only 15 times. A lifelong payoff from a short-term weekly commitment. #rlp_feature

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