Helping Congolese Refugees through COVID-19

Alyssa Kurtz (profile at right) was a consistent help at our first Language in Action site serving Hispanic immigrants. When we decided to expand our efforts to a group of Congolese refugees, Alyssa was ready to lead the charge. Her years of service in East Africa help her consider the cultural aspects of language learning and to connect easily.

Uncertainty. Fear. Anxiety. These are words that characterize our current moment, not just locally, but globally. Sorting through information on COVID-19 with English as a first language can be confusing and exhausting. The experience is compounded for immigrants in a new country, learning English as a second (third or fourth) language. Pastor Joseph RuKesha shares, “There are many resources and information shared that you get overwelmend from it.” For immigrants, lack of understanding creates even greater anxiety, and rightfully so. It is often the most vulnerable demographics that will be hit hardest by the inevitable economic shifts and hardships that are predicted on the backside of this pandemic.

At our weekly ELL classes, we’ve been teaching every day vocabulary such as “soap”, “water” and the difference between what goes “in” and “outside” of the refrigerator. Now we’re having to consider how to explain “pandemic”, “social distancing” and which hospital to go to if a family member’s health becomes critical. Only in recent seminars have we taught these families how to use thermometers, monitor symptoms, and learn the difference between primary and emergency care. These simple life skills are critical, yet they are complex to explain, and they often need modeling. Now, questions regarding COVID-19 we are having to explain without being physically present.

Though we have postponed the start of our next cycle of English language learning classes, we have not stopped empowering these families. In this time of societal stillness, we are condensing information on COVID-19 into words and visuals our refugee friends can easily understand and practice. This allows our friends to receive the most crucial information they need to know to stay safe and healthy. We are also utilizing translators to translate information into our recipients’ native languages (Kiswahili, Kinyarwanda and French) to ensure the information they are receiving is clearly understood. These translations are made available to them in audio format to ensure even the illiterate understand what to do.

As much as the human tendency is to turn inward and self-preserve in moments of crisis, we’re still finding creative ways to love our neighbor, particularly as we know their lack of information is a danger to their health. There is, in fact, no greater moment for empowering our immigrant and refugee communities with the crucial information they need to keep their families safe and healthy. We can further assist by checking in and making sure they have the physical resources they need at this time.

Our work doesn’t stop in times of crisis - it picks up. Jesus came to ease fear, to bring peace, and to share in uncertain times. By increasing understanding amidst these unsettling circumstances, we can usher in a spirit of love and generosity, encourage wisdom, and work towards producing soundness of mind.