Maha and Mozhgan get to know each other in PIRS English Class at South Van Family Place. They both just arrived Canada last year. Maha came from Syria, while Mozhgan came from Iran. Although they speak different native languages, and both with limited English, their desire to become friends encourage them to speak English and share lives with each other.
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Maha attends our Summer Refugee Program with her two preschool aged boys. Mozhgan’s daughter is already in high school, but since she lives close to our center, and her desire to practice English, we invite Mozhgan to volunteer in our summer Strong Start program. Everyday in our session, Maha would look for Mozhgan. Mozhgan also came every session, and look forward to see Maha and also to play with her children.
We were making butter from whipping cream one day. Everyone loved this science activity. It bought back memories of what they have been doing back at home.
One mom said, “I used to do this every day back home in India.”
“Yes, my mom used sheep skin to make butter every day,” said Maha.
Then we searched on the internet the picture of the tools that they use in their home town to make butter.
“We also make yogurt! It’s easy!” said another mom.
I asked if they know how to make cheese.
Maha said she made Cheese at home here in Canada as well.
So we have a plan.
Let’s make Cheese in our program!
Maha and Mozhgan were very excited. They shared with us the recipe, then they were going to buy and bring all the ingredients and tools to the program the following week.Here comes the big day.
Maha demonstrated to the class how to squeeze out the excess milk and wrapped it in a cloth. The dough was then ready to be refrigerated.
Here comes the final product!
Thank you Maha and Mozhgan for this amazing cooking project.
It is very VERY YUMMY.
FRESH, HEALTHY, and DELICIOUS!
It’s all gone in 15 minutes!
It’s our pleasure to have Maha and Mozhgan in our program this year. Mozhgan said, “By volunteering in this program in the summer, my English improves a lot.”
“I also treasure the friendships made in here. Me and Maha are now close friends. We message each other to chat, and go out together outside program time”
“We both have a teenage girl at the same age, and that connect us even more.”
THANK YOU MAHA & MOZHGAN!
We love you all in our program!
