Written by EEC Board Vice President Margery Leveen Sher
Many may think of the English Empowerment Center as a place where immigrants and refugees can learn English. That is true and that is critically important, but that idea considers only the word “English” in our name. The real influence of the English Empowerment Center lies in the second word of the name: “Empowerment”!
Enjila is a wonderful example of someone who has been empowered to succeed. She says, “The English Empowerment Center changed my life. It enabled me to discover and explore my hidden abilities. It helped me greatly improve my self-esteem and confidence. It opened the door for me to realize my dream of being a professional in the US. I discovered my passion for helping others. I now know that I want to help empower Afghan women and other deprived members of society to achieve their goals.”
Enjila earned a bachelor’s degree from a medical college in Afghanistan and was trained as a pediatrician. But after graduating, she needed to help support her family so she worked for 15 years as a teacher in math and English. She eventually worked in the US embassy, and so was able to receive Permanent Legal Resident status when she was evacuated to the US in 2021.
Enjila took English Empowerment Center classes for a year and a half. Now she says, “I feel like a member of the family and a member of the team.” And she continues, “The teachers helped me change my life. Their compassion and commitment is amazing. They understand what we are going through.”
Since Enjila was a top student, she received a great honor. She was asked to become a paid teacher’s aide with the English Empowerment Center. She is now working with teacher Kobi Carter. Kobi is so impressed by Enjila’s enthusiasm, wonderful personality, humility, and impressive language skills. Since Enjila speaks Dari and Pashtu, as well as English, she can relate to the Afghan women in the class. Plus, she can give them some informal advice about their children since she is a trained pediatrician. Kobi says, “I can teach the tools so that the learners gain English proficiency, but Enjila provides something much more. She is the inspiration! Here is an Afghan woman in a position of authority. What a role model she is!”