F
aye’s globetrotting experiences seem like quite an accomplishment considering she is a retired public school teacher. But as you soon find out, with this 70-year-old, life is about living right here, right now. Faye’s interest in all things global began as a child. Social studies was always one of her favorite subjects. In her tenure as a teacher at Sharon Road Elementary, she found many English as a second language students (ESL) were placed in her classroom. She served as the instructional facilitator for all ESL instructors at Quail Hollow Middle School, and helped develop the international studies program at Independence High School. She always has considered it a personal challenge to find the right combination of charades and learning materials that “make the light bulbs go off.” This was one of the main reasons Millie Cox, fellow Myers Park Presbyterian member, approached Faye. Millie asked her if she could help teach English to the Lembi family – Christian, his wife LaBlonde, their daughters Grace and Sarah, their son Brahan, and baby Mike – fellow members who are from the Congo. Faye said, “Millie is fluent in French but I hadn’t had it since high school. I agreed though because I knew the Lembis could not get better jobs until they could improve their English.” The lessons began with a basic textbook and discussions using everyday words like work, doctor and grocery store. Soon, however, Faye soon found herself striving for fresh ways to interest
the family members of all ages. She tried to focus on ways that would help them better understand daily activities such as a map and bus schedule. Then they graduated to the kitchen and prepared a healthy meal since LaBlonde has high blood pressure. One of the highlights of their weekly lessons occurred when Faye brought a book on Charlotte that was translated into five languages including French and English. The Lembis were fascinated by the pictures of Founders Hall so Faye decided to take them on a walking tour of uptown Charlotte. The family did everything from having their pictures made in the Wells Fargo Museum stagecoach to exploring the Founders Hall atrium. “It’s one of the greatest joys to see their knowledge of English grow and share in their excitement over what they are learning,” said Faye. She quickly adds that the learning experience goes both ways. “The Lembis are facing all of these challenges but they still have such a strong faith. Whenever I help Christian, he jumps up, hugs me and says God bless you. He tells me over and over ‘I have to learn.’” It is that kind of eagerness that inspired Faye to return quickly to tutoring after her 2012 diagnosis and treatment of cancer. “I felt like I needed to get back to it. The Lembis were relying on me and it made me want to regain my health as quickly as possible,” said Faye. The health scare has not limited Faye. She recently selected and catalogued books for the Billingsville library and toured a Malawian guest through Grier Heights. Faye also began tutoring an adult in weekly reading lessons and continues regular visits with her Church Friend. Not to mention continuing her travels. Faye just returned from Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands and is planning a fall trip to Morocco with the Charlotte World Affairs Council. “I am travelling while I can. There is a big world out there and I think it helps you understand how many similarities there really are between people. If I hadn’t had these international experiences, I am not sure I would have felt up to tutoring the Lembis. And I would have missed out on one of the greatest blessings of my life,” she said.
READY TO BRING THE WORLD TO YOUR BACK DOOR? There are many ways to get involved in global outreach here and abr oad.
FIND OU T MORE AT ser ve.myersparkpres.org
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