Serving Arizona Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
August - September 2018 • Vol 44 • No 4 • Est 1975
LDS Interfaith Partnership Gives Empowerment and Hope to Valley Refugees and Immigrants
Build Someone Up By Merry Gordon
The Arizona Beehive
“Why?”
It’s a warm day in May and Jumaah Abdel-ghani, a Syrian refugee learning English with the help of volunteers at the Islamic Community Center of Tempe, is frowning as he reads a group of words in a list. “Why,” repeats ASU student and volunteer Mia Spare. “Why . . . .” She waits for the moment of understanding when the man connects the word with the idea behind it. That moment comes. Jumaah’s face instantly brightens as he mock frowns and points a finger at Mia. “Why! Why you no come last week?” he asks. “I had finals!” Mia laughs, as delighted with his pretended attack as she is with his correct application of the word. Scenes like these are common. The Islamic Community Center of Tempe is the site of a fruitful partnership between volunteers from the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and volunteers from US UNITED, an ASU student-run charity dedicated to helping local refugees. Here, and at other locations in the Valley, volunteers help immigrants and refugees adapt to life in the United States. Programs established at the Mesa Welcome Center are part of a Church initiative to aid refugees and immigrants across all cultures and faiths. Tutoring in reading and writing, cultural literacy classes and legal help are among the services provided at these centers. Services are offered free without regard to religion, nationality or race and focus on getting families to learn with one another. At the Mesa Welcome Center, adult immigrants attend reading classes while their children choose from music lessons— Continued on pg. 3
Photo by Robin Finlinson
The Abdel-ghanis (center), Syrian refugees and English language learners, are surrounded by the love and support of US UNITED as they transition into a new life in America.
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