Abilene Church Begins English Classes For Refugees To Meet Heavy Demands
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: August 15, 2012
Ther'es been a large increase in refugees coming to Abilene during the past five years.
Many of them come without knowing English.
There is one church in Abilene that has now opened its doors providing lessons and they're asking for the communities help to meet the growing demand.
It's become the key city for many refugees.
"They come from Burundi, Congo, Rwanda and also Kenya," said Joseph Ruberintwari.
Their first goal- to learn English.
"People, they cant even read the bible or they cant help themselves to read like the bills," said Ruberintwari.
Ruberintwari is a pastor at the International Evangelical Church and has begun offering lessons to over 100 members.
He came as a refugee himself and knows first hand about the importance of knowing the native language.
Consessa Maukamwiza is came to Abilene over a year ago to escape her native land.
She's trying to learn English so she can get a steady job.
"It's the key to survive and to live here as well as get a job and communicate. So I need help teach as many people as I can," she said.
The African native also provides sewing lessons to other refugees so they can find ways to make due.
However, shes seen a need to meet the large demands of a growing population.
"I need more machines, I only have one and the one I have sometimes breaks," said Maukamwiza
Ruberintwari is grateful for all he's received here and wants to ensure he and his members have a way to give back.
"We see that they have a vibrancy and also we see that they may help themselves, to that's our main goal," he said.
Ruberintwari says they've seen the need to provide lessons on weekends, since many organizations only offer lessons on weekdays.
They're asking for any help with volunteers to teach English, or even help with purchasing new sewing machines for lessons.
The church meets at the South Side Baptist Church in Abilene.
Many of them come without knowing English.
There is one church in Abilene that has now opened its doors providing lessons and they're asking for the communities help to meet the growing demand.
It's become the key city for many refugees.
"They come from Burundi, Congo, Rwanda and also Kenya," said Joseph Ruberintwari.
Their first goal- to learn English.
"People, they cant even read the bible or they cant help themselves to read like the bills," said Ruberintwari.
Ruberintwari is a pastor at the International Evangelical Church and has begun offering lessons to over 100 members.
He came as a refugee himself and knows first hand about the importance of knowing the native language.
Consessa Maukamwiza is came to Abilene over a year ago to escape her native land.
She's trying to learn English so she can get a steady job.
"It's the key to survive and to live here as well as get a job and communicate. So I need help teach as many people as I can," she said.
The African native also provides sewing lessons to other refugees so they can find ways to make due.
However, shes seen a need to meet the large demands of a growing population.
"I need more machines, I only have one and the one I have sometimes breaks," said Maukamwiza
Ruberintwari is grateful for all he's received here and wants to ensure he and his members have a way to give back.
"We see that they have a vibrancy and also we see that they may help themselves, to that's our main goal," he said.
Ruberintwari says they've seen the need to provide lessons on weekends, since many organizations only offer lessons on weekdays.
They're asking for any help with volunteers to teach English, or even help with purchasing new sewing machines for lessons.
The church meets at the South Side Baptist Church in Abilene.
