Posts Tagged ‘obstacles’
The Lion’s Share
We met with 37 Somali leaders in order to collect their thoughts and ideas regarding four primary areas of concern.
Read MoreResettlement Timeline
In the previous post, I talked about the refugee resettlement—how it’s the least-preferred of several options. Today, I outline the rough timeline refugees face during their first five years in the USA. At the end, I mention how we can help refugees through relational language exposure. Timeline When a refugee has been assigned to…
Read MoreLocation Location Location: Difficulties with Church-Based ESL Programs
Church-Based ESL Programs For decades, Amarillo churches have answered the call to serve incoming refugees through English and citizenship classes. The sheer number of volunteers serving the refugee community in this city is mind-boggling! At Paramount Baptist Church alone, 80 volunteers arrive every Wednesday to serve 300 refugees through their LEAF program. As I visit…
Read MoreRevised Travel Ban and Amarillo’s Refugees
The Trump Administration’s revised travel ban went into effect last night. This temporary travel restriction prevents certain foreign nationals from entering the USA if they cannot prove they have a bona fide relationship with a school or job, or with a narrowly-defined list of close relatives. The restriction applies to residents of Libya, Syria, Yemen,…
Read MoreRefugees Learning English: Obstacles
One of the greatest needs in Amarillo is for refugees to learn English. We know it, and they know it too. In Amarillo, members of our community often complain about the poor English abilities of local refugees. Just talk with a nurse or a teacher, many of whom regularly call translation services for the simplest of communicative…
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