The language of home
During food pantry hours we had Ukrainian refugees come in for services. This isn't the first time that we've served Ukrainian refugees, but it is the first time that we served this particular family. The mother and son enter the building paired for a language barrier, as the mom has a translating app up on her phone. As mom meets with our director of social services her son hangs out with one of our volunteers, this particular volunteer has a passion for learning languages and is everything you would expect a grandmother to be.
The volunteer and the boy, strike up a conversation as she attempts to learn numbers in his language. He's excited to teach her, but the language barrier was rather severe. However, this volunteer is determined, as she pulls out her phone and opens Duolingo. The boy lights up with excitement as he hears his language and can share in a brief moment with someone, in this big new country, who cared enough to learn his language. The language of home. These moments will never find themselves on a stat line, but we believe will forever be how he remembers The Salvation Army.