Immigrant & Refugee Women's Program – A St. Louis Community non-profit organization providing education opportunities to immigrant and refugee women

While every refugee's story is different and their anguish personal, they all share a common thread of uncommon courage – the courage not only to survive, but to persevere and rebuild their shattered lives.

 ~ Antonio Guterres
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees

Five years ago when I came here, I lost everything I owned. And I had ears, but could not hear; eyes but could not see; mouth but could not speak. I could not understand anything. Now after working with teachers, I can understand. I work hard at my job, own a house, and children are doing good in school. I am happy. Next I want to be a citizen. American people have been so nice to me…I want to be American too.

B.M., student from Afghanistan

Love of Teaching Inspires Volunteer
Sr. Charleen Barta, SSND, a former elementary school teacher and administrator, joined the Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Program because she loved teaching, especially teaching people who needed special help. “I saw a need for women to be educated and also learn the practical skills of living in America,” she explains. Since she became a teacher in February 1999, she has worked with over 30 women. Her students have come from many places, including Bosnia, Mexico, Albania, and Vietnam. She currently works with four students a week.

Sr. Charleen finds many rewards in having a hand in helping her students advance. She is thrilled to see students become independent in their daily lives and to share the happiness of the students who are able to become U.S. citizens. “I feel like I’m following the School Sisters’ charism, which is to serve women, the poor, and youth,” she says. “For me, this work is a ministry, not a job. We’re truly ministering to women and also their families.”

Our Special Student
In the fall of 2006, IRWP received a special request for a teacher. B.W., a 67 year old woman from Ethiopia, spoke English but was due to take her citizenship test in less than two months. She was blind and could not study on her own. Within days of the referral a new teacher, Linda called to volunteer. Linda taught grade school and was eager to work with an adult woman. They lived less than two miles apart.

For seven weeks they worked together on history, civics, and the constitution. So B.W. could study between classes, Linda made cassette tapes covering material that B.W. could listen to for homework. When B.W. called after her test, she proudly announced that she had passed her test. “Tonight I can finally sleep.”