Today we…
Support new arrivals through education, relationships and community so they can thrive in their new home.
In the future, we will…
Create a community of open hearts, helping hands and supportive systems where strangers become friends and we all thrive.
How did Sharifullah Shirzad come to teach Pashto at kids at B5?
Sharifullah was a combat medic for the US forces in the Nangarthar region of Afghanistan for eleven years, from 2010 to 2021. When Kabul fell, the leader of the group he worked with let him know he would be moved. The American government evacuated Sharifullah, his wife, and their seven children to Dubai. Unfortunately, their extended family was left behind in Afghanistan.
During their time in Dubai, Sharifullah was able to get his and his family’s documents in order, which made the resettlement process to the US significantly smoother. Sharifullah was offered a choice of locations for resettlement, but he didn’t know enough about them to know which would be the best option. The agency recommended the Tri-Cities, and he accepted.
Learning English has been a big challenge for Sharifullah, but he keeps practicing. He works nights at Amazon. He prefers this; it allows him to attend meetings and appointments for his children during the day.
The US offers educational opportunities for Sharifullah’s children, especially his daughters, that are not available in Afghanistan. He wants his sons and daughters to be good learners; he’d like them to be doctors and engineers, with a good education.
When B5 learned that Sharifullah was teaching a growing group of Afghan kids to read and write Pashto in his small living room, we invited him to teach the class here at B5. “It is important because it is their language. They should know their heritage,” he says. B5 agrees with this. Research shows that knowing how to read and write one’s native language has a positive impact on learning a second language.
Initially, Sharifullah used YouTube videos and his own understanding of the language to teach the kids. He wanted books, but B5’s attempts to find Pashto materials weren’t successful. Thankfully, Sharifullah’s brother, who is still in Afghanistan, was able to purchase and send 25 workbooks for students to use. The kids are proud of their books, and we’re impressed by their ability to recognize, write and even read text in this very (to Roman alphabet readers) foreign language. B5 is glad to encourage and support them in learning to read their native language.
Thank you to all of you who give your time and money, so refugees and immigrants can find welcome at the doors of B5. Your donation in any amount allows us to support our programs to help newly arrived refugees THRIVE in our community. Will you join us?
Donations can be made through our website or they can be mailed to: B5 Learning Center 715 S Jean Street Kennewick, WA 99336
Contact us:
(509) 221-1572
info@thriveatb5.org
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