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Programs & Ministries - African - Sudanese
Teaching is Contagious
By Howard Smith
Several day ago when I had lunch with Molly Moores, a member of St. Andrew’s in Encinitas and a tutor at The Learning Center, she invited me to come see their new new center for Sudanese children. Her enthusiasm reflected her passion, so I thought I should check it out. I had been to St. Luke’s last year to see the Wednesday night tutoring program, which serves more than forty children in a single evening, and is a part St. Luke’s Sudanese Refugee Network. It seems they have outgrown the Wednesday night program and now there’s a need for a more frequent tutoring program.
As a former public school teacher, Molly enlisted the help of her sister-in-law Becky Moores, to build The Learning Center (derived from the letters TLC). Together they built the design-as-you-go center with bookcases, desks, a kitchen, and reception area built around the welcoming feel of home. Molly got involved when her neighbors John and Elaine McElvie, shared with her the gift of the Sudanese Network; she came, saw, and was hooked from the beginning. She started tutoring, bought books for the kids, and knew that the gift of teaching was one given to her. These four volunteers, along with other recruits who have joined them, have made this a six-day a week tutoring center.
During my visit to The Learning Center I heard the students' stories; each one unique and shared with both enthusiasm and pride by the children and their teachers.
When Sabet was introduced to me, he told me he had all As in school. He shared with me that he used to have Ds and Fs, but beamed that he now has all As. Marilyn Nahaus is a volunteer from St. Paul’s Cathedral, says its because Sabet is expected to be the best he can be… and he is! She too, has a passionate mission and a mother’s heart, and tutors most evenings as a volunteer.
I met James who is 16 and lives with his grandmother. James had a broken jaw so could only have milk shakes and yogurt, but was still able to smile and talk. He has all As and Bs in school. There was a time when he too, was failing all his subjects. When I asked him how there could be that much difference in his grades and why he came to TLC, he said “I come here to get my work done, and because I can get the help I need.”
John McElvie, another volunteer from Rancho Santa Fe says it a little differently, “When they come here, they feel safe, and a part of a group. They come from extreme poverty, but the real reason is because Molly loves ‘em to death.” Molly says she’s hard on the kids, and can even be stern, but they just look at her and smile adoringly. When new tutors come to see what the program is about, they come back again and again. “It's so contagious and the students want to learn so much!” said Molly.
Most of the kids come to The Learning Center everyday. They’re challenged and encouraged in whatever the subject matter. Moses is a nonchalant 14 year-old, has read thirteen books in a series, and is making all As. But that hasn't always been the case. The volunteers go to school conferences, court hearings, and meet with the families of these children. “The parents or grandparents say they’re filled with gratitude,” said Molly, “but because they don’t speak English, they have to have a translator.” That’s usually Major Malou, the director of the Sudanese Refugee Network.
Marilyn Nahaus told about going to the home of one of the children and asked if she could look in the pantry to see what they needed. Not only was there no food, there were no sheets or blankets on the beds. “The poverty was beyond anything I ever imagined.” she said. In one house, the cockroaches were so bad the tutors had exterminators come to the house. All these epenses are underwritten by the volunteers, tutors and individuals.
As I was leaving, I met a young woman named Marin. She was about twenty-two and she works with the high school-aged girls. She has finished college and appeared to be living a life like any well-adjusted young adult. “My friends and I took the girls to the Ballet,” she said, “now they come with me to help tutor a few nights a week.” Surprised that young women would be willing to make such a commitment to this program, I asked her why. “It's such a beautiful program,” she said, “and I had to be a part of it.”
Peni is another volunteer who dedicates herself to teaching the younger children. I was surprised at the level of commitment and passion of this group of volunteers. Dinner is provided every night for the kids. Elaine McElvie works with those wanting to go to college, already has six students in college right now and four more are applying for the fall term.
What a gift The Learning Center is to the Sudanese children and to those who volunteer. The Sudanese Refugee Network provides support to children whose families have come as refugees from their war torn country of Sudan to a new and unfamiliar world.
The Learning Center provides tutoring programs to help these children…from elementary school through college. When asked how all this comes about, Molly Moores just smiled and said, “We tutor, we eat, we play… but most of all, we just love ‘em to death. How could you not do this?”