All the Colors of the World

Sometimes I forget what an amazing opportunity we have to impact the world through Spero:Voice.  But, then a night like tonight reminds me.  

A great group of students from OBU came down as usual for their Thursday night sessions of tutoring, homework help, and anything else that needs to be done.  And, a Creative Mentor was teaching her second week of class.  Also joining us were some friends who recently arrived back to the United States with newly adopted Congolese teenagers who want to learn English! 

What a sight to survey!  A group of kids from both Burma and The Congo learning colors and shapes by playing bingo were in the courtyard.   A very-newly resettled Burmese woman learning the most basic of English from her OBU tutor.  A group of three Iraqi women learning new words and so proud of themselves for using them correctly.  Oh, and they were working side-by-side with three Burmese ladies, too!  A precious young girl from Burma studying for an upcoming test with a tutor from OBU.  A young Russian boy working on his homework and getting help from his tutor.  And, the ladies on the end, working with their Creative Mentor. She was teaching some young Burmese ladies how to make jewelry stands–and they look so great!  Not to mention the kids playing in the courtyard, learning tic-tac-toe and other games.  

So, after things were over and everyone was just playing in the courtyard, I stood on the second story overlooking the kids and adults playing together.  I remembered the first time I rounded the corner to the apartment complex where so many refugees live.  It was like walking into a different world!  Just like this night–kids from: The Congo, Liberia, Sudan, Iraq, Burma, and Russia, all playing together and enjoying their new lives.  What a sight!

So, I breathed it in again (along with some wafts of Burmese fish soup!) and remembered how amazing this life is.  Thanks to everyone else who is a part of this community with us!

Women’s Conversational English Teacher Needed

We will provide you with the curriculum, the teacher’s guide, and the classroom space.  This is  a GREAT opportunity to meet women from all over the world and develop relationships with them.  They have some amazing stories of hope and determination and it’s fun to hear them as you help them learn English. 

Teacher is needed Mondays from 7-8:30.  Contact kim@thesperoproject.com if you’re interested.

Summer Program

This summer is going to be FULL of fun and education at Spero:Voice.  We’ll be organizing a summer program for the kids, giving them a place to gather and have fun together over the summer.  The best part is that it’s all education-based, so they’ll be playing games and doing activities that help them practice basic math and English skills to help them be more prepared for the upcoming school year!

If you want to be part of the fun, we could most definitely use your assistance!  The summer program will be running Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30a.m.-11:30p.m.  If you’re willing to volunteer one day/week from the 2nd week of June until the last week of July, please contact kim@thesperoproject.com.  Moms–you can bring your kids with you and they can participate with us!