Women of the World celebrated its second year and more importantly, the clients’ continued success, with its annual Holiday Celebration Tea Party. Over one-hundred refugees braved the first snow of the season to join Women of the World directors, officers, and volunteers for food, tea, and a chance to celebrate the successes of the past year and to talk about the aspirations for the new year.
The successes were myriad, including:
finding jobs;
developing English skills;
learning to drive;
navigating Salt Lake City transportation to get to stores, school, hospitals;
but mostly, having a voice and confidence.
In order to get a raffle ticket for gifts generously donated by members of the community, Women of the World clients had to update their contact information and fill out what they wish for 2013. The majority of respondents requested more classes in English. Women of the World hopes to fulfill this request in the new year with a revamping of its English program based in Equipped for the Future (EFF) Language Literacy Standards. Some of the other requests, as written, included:
I wish peace for my country. I wish my son like our new home. I like my husband be accept at University of Utah. I like to finish my higher studying. I like to have a job and my own house.I wish for speakers (big one).My wish for 2013 is to start modeling, have a driver license, and a car. My biggest wish for 2013 is to stop the war in Congo.I wish to learn English and working as my health is beginning to get better and to bring a new car cause my car is old. A new sofa. I need a teacher to help me with English.
Everyone had a very enjoyable time in working together and developing friendships. Women of the World would like to thank its volunteers for setup, recording information, and cooking, BYU’s Students for International Development (SID) for setting up a craft table for the kids. Also thank you to the community for their generous donations for the raffle, and especially to Sharon and Amy for the beautiful gifts of hygiene products that every family received.As we start 2013, Women of the World is heartened by the love and generosity that its clients show toward the volunteers that help them and will continue to grow its volunteer base to impact more refugee women by “giving them a voice and being their friend.”https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf