MEMBERS of the Congolese migrant community are sharpening their language skills through a free conversational English program.
Delivered by the Red Cross Mount Gambier branch, the six week program uses curriculum developed by the Cambridge University and has attracted a range of participants.
The face to face sessions are held in the Salvation Army hall on Saturdays, with Red Cross providing transport for the students to and from the venue.
The lessons are lead by Australian Red Cross volunteer and Congolese migrant Roland Kalamo.
Mr Kalamo’s illustrious training started at the University of Geneva and the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees and he previously taught conversational English in Kenya.
Red Cross Limestone Coast regional manager David Walshaw said it was uplifting to see the effect the course was having on the confidence of attendees.
He said participants typically met over a lunch of soup and bread rolls prepared and cooked by Red Cross volunteers.
“Each week volunteers are helping to make different types of soup for the attendees and are providing driving duties to enable the attendees free transport to all the participants,” he said.
Mr Walshaw said the immersive program sees participants also learn essential cooking skills, which is led by migration support programs coordinator Gissy George.
Stick blenders have been donated to the participants by Australian Red Cross (ARC) Mount Gambier Branch, which they will retain at the completion of the soup cooking course.
The second part of the program will see participants attend a supermarket to learn skills in nutrition and how to do their daily shopping.
“The aim of this program is to increase social inclusion and economic wisdom for newly arrived migrants to assist them to transition into the Australian retail environment,” he said.
“Feedback from this first course will assist us in developing future courses in the new year.”
