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Getting into the swing of a new school year can be difficult for students and parents, but when the students and parents are refugees adjusting to a new country, a new language and a new way of life, it's even more challenging. Missy Larsen is trying to make it easier for one refugee family.
Larsen met the Suber family three months ago. She says she instantly fell in love with them; and in the time since then, she's taken a vested interest in the children's education.
This mom of four keeps tabs on the Suber's children. Thirteen-year-old Omar says, "Now she's part of our family." Ten-year-old Hawa said, "She comes to our school and talks to our teachers about how we are doing." And 7-year-old Isha said, "She's a nice lady." There's also 5-year-old Muhammad, a high schooler and three younger children.
"Now they're just part of my family. I talk to them every day at least two or three times a day. They call me when the lights go out and they don't know where to find the breaker box, and they call me when they don't have diapers," Larsen said.
The family lived in a Kenyan refugee camp for 10 years before moving to Utah. The children's father works full time and their mother speaks little English. So Larsen acts as the missing link between the parents, the children, and the school.
"Sometimes it's just communication; sometimes it's teaching them how to ride the bus to school; sometimes it's getting them enrolled in school," she said.
"I have a life. It's a busy life. And I thought, ‘How can I add this to my very busy life?' And it's an amazing thing because there's a power behind this work and a power behind this volunteerism," Larsen said.
Larsen says there is a huge need for volunteers to become mentors. To volunteer, e-mail Laura Durrant at ldurrant@utah.gov . For information on how to get involved, check the related link to the right.
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
