Tusome Pamoja: Refugee Students Reading Together
The day begins with a warm shared breakfast and playful arguing as fifteen refugee students prepare for their studies. Excited conversations in Swahili, Spanish, French, and Kinyarwanda fill the church parish hall where Saturday school sessions take place. As ReEstablish Richmond volunteers trickle in, they exchange friendly greetings with students and staff. When breakfast finishes, students split into small groups for morning instruction.
The hall fills once more with the sound of passages read aloud, pencils scratching through writing practice, and the vibrant conversation of Liz Wiznerowicz’s mini math classroom. Students break for a home-cooked school lunch that fills an entire table with bright traditional dishes from their home countries. Familiar tastes and smells create a comfortable atmosphere for students while encouraging volunteers to expand their cultural pallets. After lunch, students pair with volunteers for individualized learning and homework assistance. Conversations strike up again, and people who once were strangers begin to form meaningful relationships with each other.
Tusome Pamoja, Swahili for "Read Together", is a Saturday school program that provides instruction for students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). All students involved participate in English language learning programs, but their schools often lack the appropriate resources for supporting the significant gaps in their education. As a result, SLIFE students struggle to understand both the language and subject matter of their courses. They’re left without the foundational concepts necessary for passing their grade-level instruction.
The program supports students’ academic success with one-on-one and small group lessons in fundamental math concepts, English writing, and English reading. It supplies students with this instruction so they can fill their educational gaps and grow academically alongside their peers. The Saturday school sessions also provide a welcoming environment for students to connect with each other socially, an incredibly necessary aspect for increasing student confidence in themselves and their academic ability.
