Simple Ways We Can Make A Difference

At our team meeting in October we took time to think through what life is like from the perspective of an asylum seeker. I’ve captured some of this in the article, “What is the situation with asylum seekers in Croydon?”

We thought about what some of our students are carrying emotionally with them with when they walk through the doors of our classes. You can see our brainstorm on the board below, and it includes things like ‘culture shock’, ‘frustration’, ‘boredom’, ‘anger’, ‘worry’, ‘homesickness’ and a ‘lack of control’.

As we keep emphasizing, VES is more than a language school - we want to bless people in Jesus name. You can see on the bottom right corner of the board “Simple Things We Can Do”. These are things like:

• Say ‘hello’ and welcome each student you see.

• Do your best to learn names (and make use of the different devices like name cards that the teachers use to do so)

• Be encouraging, even to the point of ‘gushing’ positivity.

• Explicitly communicate that you are pleased to see them.

• Have fun and laugh!

• Take advantage of the time pre class, and particularly post class time (12-12.15), at Centrale to offer a hot drink, initiate conversation, and communicate care.

• Signpost to Croydon Refugee Day Centre, to Ian Willard, and to Hannah / Andy as needed.

• Pray for the classes and the ministry

We are increasingly aware of the ‘bigger picture’ factors that make life so challenging for so many of our students, particularly the asylum seekers. The above steps don’t ‘solve’ everything, but they are small simple things we can do that make a huge difference to the lives of those we seek to serve.