KENYA: Breaking language barriers
NAIROBI, 22 April 2010 (IRIN) - Many Somalis and Ethiopians living in Nairobi's Eastleigh District, often after fleeing violence or persecution, are unable to speak English or Swahili, which makes everyday existence an uphill struggle.
"Language barriers are our main concern. For example, one night I was caught by a policeman but I couldn't understand a word he was saying," said Mohammed Ibrahim, a Somali refugee.
"Here in Kenya if you don't speak Swahili or English it's hard to shop, seek health care or travel," he added.
Abshir Hassan Ali, who has been an Eastleigh resident for 20 years, told IRIN: "Being a refugee with no knowledge of [local] languages is like being blind. When someone gets sick and is hospitalized he always needs help from someone who knows the language. and many fear they will be detained if they go to a hospital."
Sabria Ahmed, who fled Ethiopia in 2006 at the age of 17, losing contact with her family in the process, is taking Swahili lessons in Eastleigh. "I decided to enrol because I want to further my education. I hope eventually to complete my secondary studies." She currently makes ends meet by washing clothes for a neighbour.
"Even coming to and from these classes you can be stopped by the police wanting [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88770] to find out whether you are legal or not; sometimes it is easier to move among schoolchildren," she said, referring to her small stature. "It helps that I speak Swahili."
Ahmed is a member of a youth self-help group - one of three being assisted with language classes supported by the NGO International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Promoting cultural awareness
"The aim is to empower these self-help groups but also to promote cultural awareness and understanding among the different groups - both the refugees and the host community," said IRC volunteer Tsegaye Gudeta, who is also a refugee from Ethiopia.
"In 2009, we tried to set up adult literacy classes for the refugees, working closely with the provincial adult literacy department, but we could not sustain this project as the cost of hiring a venue was prohibitive," he said.
Classes are, however, now being conducted by students of Strathmore University who have volunteered to teach during their three-month holidays.
"Sometimes the lessons begin with public speaking where we encourage the refugees to tell us the stories of their life. This way they get to understand each other and we [teachers] get to know what their specific needs are," Miriam Wanjiru, a volunteer teacher told IRIN.
"In the three weeks I have been teaching here, I have noticed a marked improvement among some of the refugees, especially the youth, most of whom are keen to speak English."
Wanjiru said she was also picking up Somali and Amharic. Most of those in class are Somali and Ethiopian refugees although there are some from other countries.
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NAIROBI, 22 April 2010 (IRIN) - Many Somalis and Ethiopians living in Nairobi's Eastleigh District, often after fleeing violence or persecution, are unable to speak English or Swahili, which makes everyday existence an uphill struggle.
"Language barriers are our main concern. For example, one night I was caught by a policeman but I couldn't understand a word he was saying," said Mohammed Ibrahim, a Somali refugee.
"Here in Kenya if you don't speak Swahili or English it's hard to shop, seek health care or travel," he added.
Abshir Hassan Ali, who has been an Eastleigh resident for 20 years, told IRIN: "Being a refugee with no knowledge of [local] languages is like being blind. When someone gets sick and is hospitalized he always needs help from someone who knows the language. and many fear they will be detained if they go to a hospital."
Sabria Ahmed, who fled Ethiopia in 2006 at the age of 17, losing contact with her family in the process, is taking Swahili lessons in Eastleigh. "I decided to enrol because I want to further my education. I hope eventually to complete my secondary studies." She currently makes ends meet by washing clothes for a neighbour.
"Even coming to and from these classes you can be stopped by the police wanting [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88770] to find out whether you are legal or not; sometimes it is easier to move among schoolchildren," she said, referring to her small stature. "It helps that I speak Swahili."
Ahmed is a member of a youth self-help group - one of three being assisted with language classes supported by the NGO International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Promoting cultural awareness
"The aim is to empower these self-help groups but also to promote cultural awareness and understanding among the different groups - both the refugees and the host community," said IRC volunteer Tsegaye Gudeta, who is also a refugee from Ethiopia.
"In 2009, we tried to set up adult literacy classes for the refugees, working closely with the provincial adult literacy department, but we could not sustain this project as the cost of hiring a venue was prohibitive," he said.
Classes are, however, now being conducted by students of Strathmore University who have volunteered to teach during their three-month holidays.
"Sometimes the lessons begin with public speaking where we encourage the refugees to tell us the stories of their life. This way they get to understand each other and we [teachers] get to know what their specific needs are," Miriam Wanjiru, a volunteer teacher told IRIN.
"In the three weeks I have been teaching here, I have noticed a marked improvement among some of the refugees, especially the youth, most of whom are keen to speak English."
Wanjiru said she was also picking up Somali and Amharic. Most of those in class are Somali and Ethiopian refugees although there are some from other countries.
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