MLIVE: Kentwood Afterschool Program Helps Refugee Students Flourish

When Shukuru Abasi immigrated to the United States from Tanzania, Africa, four years ago, she barely talked to anyone. She only spoke Swahili, and it was hard to make friends in a brand new country where the culture and language were completely different from where she grew up.

The 12-year-old said she was able to build confidence by coming to the Refugee Education Center in Kentwood, where she met supportive tutors and volunteers who were trained to help refugee students like her acclimate to the US.