Today being Harmony Day - a celebration of cultural diversity with a theme of ‘Everybody Belongs’ - we’d like to celebrate one of the many friendships formed through Mission Australia’s Home Tutor Scheme and Enhancement Program in Sydney’s south-western and western suburbs.The Home Tutor Scheme is part of the Adult Migrant English Program, which is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, recruits and trains volunteers to teach English to newly arrived migrants and refugee who are unable to attend formal classes.
One of our most dedicated and long-serving tutors is Sarah Cullen. At the moment she is working with two students, including Manizha, who came to Sydney from Afghanistan.
Sarah and Manizha have been meeting for lessons for the past four years, and have built up a firm friendship.
“I have learnt a lot of English and have a good teacher,” she said. “I am very happy because we have become good friends.”
Sarah considers it an “absolute privilege” to work with Manizha.
“I have the utmost respect for Manizha considering what she has been through in fleeing Afghanistan,” Sarah said. “But beyond that, I admire her dedication to learning English and the pace at which she has picked it up.
“Manizha is always willing to ‘have a go’ and completes her homework diligently every week,” she added.
“We have become good friends and I look forward to sharing in her future discoveries and success.”
Mission Australia is always seeking committed volunteers to teach English to new arrivals in Parramatta, Cabramatta, Auburn, Blacktown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Merrylands. Volunteers are required to attend a free 18-hour training course and are then matched with a client by gender and locality. They then visit the client’s home once a week and tutor them for up to 90 minutes.
On completion of 20 hours’ tutoring, our volunteers receive a certificate of attendance. If you would like to register to volunteer please send a brief cover letter with a resume to volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au
Resources from harmony.gov.au:
- About Harmony Day: Information on what Harmony Day is all about.
- How to Celebrate Harmony Day: There are many ways you can celebrate Harmony Day. It depends on how you want to bring people together in your school, community or organisation.
- Register Your Event: Register your event and download do-it-yourself Harmony Day products, graphics or a certificate of appreciation.
- What's On: If you want to know what events have been registered in your area so far, or simply want to see what others are planning to do for Harmony Day.
- Harmony Day 2011 Supporters: Harmony Day's success continues and grows each year with the continued support of organisations around the country.
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