News and Events
Calling all men - can you help with our Sudanese partnership? |
| Posted by Mark Hood on 25th June, 2008 |
Footscray Partnership - in Christ and in English!
Background
Many of us appreciate the importance of language skills and proficiency in terms of employment prospects and assimilation into society. This is especially true for newly arrived migrants to Australia from a non-English speaking background.
St Mark’s has been assisting with a crèche for Sudanese children while their mothers take the time and opportunity to learn English. This is a well-established ministry for which the Sudanese community in Footscray are very appreciative.
Until recently, there has not been a similar ministry to the Sudanese men at Footscray. However, Saturday morning classes have recently commenced in Footscray to provide the Sudanese men with the same opportunity to learn English. The classes are run by a trained English teacher, using a prepared curriculum. Many of these men already know two or more languages, but English is not yet one of those.
The Opportunity
There is a chance for the men of St Mark’s to assist with these English classes as tutors, working informally one to one with participants. This may take the form of assistance with set exercises or with conversational English.
We are looking for (male) volunteers to offer one Saturday morning each month (approximately 2 hours from 9am to 1pm) to assist as tutors at these classes.
Our assistance with these classes will allow us at St Mark’s to deepen our connections with the Sudanese community at Footscray and for the men to build relationships with one another for each other’s mutual benefit and encouragement.
If you would like to share in this ministry, please contact me for further details. Mark Chew 0423 764 232 echew@bigpond.net.au