By Cheryl Bourass | Program Manager
All too often, students lose academic ground over the summer. This is especially true for students who are still learning English and whose parents often do not have strong English language skills. New American Africans steps in to try to minimize this slippage by meeting students where they tend to congregate, at a park in the neighborhood where many families live, and bringing books to them.
We come with lots of books, at many different reading levels, plenty of good food, a basket full of board games and a cadre of host community volunteers. New American youth read out loud to a host community student who received training on how to ask probing questions that ensure comprehension. They move on to playing games, all the while speaking in English. Friendships are made and our youth coordinator has a chance to check in with students, catching any issues before they have time to build into problems. At the end of the program, those students who were faithful participants went with us to Gunstock, a local ski area that has an adventure park open during the summer. Students and volunteers had a chance to test themselves on a treetop aerial adventure course. They took full advantage of the mountain roller coaster, the bungee jumpers, and the kayaks. While this was another chance to practice speaking English, it was heartwarming to see some of the older, more established new American youth step up to make sure that newcomers who still have very limited English could fully participate and have great fun with the whole group.
Frank is one of the older students that we can always count on. His English has improved dramatically; he liked to read the sports pages from the New York Times during our literacy sessions, eagerly absorbing new vocabulary. Like so many of the youth with whom we work, only his mom received a visa to come to the United States as a refugee; his dad is still in Africa. His goal is to do great in school and then he wants to train to be a plumber. He intends to earn enough money to buy a home for his mom because that is what he knows she deserves. Concord, NH is lucky to have him in our community!
Our trip to Gunstock marked our last day with Ayi, our youth coordinator for the past two years. He is moving on, getting reading to apply to graduate school. We will sorely miss him, but we look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes.
By Cheryl Bourassa | Program Manager
By Cheryl Bourassa | Program Manager
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