new volunteer position

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:45 am

Oh boy I have sunk myself deep into this one.

I have signed on for a 1 year term with a new family from Afghanastan. I am what is called a host volunteer, I basically am to visit them 1 day a week and help them get into the "Canadian" way. Welll this family is going to be challenging. There is 6 of them. They come from a farming community, they arrived here on refugee status. Our government will pay their way for 1 year then they are tossed to the wolves. (very scarey really) Well the father has the equivalent of a grade 5 education, the mother has none and is illiterate. They have a 15 year old daughter who is in ESL (english as a second language) she tested at s grade 4 level. She is stunningly pretty and very shy. Second born child their son is 13 he speaks.... some english, and my guess is he has the potential to do well as he has been here since Sept of 2005 and he is the communicator of the family as best as he can be. (yeah and we think we have it bad huh) then there is an 8 year old son, and a 1 year old son. They basically want me to help them with English. The parents await admission to English school. Then things will improve.

I have to start at the very beginning with... the alphabet, and childrens picture books. Telling them how to say things like thank you, hello, please, what time is it, where is this or that. Show them how to catch the bus, how to read the routes. It sounds challenging, but how bleak and issolated can this be coming here with no skills, no english and trying to function. They seem very very nice and greatful.

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:56 am

How very generous of you to commit to such a demanding position. I'm sure you will be greatly enriched by the experience and hope you'll be able to share some of your successes with us. Good luck and bless you and them.

Hazel · Post by **Hazel** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:00 am

Wow!!! That sounds like a challenge and a half! Is this your first time or have you done this sort of thing before?? It must be very rewarding but a lot of hard work. That must be a horrible position to be in, knowing that at the end of the year they are completely on their own. Thank gawd for people like you though, or they wouldnt stand a chance!

Good luck!

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:05 am

Hazel wrote: Wow!!! That sounds like a challenge and a half! Is this your first time or have you done this sort of thing before?? It must be very rewarding but a lot of hard work. That must be a horrible position to be in, knowing that at the end of the year they are completely on their own. Thank gawd for people like you though, or they wouldnt stand a chance!

Good luck!

this is my second assignment first one was easier as the father spoke some english and improved as time went on. I guess I can say I have a little experience with this because as a kid I had to try and converse with my hungarian granny who as she aged lost all command of english (i never learned hungarian) and I work with mostly russian staff so I know to be patient and listen and let them finish and then try to work with them repeatedly. I look forward to the challenge.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:11 am

Minks if anyone can do it you can...!@! BRAVO..IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.. :yh_worshp

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:13 am

CARLA wrote: Minks if anyone can do it you can...!@! BRAVO..IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.. :yh_worshp

aw shucks thanks Carla, I am going to look online for those alphabet writing letter sheet things we had in pre-school, and I am putting up little notices all over the malls for kids book donations this weekend.

Lil~Basco · Post by **Lil~Basco** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:14 am

minks wrote: this is my second assignment first one was easier as the father spoke some english and improved as time went on. I guess I can say I have a little experience with this because as a kid I had to try and converse with my hungarian granny who as she aged lost all command of english (i never learned hungarian) and I work with mostly russian staff so I know to be patient and listen and let them finish and then try to work with them repeatedly. I look forward to the challenge.
And you'll do great minks! :-6

How grand that you can be of assistance and help these people! Fantastic!

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:15 am

Lil~Basco wrote: And you'll do great minks! :-6

How grand that you can be of assistance and help these people! Fantastic!

Thanks Lil B. I just seem to have the volunteer itch all the time

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:55 am

I am curious about how these individual families are selected. There are so many refugees, why this particular family. Also, what is it that the Canadian Gov. expects to happen in one year of support? Is it likely the male head of household find suitable work in one year to support his family? New Zealand brings in various families from South Pacific Islands in similar fashion, however they seem to remain on the Dole forever.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:49 pm

I think you'll do great Minks.

Your truely a nice person to volunteer your time for such a big task.

jennyswan · Post by **jennyswan** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:13 pm

Good Luck Minks, what a really worth while project. That would also be something that I would like to do. I must find out if that is possible over here.

My hubby is german and what he found helpful when learning english was to listen to those cassettes they make for children. You know the ones where you have a book and a cassette that goes with it. They are not as expensive or as boring as those language ones you can buy in the book stores.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:36 pm

Lon wrote: I am curious about how these individual families are selected. There are so many refugees, why this particular family. Also, what is it that the Canadian Gov. expects to happen in one year of support? Is it likely the male head of household find suitable work in one year to support his family? New Zealand brings in various families from South Pacific Islands in similar fashion, however they seem to remain on the Dole forever.

Well being as they come on refugee status the government is very helpful they offer free ESL (english as a second language) free funding to put anyone through school, yes the goal is to turn them into supporting Canadian citizens. How they get selected to have a host, it is by application. The family applies to the Catholic Immigration Society and the CIS then searches it's volunteer database for a match of sorts. Yes the chance of them going on the Dole is high, but our goal is to try and prevent that. Here in Calgary they are screaming for employees, the hugest barrier is the language. Such a pity as many of these folks want to work. Learning English seems to be more frustrating than anything I have ever seen.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:37 pm

Sheryl wrote: I think you'll do great Minks.

Your truely a nice person to volunteer your time for such a big task.

thank you Sheryl

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:39 pm

jennyswan wrote: Good Luck Minks, what a really worth while project. That would also be something that I would like to do. I must find out if that is possible over here.

