AMMAN, Jordan (Holy Land).
This is an impressive story of the valuable work done in Amman by two members of the Teresian Association (TA) and another person at the Pontifical Library, where they welcome, support, and offer English classes. The gratitude of the refugees is enormous.
When Jordan opened its doors to refugees fleeing from Iraq and Syria, the Pontifical Mission Library did the same by providing a welcoming home for themto feel safe and comfortable. Most of these refugees, having registered at the office of the United Nations High Commissioner forRefugees (UNHCR) in Jordan are on-transit while waiting for their documents’ approval, then move on to their host country. UNHCR is the UN agency whose mandate is to ensure the rights of people fleeing war and persecution, and to help them find solutions to their plight. Monthly, the number of refugees who flee increases.
Data that show the magnitude of the problem
Citing from the speech of UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – at the press briefing, on 23 September 2014, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva: "In Jordan, UNHCR has witnessed a sharp increase in Iraqi refugees in recent weeks with 60 per cent of them citing fears of ISIS as the reason for their flight. In August and September, on average, 120 Iraqis per day have registered with UNHCR in Jordan, up from 65 per day in June and July and just 30 per day in the first five months of 2014. Almost two thirds of new arrivals (60 per cent) hail from ISIS-controlled areas in Ninevah, Salah Al Din and Anbar governorates. Refugees report their homes being burned, threat of forced conversion to Islam, fears of forced marriage, kidnapping and public threats. The rest of the newly arriving refugees in Jordan have fled sectarian violence in Baghdad and Basra… So far this year, 10,644 Iraqi refugees have registered with UNHCR in Jordan, with 1,383 registering in August alone – the highest monthly tally of new registrations since 2007."
According to 2015 UNHCR country operations profile – Jordan: As of 31 July, nearly 30,000 Iraqis were registered with UNHCR; the majority from Baghdad. To this date, some have already migrated to their host countries.
Since 2014, members of the Teresian Association in Jordan, Elisa Estrada and Amabel Sibug, with the help of a Pre-ACIT, Elham Hanania, organized an educative program for the refugees and turned the library into a “Virtual Learning Camp”. By early 2015, the project which was originally a free course on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Conversational English, attended by 17 Iraqi adults, grew into a larger group of more than 60 adults and 150 children. As the numbers continued increasing, it was decided to divide the lessons into different ages and levels of understanding the English Language. After careful observation and evaluation, the classes were categorized into:
- a class for families where both parents and children have no knowledge of the English language
- a class for professionals in need to improve their language skills
- a class for adults with little background of the language
- a class for youth and adolescents with extra lessons on Catholic prayers
- a class for children handled by an Arabic speaking volunteer
While implementing the educational project, TA members also have to deal with the well-being of refugees, providing a place with a family ambiance. Thus, while learning, refugees receive counseling and guidance from the library staff, keeping them hopeful and regaining their dignity as human beings. Both adult and children value the experience which is a great boost to their morale, self esteem and self confidence – most of all strengthening their faith in the God of History. Families of the refugees and other institutions haveaffirmed the value of this educational project.
A ray of hope
In February the Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Mr. Andrew Bennet, came to have a personal feel of the refugees’ situation, encouraging and inspiring them –“to hold on to their faith despite their difficult situation.” There had been several interviews by the Canadian government representatives for those whose immigration papers were approved and ready to leave. The library became a place of hope. In mid-October a group of Americans connected with the Jordan Board of Tourism came to see the plight of the refugees and how Jordan is affected. They were accompanied with members of the Catholic Press representative, Christine Moore. It was a pleasant exchange of experiences among the refugees, the library staff, the guests and Mr. Raed Bahou, the Regional Director of the Pontifical Mission for Iraq and Jordan. The group expressed their gratitude to the TA members and the Pontifical Mission for providing such a venue to cater to the needs of some refugees, if only on a minimal scale. The tourism board asked Mr. Raed Bahou how they might be able to help. Their visit ended with a ray of hope for help and support for the refugees.
Help is needed
The library itself needs help and enjoy the generosity of some friends and benefactors by providing for the learning materials and incidental expenses.
Most grateful and appreciative of the project are from the class of professional adults as they moved on to a more formal Intermediate English and On-Line courses offered by the Jesuit Fathers at the Jesuit Center, next to the library. Several children are also integrated now in some private and government schools.
As a result, the constant echo we hearis gratitude: “You have helped me a lot; when I took the exam with the Jesuits, it was easy because I learned from the library the answers to thequestions they gave.” And from parents: “My son/daughter is doing good in his new school. He finds his English class not really difficult. Thank you for your help."
Education and human development are the best gift from the TA
There are more anecdotes of fruitful and joyful learning experiences happening at the “Virtual Learning Camp.” Surely as they are recounted, we are more convinced that education and human development is the best gift the Teresian Association can offer to the Jordanian society.
Text and Photos: Amabel Sibug