A common understanding

Refugees from many different countries are learning English and much more in the classes at this church. DP

Warwick United Church of Christ helps immigrants learn English and the customs of the U.S.

By Stephen H. Cowles

Even before she fled her native Iraq, Nadia Ardash knew some English.

Thanks to Warwick United Church of Christ, she's learning even more every week.

After spending two years in Syria, Ardash and her husband, son and daughter were able to come to the U.S. in August. Through the Refugee and Immigration Services Office in Hampton, she was introduced to the language classes.

"I like to read," Ardash said. She's eager to learn more about U.S. history.

Still, the new vocabulary is particularly challenging. So as Ardash talks about her past ordeals, you can tell from her expressions that she's always searching for the right word or phrase to express herself correctly.

"Everything happened to me. To everybody. War. No freedom. No peace. Many people killed," she said. "We are Christian for many years. Cars blow up our church."

Through the United Nations and the International Organization of Migration, Ardash and her family made it to Syria. "Many people there," she said. After two years, the family got to come to America.

Part of the church's mission statement is "to be relevant to our membership, our community and to the greater humankind." One way that this is achieved is through its English as a Second Language lab, one of the congregation's six outreach ministries.
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