My hubby is german and what he found helpful when learning english was to listen to those cassettes they make for children. You know the ones where you have a book and a cassette that goes with it. They are not as expensive or as boring as those language ones you can buy in the book stores.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

thanks Jenny another great idea, I have you, sheryl and CG just chalked full of help so any time anyone wants to pitch out an idea I am all ears hehehe I will get the tape and book sets some how some way. I think i need to get my family into the library where they can borrow these. Ooo another lesson, library.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:40 pm

mrsK wrote: That is one of the nicest things I have heard.Good for you minks:-4

What an amazing ,caring person you must be:-6

Aww thanks

I took literacy training back before my divorce and was qualified to aid problem children in reading but sadly had to go back to work full time, but perhaps my training will come in handy now.

Gosh you all make me blush hehehe

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:41 pm

SnoozeControl wrote: You're a peach, Minks.:-4

Can I immigrate to Canada and get government funding to learn the new language?

can ya plead refugee status ahahaha i have a free bedroom available hahahahaha

yeah ok snooze you can learn Canadian English what a chore that will be ahahahaha

Goof.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:49 pm

SnoozeControl wrote: Eh?

there ya go you met the criteria, pack your bags the door to canada is open ahahaha

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:50 pm

jennyswan wrote: Good Luck Minks, what a really worth while project. That would also be something that I would like to do. I must find out if that is possible over here.

My hubby is german and what he found helpful when learning english was to listen to those cassettes they make for children. You know the ones where you have a book and a cassette that goes with it. They are not as expensive or as boring as those language ones you can buy in the book stores.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

contact your church or immigration department.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:02 pm

mrsK wrote: That is how I first started getting into the school system here I went to help with reading classes & from there to working with special needs kids & from there hopefully counselling in the school system:-6

that is awesome. I would have loved to have persued the school avenue, but when it came to earning my way I had to fall back on my skills in O & G. But hey I can always keep volunteering.

jennyswan · Post by **jennyswan** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:06 pm

contact your church or immigration department.

I'll try that. I'll let you know how it goes

To learn to understand a language there is nothing better than T.V. Honestly!!

I learned lots of german that way.

For shopping: there was an old lady who lived above me in Germany and she couldn't go shopping on her own so I would go to help. She spoke no english and my german was no good at the time. She was a bit deaf.

Anyway she would go around the supermarket and take the things into her hand and say it really loudly (as she was a bit deaf) and then I would have to repeat after her and she would stand there until I got it right. It was a bit mortifying in the beginning because I had to shout it back at here because of her hearing problem.

After a few days everyone in the village know I was the irish girl learning german and they were all so helpful. It was quite sweet really.

I speak fluent german now. :-4

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:13 pm

jennyswan wrote: I'll try that. I'll let you know how it goes

To learn to understand a language there is nothing better than T.V. Honestly!!

I learned lots of german that way.

For shopping: there was an old lady who lived above me in Germany and she couldn't go shopping on her own so I would go to help. She spoke no english and my german was no good at the time. She was a bit deaf.

Anyway she would go around the supermarket and take the things into her hand and say it really loudly (as she was a bit deaf) and then I would have to repeat after her and she would stand there until I got it right. It was a bit mortifying in the beginning because I had to shout it back at here because of her hearing problem.

After a few days everyone in the village know I was the irish girl learning german and they were all so helpful. It was quite sweet really.

I speak fluent german now. :-4

so I may learn persian or Farsi as I teach english hmmm cool idea.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:49 pm

minks wrote: so I may learn persian or Farsi as I teach english hmmm cool idea.

I met with my new family last nite and it was awesome. The very shy and quiet children were fantastic. All 3 can communicate with me relatively easy, they do wonderful translation for their parents. Dad is enthusiastic as heck about learning and loves Canada. Even mom was trying (typical muslim tradition the woman remain in the background, but she tried)

The oldest daughter is a gem, just a sponge to learn, the oldest son same, but is a quick learner. They all tried. We had post it notes all over the place with items written in english. It was Great. The kids just delved into the books I brought so last nite I bought a bunch of second hand kids books at the library, (rejects) and will give them to the kids next meet up next week.

Ahhh it was fun, they fed me and showed me photos and it was fantastic. I can't wait for next weeks meet.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:03 pm

minks wrote: I met with my new family last nite and it was awesome. The very shy and quiet children were fantastic. All 3 can communicate with me relatively easy, they do wonderful translation for their parents. Dad is enthusiastic as heck about learning and loves Canada. Even mom was trying (typical muslim tradition the woman remain in the background, but she tried)

The oldest daughter is a gem, just a sponge to learn, the oldest son same, but is a quick learner. They all tried. We had post it notes all over the place with items written in english. It was Great. The kids just delved into the books I brought so last nite I bought a bunch of second hand kids books at the library, (rejects) and will give them to the kids next meet up next week.

Ahhh it was fun, they fed me and showed me photos and it was fantastic. I can't wait for next weeks meet.

Woohoo I'm so excited for you. Keep us posted on their story. I'm really interested.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:53 am

This is a very cool thing to do minksy. Selfless, yet Im guessing youll be rewarded in ways you cant imagine. Nice ! :-4

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:00 am

Wow that is so generous of u Minks, putting out your own time to help others. That must be such a brilliant feeling, being able to spend time with the family, and being able to make such a positive impact in their lives.

You are a gem Minks, I sincerely hope that u continue to enjoy your time with them, as I'm sure you will!! :-4 :yh_clap

cars · Post by **cars** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:49 am

Wow minks that's great, there ought to be more people in the world like you!!!

You certainly can be proud of yourself, I know your FG family is!

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:55 am

cars wrote: Wow minks that's great, there ought to be more people in the world like you!!!

You certainly can be proud of yourself, I know your FG family is!

thanks again you guys.

this is why we get our posts so high we have great friends among FG to chat up a storm with