more than a TEACHABLE
more than a TEACHABLE moment Committee helps refugee students BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO It is one of the many committees created at the request of Bishop Francis and since its inception, TEACH has been instrumental in the efforts to help displaced Iraqi Christians. Standing for Teachers Education And Creating Hope, this group of educators has been working collaboratively with the Bishop’s advocacy committee and other committees to help the thousands of displaced Iraqi Christians who have been persecuted at the hands of ISIS. Currently TEACH is assessing each camp where refugees are living to determine how many school-aged children are currently in each specific area in northern Iraq as well as areas in Jordan. Since the invasion, children are left with not much to do throughout the day. They, of course, have no school to attend. This has been the situation for many refugees forced from their homes because of terrorism. Many have arrived in the United States with little education. Recently, TEACH has provided educational tools for the leaders in the respective camps to initiate some formal learning until classrooms are established. TEACH is also providing the educators in the area necessary ongoing continuing education, despite the fact that they have not been able to establish sustainable schools with proper technology and resources. “The educational system in those parts of the Middle East is lacking in terms of continuing education courses for teachers,” said Margaret Shamoun of TEACH. “Therefore, we have another obstacle to deal with and that is to ‘teach the teachers’ so that they are able to provide the most up-to-date curriculum for students.” The challenges are great. There is a language barrier for the mostly American-born teachers in the group who only speak English. However, there are a few educators able to translate Arabic and Sourath. “Fr. Douglas Bazi [in Iraq] has been working incredibly hard to provide educational programs for the children in his care,” said Shamoun. “Not having proper assessments as to reading and math levels is also a challenge. Although they should be placed in age-appropriate classrooms, it’s difficult to know whether or not they are at grade level without proper assessments.” TEACH does not have to create curriculum; there are sufficient tools to teach reading, reading comprehension, math, science and other subjects. Displaced Christians receive toys from TEACH, which sent donations to refugee camps in Erbil and Duhok. The group has already provided some basic school supplies to various camps. In addition, TEACH has shipped tens of thousands of new coats, feminine products and toys to the refugees. TEACH is working primarily with students in northern Iraq and they have recently inquired about refugees in Jordan. Their goal is to help all students who are displaced throughout the Middle East. “Every child deserves an education,” Shamoun said. “It is heartbreaking to know that these children are eager to learn yet aren’t allowed to, simply because of their faith. “ While TEACH is trying to do exactly what their name stands for, they are focused on the refugees’ basic needs as well: food, shelter, medicine and clothing. All of Bishop Francis’ committees, including MERCI (which are the health providers) and Project Justice (attorneys) are doing what they can to assist in the ongoing crisis. “Throughout their struggles, the common denominator is faith,” said Shamoun. “As long as they are able to pray, they thank God for being alive. To have as much faith as they do, facing an uncertain future, there’s something to be said about that. The children need to be in a safe, learning environment. It is their right to learn, just as much as any other child.” 28 CHALDEAN NEWS JUNE 2015
2 1 1 3 7 11 4 an evening between two rivers 8 PHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA An elegant event celebrating Chaldean art and history was held May 15 at Regency Manor. TEACH presented “An Evening Between Two Rivers” to benefit educational programs for displaced Chaldean children. 5 9 1. The event was a sell-out 2. Maysoun Sakal 3. Sabah Wazi 4. Kaitlin Senawi, Karl Senawi, Nicole Dallo and Renee Kakos 5. George Matti Patrus and Fr. Manuel Boji 6. Sr. Ann Shields 7. Manal Rabban and Jumhoria Kaskorkis 8. Fr. Andrew Seba, Musib and Ban Gappy 9. Reta and Manhal Shammami 10. Sirena Seman, Bonita Narra, Aida Monteith and Rawaa Yaldo 11. Linda George 6 10 JUNE 2015 CHALDEAN NEWS 29
