New laptop helps refugee learn English

Congratulations to Shurooq who received a laptop from our Saint’s Place Educational Fund! Shurooq is from Iraq and was using her husband’s cell phone to attend her online English as a second language classes. Her husband recently secured a job, so Shurooq could no longer use the cell phone for class. Shurooq has two children, one who has significant medical disabilities, so she needs to be at home but still be able to attend her classes. We hope this laptop makes being a student a little easier for her. We welcome Shurooq and her family to our Rochester community!  

Congratulations to Ola who received a laptop computer from the Saint's Place Educational Scholarship Fund! Ola is a refugee from Syria who arrived in the United States four years ago. She is currently taking classes in English as a second language at OACES (Office of Adult and Career Education Services).  Ola is also an active member of MAC (Making a Change) Academy, which is part of OACES. In the future, Ola would like to attend Monroe Community College. We wish Ola the best in her studies! 

We are thrilled for Yiheng and her success in the culinary program at OACES. She was awarded a laptop computer in May 2021 from Saint's Place as part of our educational initiative.   

OACES called her "a diligent student who embraced the program and worked extremely hard. Yiheng conquered her fear of learning English and stepped out of her comfort zone to learn. She was placed with Compass group at Saint John Fisher college to train under Executive Chef Joel Kraft. This former high school teacher from China is another great example of success." Saint's Place is excited for Yiheng's bright future! 

Congratulations to Dorcas who received a laptop scholarship from the Saint's Place Refugee Educational Initiative! Dorcas is from the Congo and is working toward a degree in medical technology from Bryan & Stratton College where she earned the Premiere Achievement Scholarship to help her pay for tuition. She completed her senior year at Rochester International Academy despite the challenges of the pandemic. Her parents are not in the United States, but she is determined to complete her academic studies! We wish Dorcas a bright future!

Congratulations to David, a refugee student attending Bryant & Stratton College. He received a new laptop computer from the Saint's Place Educational Initiative.  David loves music.  He graduated from Rochester International Academy and is now studying network technology.  David was born in a refugee camp.  He played soccer in the camp and now plays for Bryant & Stratton.  He would like to help those back at home after he receives his education.  We wish him a very bright future! 

Congratulations to Sana on his scholarship of a new laptop computer from Saint's Place.  Sana escaped Afghanistan at the end of August and after 10 days of travel arrived in Rochester to join his brother and mother. In Afghanistan, Sana was a head nurse at a local hospital. He completed his studies in Kazakhstan.   Sana plans to work for a year and take English courses to improve his language skills (he already speaks quite well) and then become certified to practice nursing again here in the United States.  Welcome to Rochester, Sana! 

Congratulations to Ahmeddeq on receiving a laptop computer and $1,000 educational scholarship from Saint's Place!  Ahmeddeq is a refugee from Kenya who is interested in studying computer programming.  He attended English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at OACES and completed two years at MCC. He recently started classes at the College at Brockport.  Ahmeddeq works thirty hours a week caring for a sick family member. 

Saint's Place has a strong supportive relationship with the Rochester International Academy, a city school that many refugees attend. The school provides a welcoming place for so many of our refugee students to grow and mature.  This last year has been so challenging with kids learning remotely, and their teachers have risen to the challenge.  This wonderful group of 2021 graduates has a bright future ahead of them! 

Congratulations to Dawa on receiving a laptop computer from Saint's Place. Dawa is a Nepali student who attended Rochester International Academy. She has lived in the U.S. for four years. While working part time, she maintained a 4.43 GPA. She wants to attend Monroe Community College to become a nurse. Dawa was the captain of the RIA volleyball team for the last two years!