Amina
Amina, a student who moved from mentoring into classes is regarded as a model of what we try to achieve: Amina is in her late teens, from Yemen and was painfully shy. She is escorted to REEP and doesn’t leave her family environment apart from this.
She attended mentoring for a year and was passed to classes to progress with her learning. She was placed in the Women’s class – a pre-entry class where women actively support one another.
Mentoring staff brought her into the first class where she was warmly welcomed by the teacher. She sat by the teacher and hid her face, giggling whenever spoken to. At one of the first classes she left early as she found being in a group quite difficult.
Over time she has integrated into the group, with lots of support and encouragement. At the end of the academic year she asked to do an external accreditation and attended an exam with an external examiner where she passed Pre Entry ESOL Step 1 with a merit.
She now greets female staff warmly and responds to questions rather than running away or giggling. Her teachers feel that she has gained in confidence and study skills, made friendships and can show her individuality.

Ayaan
One learner, a woman from Somalia had basic literacy needs as a result of no formal schooling, wrote me ‘The History of Somalia’ from her point of view – a very personal account which she wanted to share with me. She did this simply to share her experience – I didn’t teach her but spoke to her in break times, it was a big achievement for her.
She also asked if she could show me Somali dancing, so after her class a group of women gathered to join her dance.
These things have led us to develop a set of recreational activities every Wednesday afternoon in the coming academic year. (Tutor testimonial)

Sahra
Recently, when one learner was in hospital, his friend from the class went to visit him, their teacher commented, ‘Sahra has no family left, its great that she can have that kind of friendship with others from the class.’ Sahra told us, ‘I don’t want to go anywhere else, here you understand my situation.’

These stories reflect how our service helps learners build self confidence, make friends both within the refugee community and in the wider community of Sheffield.

 

*All names have been changed to protect anonymity.