Valletta, Malta :: Crewmembers had the privilege to facilitate English classes for a group of refugees.
Crewmembers had the privilege to facilitate English classes for a group of refugees. The two classes, one intermediate class and one beginner class, were led by onboard teachers and assisted by other crewmembers on a regular basis in a volunteer centre.
When the crewmembers got to meet the classes, the language barrier seemed challenging but, as Eric Unruh (USA) explains, “We had no trouble getting the men involved as they were just as eager to learn as we were to teach. Overall, teaching these Sudanese refugees was a wonderful experience because we were able to help a group struggling to get jobs in an English-speaking context.”
Head teacher Jan Arrowsmith (England) adds, “It has been an amazing opportunity – the gift of education is huge. Our input into the lives of these men will give them the motivation to keep studying, which will change their lives because they'll be able to get better jobs. I've just been so overwhelmed by the warmth of their relationships with us; that they've accepted us so eagerly and so well. We've made heart links with them, which I'll never forget. It's certainly been the highlight of my time on board Logos Hope!”
Committee member of the NGO Sudanese Community Malta, Haida Bashir says, “We are so excited and we are so happy about this experience with the Logos Hope crewmembers. The English lessons are really beneficial – the men coming here started literally from the scratch and I feel that they improved. There is a real change and the classes really gave them a good push up to learn English. You opened the door for them and we will promise to continue teaching them like the Logos Hope crewmembers did.”