From An English Friends Participant

“English Friends has provided a great opportunity for me to continue to reach the world while living in my home country. I’ve been an immigrant to other nations and know what a huge difference a warm welcome and hospitable people make to the process of learning culture and language and feeling ‘at home’. It is great to think that I might help someone else not feel so isolated or lonely. I’ve only been meeting with my friend a short while, and though communication can sometimes be a struggle, we get there with the help of Google translate or, if her children are around, they act as translators. My friend tells me that since living in the USA for 6 years, I’m her first American friend. I understand that her experience is shared by many international students and immigrants alike and it is a huge missed opportunity to enjoy relating with and understanding a person from another culture.” K.B.

From one of our participants: Building Friendships During a Pandemic

I have been meeting with my friend for about a year now.  We had just started to become acquainted when Covid hit.  It seemed rocky at first, but gradually we truly became friends as we spent time on the phone just getting to know each other.  I was able to visit the family once before we clearly understood that we were not supposed to meet.  It was a happy time, with much food and story-telling.  

She asks me questions about products, food and customs.  I ask her questions about Syria and cooking.  Both my friend and her husband are wonderful cooks.  I have tried to encourage her when she was having trouble with past trauma and current circumstances.  She said that I always give her hope.  I was able to visit last Christmas.  I brought dinner and chocolate.  The whole family was sick with Covid.  She said that it was great because she wouldn’t have to cook when she could hardly get out of bed.  She sent me a Christmas present as a way to say thanks.  We haven’t been able to get together as much as we would like – we are all very busy - but we look forward to spending some time together this summer.

I am very pleased that Bridge Builders created the English Friends program.  It is a wonderful way to reach out to our Syrian neighbors.  But it is much more than that.  For me personally, it has brought me new friends and a family with which to love and share my life.  It has opened doors of understanding and added richness to us both.  Thanks Bridge Builders! ( from CB )