As part of the Vocational English Language Training (VELT) program under ISC’s Practical Approaches to Self-Sufficiency (PASS), I had the privilege of working with five Afghan refugee women residing in Carlisle. Each student came with her own goals and challenges, and together we focused on building the language and vocational skills necessary to navigate their new lives and employment opportunities in the United States.

Nazifa: From English Learner to Food Service Worker

Nazifa entered the program with minimal education in her native language and no English proficiency. Motivated by her desire to find a job, we worked together for three weeks, starting with the English alphabet and gradually introducing grammar, vocabulary, and job-related language. Key focus areas included:

• Self-introduction

• Personal story writing

• Grammar fundamentals (parts of speech, verb tenses)

• Job-specific vocabulary

By the end of our sessions, Nazifa had secured a job as a food service worker at Dickinson College. She gained confidence in her communication skills and learned to interact effectively with colleagues in the workplace.

Noorya: Pursuing Growth Through Education

Like Nazifa, Noorya began with little English but a strong desire to succeed. Over the course of our training, she learned how to:

• Navigate job interviews

• Understand workplace rules and responsibilities

• Master parts of speech and tenses

• Develop relevant vocational vocabulary

She also secured a position at Dickinson College. Inspired to continue improving, Noorya enrolled in classes at the Employment Skills Center, passed their entrance exam, and began intermediate English courses. Her drive to grow both personally and professionally is deeply inspiring.

Lida: Caregiver and Advocate for Her Daughter

Lida joined the program to prepare for her role as her daughter’s caregiver. Over two weeks, we covered:

• Effective communication with care recipients

• Understanding medical conditions

• Caregiver certification requirements

• Interview preparation

I also helped her study for and pass her driving permit exam, giving her greater independence. Lida’s dedication to becoming a capable caregiver and mother was clear in every session.

Sadaf: Preparing to Care for Her Mother

Sadaf, another caregiver trainee, studied with me for two weeks. Our lessons focused on:

• Caregiver responsibilities and ethics

• Report writing and documentation

• Job-relevant vocabulary

• Building trust and communication with patients

She successfully began her caregiving role for her mother and felt confident in her skills and preparation by the end of the program.

Muska Sarwar: A Future Dentist with a Foundation in Teaching

Muska spent six weeks in the program preparing for an interview to become a daycare teacher. Though she initially had limited English proficiency, we focused on:

• Communication strategies for working with children and parents

• Sentence construction and grammar

• Vocabulary for childcare

• Self-introduction and personal storytelling

Muska not only passed her daycare interview but also went on to pass the HACC College entrance exam. She is now pursuing her dream of becoming a dentist, and I continue to support her as a volunteer—including helping her study for her driving permit.

Each of these five women completed vocational training that empowered them to read, write, and communicate in English with growing confidence. They secured employment, passed interviews, and acquired vital job skills—some even obtained driving permits, enhancing their independence and mobility.

It has been an honor to witness their journeys toward self-sufficiency, and I am incredibly proud of the progress they’ve made in building their futures with courage, determination, and resilience.