One thing leads to another - Welcoming the Stranger - Part 1

One thing leads to another -This has been the story of our experience in getting to know people from different cultures who also live in Hillston and during the process of organising and running this exciting project.

Sue and Steve are taken to dinner by our Korean "sons"

When we started English lessons for back packers and non-native speakers in town we did not know we would end up providing two session of lesson as well as tutoring, helping with daily problems like negotiating with banks, the tax department and sorting out problems of buying on-line. 
We did not know it would be an ecumenical activity shared with members of the catholic congregation. 
We did not know that English lessons would lead to opportunities for people to join playgroup, participate in CWA activities and at Lachlan Lodge and find employment, as well as forge meaningful friendships for all involved.


At first we shyly met backpackers in church and they shared in our bible study.Then we went to the World Day of Prayer with the theme of welcoming the stranger to your land. This was followed by a UME workshop on multi - culturalism led by Katalina Tahaafe-Williams. Awakened by that experience, that year we became concerned about the rates of back packer's pay during harvest and the Hillston Uniting and Catholic Churches decided to hold a Back Packer  BBQ to make them feel welcome in town and valued for what they do here. This was a huge success with 110 young people from 12 countries attending.We had to keep going home to get more food!

Cathy (second from left) and the girls from Taiwan -First BP BBQ 2012

Our feeling shy at talking with new comers and visitors led to TAFE workshop provided by a teacher of non-native speakers of English in Griffith and held in Hillston for community members who wanted to improve their skills and speak more confidently and helpfully to non-native speakers. This led to us thinking about a Conversation Group and tutoring in town which led to applying for a grant from Unitingcare Ageing West to fund tutoring the tutors.
 In the process we started two (one for the night shift and one for the day) Conversation Groups for Korean back packers who were working at the cotton gin and some of whom we had met a church.

On the day this was taken Andrew sang for Hilda aged 102.

Andrew, one of that group, became quite a celebrity in church, using his skills as a musician by playing for us each week and singing with his beautifully trained voice. He has since returned to Korea after being with us for two cotton gin seasons but we are still in contact with him and he still thinks fondly of Hillston.

"Finally, I came my home on 21st March

 I miss Hillston life and would like to see you all.

I'm a lucky guy because I met you and went to Hillston

 I will pray for you and Hillston church. 
Andrew

Winny, Shannon and Huong make words with  "Bananagrams"
 with volunteers, Pat (second from left) and Carole (on right) 

A Local’s Conversation Group started in early March 2015. Currently 4 local resident-students are attending conversation group with 1 requiring one-to-one English lessons in town. 

Now participants, Winny, her husband Hong, and Huong, have been signed up to the AMES 510 hours of free English tuition program, run by the NSW government and available to permanent visa holders. 

The conversation group has been instrumental in making this happen as locals assist with enrolment procedures. As a group we have become aware of services available for new comers to Australia like AMES and the translation service also available in NSW.                         

Meeting each other through tutoring, Huong and Carole also meet up at church. Carole a long term Hillston resident, has invited Huong and another participant, Winny, to CWA events which they have enjoyed.  Winny now attends playgroup with her young son, Jason. Something they both benefit from. Missing the work she used to do in China, it is hoped Winny’s improved English will lead to employment in the future. And Huong has now invited a new friend –a grandmother from Turkey, here to help with her new grandchild. We look forward to getting to knowing Layla during her time here with her family.