Many Emporia immigrants have found a path to a better future and a way to get to college through a GED program.
The group, which meets at Maynard School on Monday mornings, is made up of mostly Somalians, but the program is for all immigrants, said Armida Martinez, migrant recruiter with Migrant Education Services at Maynard.
The GED program, which has been going on in Emporia since February, is called “Project Destiny.” It is offered through the Emporia school district through a grant from Kansas State University, Martinez said. Project Destiny has been in existence since 2001. All students who attend the program must be under 22, on their own and must be working in an agriculture-related job. In Emporia, working at Tyson qualifies and students are recruited through the Emporia School District.
All materials and testing fees are covered by the grant.
“They don’t have to pay anything,” said Rosa Aranda, migrant community resource coordinator. “They just have to show up and be dedicated to study.”
Ruqiya Mohamed is the teacher assistant in the mornings for the program. She, along with her cousin Fahmo Hersi, help out with the program. Mohamed and Hersi both work at Tyson.
Mohamed said the program is important because it helps immigrants further their education. She encourages students to go to the sessions.
“Because of her (Mohamed), many of the students were identified,” Martinez said. “They have become very interested in the program. They value education. She’s (Mohamed) is going through the program and is going to college in August.”
Martinez said the program is an opportunity for cultural enrichment, more career choices and more employment choices.
“A lot of them know they want to go on,” Martinez said. “This is an opportunity. They are all on their own. They don’t have Mom or Dad around. They all can read and speak English and a lot of them can speak Spanish. I’m just impressed that they’re so young and responsible.”
Fathi Ismail, who has lived in Emporia for about eight months, said he is completing the program to better his future.
“I want to have a bright future,” Ismail said as he was bent over a book. “I want to be educated and go to the university. I just continue to study.”
Fadumo Ali, who has been in Emporia a short time, also is in the GED program.
“I want to get a diploma,” Ali said. “And I want to go to college.”
Students must be screened by Martinez. For more information, call 341-2394.
goliberal (anonymous) says...
awesome!
May 10, 2007 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I think it's wonderful, too. Let's help out human beings. Forget boundary lines.
Melissa
May 10, 2007 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )