Equipping Newcomers with Education to Learn English in Group Classes

In the spring of 2022, Hamdiya* arrived from Afghanistan with her husband and three young children. Growing up in an area controlled by the Taliban, she hadn't had the opportunity to go to school. After a few months of adjusting to their new surroundings in Virginia, Hamdiya was eager to learn but needed to start from the beginning.

Hamdiya tried to register for English classes through Henrico County Adult Education but faced challenges due to the lack of transportation and childcare.

Then she discovered ReEstablish Richmond's Newcomer Education English classes. We are dedicated to making high-quality English instruction accessible to everyone, providing transportation and childcare, and offering classes taught by certified teachers through a partnership with the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center.

In the fall of 2023, Hamdiya attended our English class. Not only did she achieve perfect attendance, she increased two levels at the post-test! Learning a language takes years of time and dedication, but Hamdiya has taken the first meaningful steps in her own education. She is proud to gain and practice the skills needed to navigate her new life.

In 2023, ReEstablish Richmond provided 120 hours of English instruction by certified teachers, and 80% percent of students in our fall 2023 English class made a jump of at least one level according to pre- and post-testing. Your donation today will ensure that newcomers like Hamdiya can make meaningful progress to learn English, integrate into our community, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

* Name and some details have been changed to protect client identity. While this story may represent one individual's experience, it also reflects the common experiences of newcomers from this background.