Photo Credit: Sydney Adventist Communications
In a shy and cautious voice, Faten Abdallah, student in the Community English and Support Program at Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church, shares that she’s been attending English language classes at the church for about a month. When asked if she enjoys coming she responds, “Yes. I’ve learned and made friends. I’m meeting new people, and I practice English more. Coming here is a good opportunity.”
It’s Not Just English
And this opportunity is just the reason Auburn SDA Church member Antonina Kuharenko presented the idea of starting English language classes to the Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church over two years ago. The program launched in October 2012, after months of preparation and consultation with the local Council. It later received a grant from the local Council in July 2013 and has expanded as the needs have increased. The program now runs on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings and is recognized as an ADRA Community project.
Tuesday sessions include a homework club for school-aged children as well as beginning through advanced English language classes for adults. Wednesdays include 2 or 3 beginner classes, 1 intermediate class, 1 advanced class and child-minding services for parents who otherwise would be unable to attend. Antonina says the program “is not just English; it’s friendship.”
If anyone should understand this well, it’s Antonina. Years ago, she immigrated to Australia as a refugee. Antonina recounts how difficult the transition was. “We had friends here, but even with friends,” she said, “it was very hard in the beginning. We had to learn English.”
Photo Credit: Sydney Adventist Communications
For many residents of Auburn, this experience rings true. Auburn is a community that many newly arrived refugees and migrants call home, and the need to adjust and assimilate to a new culture and language is at the forefront of their minds. According to the Refugee Council of Australia, the organisation for refugees and the organisation and individuals who support them, Auburn is one of the most “culturally and linguistically diverse Local Government Areas in Australia and often a first place of settlement for many newly arrived refugees and migrants.”
Alex Ratu, pastor of the Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church recognises the needs of the community surrounding the church and sees the English language classes as having great potential for church members of this small, tight-knit church to get involved in outreach and to develop a more outward focus. Pr. Alex said the Community English and Support Program is “challenging us as a church,” however, through challenge comes the potential for growth.
Meeting People’s Everyday Needs
“Often we run evangelistic programs that hit one area, by delivering facts,” Pr. Alex said. “This is an evangelistic program where you’re hitting the other side. We’re hitting a need first. Instead of telling people what their need is, instead of ‘Jesus is the answer,’ we’re offering to help them with what their everyday need is right now – English and settling into this community. Through our actions, through the way we interact with them, we’re showing them a picture of Jesus.”
Showing a Picture of Jesus through English Classes
And the Community English and Support Program presents many opportunities to show the students a picture of Jesus. Sometimes at the end of the term or during holidays, the group goes to the park for a potluck meal or to someone’s house to eat. Other times, students are invited to Sabbath afternoon church potluck lunches. As a result of the classes, being an approachable teacher and the various social gatherings, Antonina shared that “quite a few people are asking her about the church, the Bible and God.” In this way, she feels the program is meeting a real need in the community.
Pr. Alex has similarly noticed the impact the program has had on the lives of two families within their community. One in particular, who recently immigrated by boat to Australia as refugees, has experienced more than teaching; they have experienced friendship. One teacher extended herself beyond her teaching responsibilities by inviting the family home for lunch and dinner. As a result, Pr. Alex says, the church has “been a support system for this particular family. The family now drops in every now and then for church, and the family is really appreciative of the support they know they can find from the church.”
Volunteers Committed to the Idea of the Community English Program
Photo Credit: Sydney Adventist Communications
The Community English and Support Program is fueled by dedicated volunteers from both within and outside of Auburn SDA Church who are committed to the idea of the program. Presently, about half of the volunteers for the program are non-Adventist.
Olivia Fenlon is one of the non-Adventist teachers who graciously volunteers her time to teach students. She teaches for the joy of it stating, “I enjoy seeing the students feel more comfortable and confident and being taken seriously.” She notes that because of the students’ recent arrivals and lack of familiarity with the culture and language, many feel quite vulnerable. Coming to the class, she notes, gives them the opportunity to talk freely and know what they say is not going to go anywhere.
Fellow teacher Antonina says earnestly, “The main aim of the program is to reach out to people,” and in order to continue to do this, the program has needs, and right now, its primary need is additional volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Pr. Alex Ratu at 0410 84 90 30 or e-mail him at alexis.ratu@gmail.com. Currently, the following volunteer opportunities are available.
Child-minder on Wednesday mornings from 10 am-12 pm. This role is ideal for a stay-at-home mum or a mother on maternity leave, who is willing to bring her children, while watching the children of the program attendees. Other potential volunteers for this position would be anyone who has the patience and gift for spending time with children. Volunteer position is flexible to accept a volunteer who can regularly commit to once or twice a month.
Qualified Teacher on Tuesday evenings from 6 – 8 pm. This role is ideal for a teacher or retired teacher who feels comfortable teaching English Writing and/or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Volunteer position is flexible to accept a volunteer who can regularly commit to once or twice a month.
Volunteer English Teacher on Wednesday mornings from 10 am -12 pm or Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm. This role is ideal for anyone with a willing attitude and desire to help immigrants better their English skills. The classes develop students’ conversational English skills. Volunteers do not need to be specially trained for this role. Worksheets and material are provided. Volunteer position is flexible to accept a volunteer who can regularly commit to once or twice a month.
Photo Credit: Sydney Adventist Communications
Volunteer for Homework Club on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm. Volunteer should have patience for assisting school-aged children with homework or for assisting other volunteers as they help the children with their homework. Volunteer position is flexible to accept a volunteer who can regularly commit to once or twice a month.
Vision for the Growth of the Program
As Pr. Alex envisions the growth of the program, he refers back to the two families who are slowly becoming a part of the church family by way of the relationships that are being built with them. “As a church, we should be building a relationship with the students. I’m happy about how the church has taken to these two families. They’re not coming just to learn English but because of the relationship they’re building with the church. With the English classes, right now we see them as our students. If everyone were on board, the way we would run church would be to cater for the English Class program. They’d come Tuesday and Wednesday and another day of the week we could meet for a social get together. That’s the potential of the English Class program – building relationships with families of the Auburn community.”