My cell phone rang about 9:30 this morning. I was surprised to hear Alma’s brother Alonzo on the other end. He was asking where I was. I suppose that my message for him to go and register at Messick Vocational School for ESL and basic education classes by 8AM wasn’t understood. He was excited about going to school and even more happy about the classes being available to him for free. Yesterday I printed a map with directions on it for him to use to get to Messick. I spent about 15 minutes going over the 4 step directions and left him the map and phone number. I explained to him to wake up early and to be there at or just before 8AM and encouraged him to take along with him a few of his friends who also needed to register and expressed that he could do this on his own. All he had to do was get there on time and there would be people ready to help him register for classes that would start in August. Well, Alonzo didn’t understand.

He called today looking for me to take him. “You can drive, remember Alonzo?” I reminded him I left him a map and that he was already too late. He was very sad and confused. Alonzo, from Somalia speaks just enough English to sort of wiggle by in the US. He likes to think he understands and can speak more than he actually can and so therefore he doesn’t take the time to slow down and listen nor does he put much effort into trying to practice his English. Compared to his fellow Somalians in Memphis, he is ahead with his English but just not enough for others to understand or for himself to understand other Americans. Alonzo will have to wait and register in July. Maybe then I can arrange to take him and a group of other adults needing an education.

Since Alonzo missed the registration, he decided to inquire with me about a job which I mentioned to his sister, Alma, about on the way to the immigration office yesterday. There was a Garden Ridge almost across the street from the Immigration office that had several signs posted near the street that said they were hiring. I attempted to tell Alonzo where Garden Ridge was and what it was. He said he understood but I could tell he didn’t. After I hung up the phone, I received two phone calls from other Somalian people who spoke a little better English trying to translate the job information for Alonzo.

I don’t understand Lord. How is sweet Alonzo supposed to get a job? He needs someone to teach him how to apply for a job. He needs to learn more English and get his GED, but he must work to help support himself, his sister and his two nieces (their mother, his sister, passed away). I think he needs a male American mentor. I wish I were closer so that I could help Alonzo get himself a few blocks to Garden Ridge and help him to speak with a manager there to explain a little of his situation and literally beg with him for a position cleaning or stocking shelves or something. How would it look to a manager if an applicant came with someone advocating for them?

I know Alonzo like many other refugee men and women want to work and are hard workers. Many refugees are educated some or a lot in their own countries and come here to do grunge work like cleaning bathrooms and washing dishes.

I once went job hunting with a guy named Jaden. He was from Eritrea. We first searched for available jobs on the internet. We then decided to drive to a few places because the online application process was too tedious for Jaden to understand or complete himself. He was looking for physical labor, entry level type jobs even though he was a skilled leather laser man in his country. We located a janitorial job at Auto Zone and decided to go around the corner to the headquarters and just apply. Jaden borrowed his friends white dress shirt, pants and shoes and we headed out. When we entered the lower level of Auto Zone we were greeted by a stern security officer that said all applications were only accepted online. After several other companies indicated they only did online application processing, we decided to go to the library to use the free computers and apply for jobs.

Jaden had never been to the library. I helped him get his library card and explained to him how he could borrow books and use the computer for free. The system for using the computers was confusing even for me but we finally got on a computer and began filling out applications. I was shocked at the length of the applications and the detail in them just for a job cleaning bathrooms and offices. There were questions like, “Why do you feel you are the right person for this job” and “What experience do you have that would be helpful to you in this job”? I mean, come on! For a cleaning job?

Jaden was inexperienced with a computer and couldn’t have completed the 2.5 hour application on his own. The sad part was that we were in the middle of the application and the free library computer timed out! Needless to say, our American system for obtaining a job isn’t working well for many who are in poverty especially my refugee friends.

Talking to Alonzo today reminded me of my experience with Jaden and a few other refugee friends of mine that I know are job hunting and struggling. There must be a better way. Lord, show me.

I’m working on logos for Asha’s Refuge a lot today and have an idea that might be it. I’ll share it soon I hope. My mind isn’t able to give all it has into the logo though because I’m thinking about a job for Alonzo. I realize it’s hard for many Americans to find a job these days. I wonder how Asha’s Refuge could help refugees in desperate situations apply for and obtain jobs. Could Asha’s Refuge begin to hire refugees at some point?