May 15, 2009
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!
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March 31, 2009
We had a visit from an amazing youth group from Arkansas last week, and we are so, so grateful for the work they did! This group gladly sorted and boxed our very UNorganized storage space into a wonderfully-manageable room with a place for everything! This is a tremendous blessing because we have a better understanding of our needs and we use far less time sorting through boxes to find items needed for families. But, beyond the tangible help, this group really brought another level of help to the families in the refugee community. There was an excitement and a hope that came with such a young and energetic group that started a buzz among the complex. Many families came to visit us during the project and several of the volunteers were invited into homes, given tea and snacks, and made some life-long friends!
We’re so appreciative of their efforts and wish them the best!!!
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February 24, 2009
Well, it’s been embarrassingly long since we’ve updated Spero:Voice! Apologies! But, it’s been a busy few weeks for us. We’ve seen great strides in employment of many men and women who are now able to sleep a little easier at night. We’ve held the first ever Ethnic Cooking Class, and I just can’t tell you how proud we are of Manzura and her teaching ability! And, we’ve celebrated the coming arrival of a new member of the Burmese community with a Baby Shower for Mai Wai and her little girl due in March. Special, special thanks to the wonderful ladies of First Baptist Oklahoma City for making that day as special as it was.
But, that’s not all the excitement! We’ve added so much to the Learning Center schedule, and are eagerly anticipating adding more. We’re now offering homework assistance to school-aged children every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and have begun a Women’s-Only Conversational English Program on Monday evenings. Last night, we welcomed Fatima to the class who is by far the most shy women I’ve ever met! We’ve seen her around many times and would love to talk to her, but she’s not too quick to speak. So, it was a great joy to have her feel comfortable enough to join us and made me very sure that blocking out some time for women only was the best move for our schedule. I know there will be more women who will attend only because they will not be learning with men.
So, you can see that the break from blogging was well worth it! Check back soon for more updates and for pictures from all the events I’ve just mentioned!
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January 21, 2009
Two Creative Mentors volunteered today to help some Burmese women learn a rubber-stamp technique for picture frames and the first steps of embroidery. The ladies picked up VERY quickly and they were so excited to have a creative outlet, a chance to talk to us and to each other, and a means to make a little money. The picture frames are going to hold their favorite Scriptures, written in Burmese! And the embroidery projects will all include phrases in Burmese, as well. Be sure to come to Wide Open Corners to purchase these items and more!
Thanks so much to all of our Creative Mentors. You have really been making a difference, one lady at a time. You definitely receive a stamp of approval from us!
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January 5, 2009
We’ve been so looking forward to a common space to teach English, job training skills, and to tutor students. It’s going to make Spero:Voice SO much more functional. Well, because of the unbelievable generosity of the apartment complex in which many of the refugee families live, the project is almost complete. They have done their part of renovating by installing heating and air, cable capabilities for internet use, and purchasing the paint and flooring. Now, it’s our turn! We are responsible for some dry-wall repair, painting, laying the flooring, and furnishing the space.
Work will be done all day and evening this Wednesday–Friday, the 7th, 8th, and 9th. If you’re interested in helping, please call Brad at 812-5595. We can’t wait to update you on all the exciting events occurring in the new space!
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December 1, 2008
We’ve really been blessed with favor from the owners and managers of the apartment complex in which most of the refugee population in OKC lives, and we’re blown away at how things are coming together for all of us with a common goal of improving the lives of these refugees through education and advocacy.
By the end of December, we should be able to hold job readiness classes, ESL classes, tutoring sessions and other activities in a newly remodeled classroom space. It will also be the site of a computer-based language lab so individuals can come in for extra help learning English.
The apartment complex has been so generous in taking charge of all the structural needs in the classroom and all the churches who are working together in use of the space are coming together to paint, lay tile, and furnish the place.
We can’t tell you how excited we are to have this resource! It will expand our ability to serve those living in the apartments and will give us a common place to gather for all events, eliminating any miscommunications due to language barriers due about meeting places.
We have a few needs related to this space. If you are able to fill any of these needs, please email kim@thesperoproject.com. Any help would be appreciated!
1. Laptop computers
2. An overhead projector and screen
3. Help laying tile, painting, or decorating!
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