Genocide Intervention Network Presentation

Myra Dahgaypaw, a Carl Wilkens Fellow, from the Genocide Intervention Network was instrumental in setting up the "From the Jungles of Burma to Your Hometown" program today at Central Baptist Church. She gave a brief overview of the problem and led a panel of Karen refugees who told of their journey from Burma to Thailand to Hartford. Speaking today were Naw Peh Htoo, Htaw Nay Moo and Naw Shei Paw. They gave information concerning their lives, past and present, and participated in a QandA session. This was a very moving experience.

The presentations were followed by a delicious Burmese meal provided by the Karen Community of Central Baptist Church.

blogingo: Visit www.genocideintervention.net for more information
blognote: This program was very well attended and the information provided was especially needed.

Winter session classes ended today! 

The 2010 Winter Session Beginner ESOL Class and the Teacher Assistant Class both had their last session in Pastor Gie Dor's apartment. Certificates will be awarded tomorrow at church between the two worship services. Fourteen participants will received a Certificate showing that they successfully completed the 9 week Beginner session. Five of these participants will also have it noted on their certificate that they had Perfect Attendance! The five Teacher Assistants will also receive certificates for the successful completion of the Winter Session Part 1 Course.

2010 ESOL SCHEDULE

KAREN ESOL SCHEDULE for 2010

        

June 5^th to June 26^th at Central Baptist Church Library

4 week session on GRAMMAR for Intermediate/Advanced students

Intensive classes 90 minutes 9:00 to 10:30 am

Certificates in church on Sunday, June 27^th

July 24^th to August 14^th at Central Baptist Church Library

4 week session on WRITING for Intermediate/Advanced students

Intensive classes 90 minutes 9:00 to 10:30 am

Certificates in church on Sunday, August 15

September 18^th to November 13^th at Central Baptist Church Library

Continue Teaching Assistants Class 9:00 to 9:30 am

8 week session [+ review class] for BEGINNERS 9:30 to 10:30 am

Certificates in church on Sunday, November 14^th

back to the schedule...

Two Saturdays ago we had a funeral and cancelled class. Last week Amy Endler took the Review Class. And today I started up again. Classes keep getting bigger and bigger. We have three more classes this session and then we will move to the Central Baptist Church Library. I gave the Teaching Assistants my proposal for classes for the next three sessions. That will take us up to the end of the year, 2010!

Karen Thanksgiving

  Today the Karen community celebrated their second anniversary in the United States. For some members, this was their first year. The celebration was hosted by Central Baptist Church. There were at least a hundred people present in the sanctuary. Many children were present also. The music was wonderful!

The program started with the Baptism of eight new members. Pastor John and Pastor Ich officiated. After the baptism a Teen Choral group sang during the Communion Service. This was followed by a Thanksgiving Feast in the community room. The variety of food was overwhelming and delicious.

Today I met many new people: Karen from other neighborhoods, Hartford school teachers, Karen from other parts of Connecticut and so many people helping out and volunteering to better the lives of the new Connecticut Karen community.

K Saw Funeral

I attended the funeral for K Saw, an elder in the Karen community, today at the Ahern Funeral Home at 180 Farmington Avenue in Hartford.

Pastor Ich Duc Nguyen presented the Opening Prayer and the Benediction. Pastor John Endler gave a beautiful Eulogy which was translated by K Paw.

After the Viewing and the Prayer Service, K Saw was to be cremated in Waterbury. He was the first Karen refugee to pass away in Hartford.

Goodwin College visit...

Pastor Ich, Cheryl Zeiner and I had a nice visit to Goodwin College in East Hartford today to explore educational possibilities for the Karen community.

We met with Claudia Lange, Assistant Director of Admissions, and Bobella C. Daley, Admissions Officer. The building is new and fresh and exciting. We hope some of our students will be able to study here.