Q: Can you explain a little bit about yourself and your role in StARS?
A: In the summer of 2021 I worked with StARS giving support to the development of the curriculum. I came back for two more months, and now I am giving voluntary support with registration and legal issues. I designed the curriculum of the English subjects for primary school kids, those who are under 11 years old. This includes the most basic things, numbers, and colors. And for the older students, StARS offers two programs for teenagers, those who want to go on to college, and programs for those who want to work. They choose this, StARS always tries to make sure the children are well, and they offer them extra-curricular programs for emotional assistance.
Q: Do StARS have a waiting list?
A: There is a long waiting list. Children come to StARS and register, many are on the waiting list, but StARS really tries to place them. I think they use the criteria “first come first serve.” Many children want to go to StARS because it is free for them, they do not pay anything. In any case, StARS tries to help, they don't want to kick anyone out, they give them help with transportation.
Q: How?
A: I don’t know
Q: How many students are there in a class?
A: Once I went to a class and there were about 30 or more, but well, in each class, we have the teacher and the assistants, (youth assistants). They are from the refugee community. They are, for example, families of the students, former StARS students who have a good level of English and they often translate. I mean, you think that in a class there are many languages, and the teacher many times only speaks English and his own mother tongue. He thinks that the little ones arrive here without knowing any English, so he needs the help of some assistants from the community to translate and help them. Most of the students who register with StARS are from Sudan, but I don't know the numbers. This is what I see.
Q: Are teachers qualified?
A: Many StARS teachers and workers learned the English they know here, StARS employs people from the refugee community, and there are some teachers who are refugees. I think this is one of the best things about StARS. It creates opportunities for refugees, and it really tries to give them the idea that they are capable and that they can have a future. I don't think the teachers need to have a certificate for teaching at StARS. I don't think it is mandatory, but StARS gives support and training to teachers, on how to do the classes, the curriculum to follow, and more.
Q: How do you feel about the Sudanese curriculum?
A: I think the Sudanese curriculum is fine, many are from Sudan and want to go back there.
Q: Do StARS also offer education for adults?
A: Yes in StARS there are special classes for employees and adults. There is also the adult education program. They teach them English and Arabic, they help them find work, re-settlement and other things. StARS gives support and training to teachers, on how to do the classes and guidance about the curriculum to follow.
Q: How do you feel about how StARS is concerned about the safety of the children?
A: This is of great importance to them. There is a guard at the entrance, the school is very large. There are 4 floors and two floors for the classrooms and two floors for the offices. There is a lot of security, there are cameras and fences, and many children face racism.
Q: What did they do during COVID-19?
A: During COVID-19 they did not do online classes since many children do not have internet access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I prepared handbooks and workbooks with all the topics, information, worksheets, and activities. The children have some books, but not every child has their own book and they couldn't take it home either, so I made the workbooks so they could take it home and review the information. They all had workbooks. There was another volunteer who made more advanced workbooks for high school kids
Q: How does the class system work?
A: Each level lasts five months. For example, they prepare for the English exam, and they go to another level. My handbook covered a period of five months, I also made the lesson plans for the teachers, to support them, as teachers don't have much free time either, there is a lot of work. I told the teachers how to explain this to students, review these topics, and set their homework assignments. I still work at StARS, now I am in the UNHCR and registration department because StARS gives a lot of legal support. I know that the UNHCR collaborates with StARS, and StARS employees have meetings with UNHCR.
