Celebrating student writers with a book launch!

The students at Oakland International High School have just published their latest comic anthology of immigration stories titled WE ARE OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL.

Come by the Oakland Public Library main branch on Thursday, February 23 from 5:30 to 7:30pm for a very special art exhibit and book launch. The event is free and open to the public.

Meet the students, staff and supporters, see digital stories created by the students, and buy your own copy of WE ARE OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL. All proceeds from the book go directly to the school to continue its mission of providing quality alternative public education to recently arrived immigrants.

An in-depth interview with the students will air on KQED's The California Report on Feb 24. The book is also for sale online at Amazon.

Volunteer of the Week - Katya Hawks

Katya with her student, MilionTo say we are impressed by Katya's commitment as a volunteer would be an understatement. Katya has been involved with Refugee Transitions for a little over a year, but in that year has spent an incredible amount of time with her students. She started off working with just one student - Sujata - before offering to help Sujata's sister as well (Smriti)! But it doesn't end there. Katya now also works with Milion, a student from Eritrea (pictured). Nothing can stop her from meeting with her students, as you'll hear from her below, she even meets with them in the rain! Thank you so much Katya for sharing your amazing spirit and dedication with Refugee Transitions and Sujata, Smriti, and Milion.

Name: Katya 
Neighborhood: I live in Berkeley and tutor in Fruitvale and Lake Merritt
Job: Student and preschool teacher assistant
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring

What are your hobbies? Hiking/backpacking, exploring the Bay Area, knitting, reading, organizing/decorating, and of course volunteering! 
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Malalai Joya! Joya is an extraordinary Afghan woman activist who speaks out against the war, Afghanistan's corrupt government, and the lack of women's rights in her country. She has taught adults how to read in refugee camps in Iran, and during the time the Taliban was in power she taught secret classes for girls in neighbor's basements.   
What is your favorite book? Everybody should read A Woman Among Warlords by Malalai Joya. Also, I love The Poisonwood Bible, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and Tales of a Female Nomad
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? The first place I would go would be Ukraine to try and find the villages my grandparents lived in before the war. Then I would go to Eritrea, to my student Milion's village of Senafe. She has told me that it is truly a beautiful place, surrounded by gentle brown mountains and has perfect weather. After that it would be India, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Italy, and Greece.   
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? Speak fluent Arabic, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian. It would also be handy to know how to fix computers! 
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? I have learned something important from everyone I know!
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? Wow, I have had a lot of these! With Sujata and Smriti (ages 14 and 9) there was one time when we walked the whole way around Lake Merritt, made daisy-chain crowns for our hair, and then ate ice cream at the bus stop in the pouring rain and were totally cold and wet but laughed the whole time. On the bus ride home Smriti fell asleep on our laps and then when we had to transfer buses we had to carry her between us and we must have looked pretty silly carrying a nine-year-old girl because some of the old ladies were laughing at us! With my other match, Milion, the most amazing thing has been watching her gain the ability to express herself in English. Learning a new language is the most frustrating thing, but she never stops trying. (It is also amazing to realize how much can be expressed without words!) One of my favorite moments with Milion would probably have to be the time we tried to fry cookie dough in a pan because her oven wasn't working. They didn't come out so great, but we did learn that her fire alarm is in excellent condition!

Volunteer of the Week - Sean Coffey

Sean Coffey has been a volunteer with Refugee Transitions for just over six months. He works with Kanthan (pictured second from the left), a Sri Lankan refugee who came to the U.S. just two years ago and now lives in Oakland. Sean also spends a lot of time with Roshan (pictured far left), who is Kanthan's roommate and attends Oakland International High School. Sean has been a stand-out volunteer since day one, bringing his family together with Kanthan and Roshan to share their cultures, meals, and develop genuine friendships. Thank you so much, Sean, for the commitment and warmth you bring to the Refugee Transitions community! We're incredibly lucky to have you so involved :)

Name: Sean Coffey
Neighborhood: Lake Merritt 
Job: Policy Specialist, National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring, and I've also attended a volunteer happy hour and went on a field trip with Kanthan, my student, to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

What are your hobbies? Politics, Tennis, Running, Biking, Reading, Skiing
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Elizabeth Warren
What is your favorite book? April Fools Day by Bryce Courtenay
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? I would like to travel to South Africa and Kenya. 
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? I have yet to "get up" when I've tried water skiing, so would like to learn that skill instantly.  
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? I'd have to say my three siblings. My older brother taught me compassion for others, my older sister has taught me to put myself out of my comfort zone, and my youngest sister has taught me to be a little more adventuresome.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? Sharing meals with Kanthan and Roshan (my student's roommate) and my wife has been one of my favorite activities because we joke around, we learn more about Sri Lankan culture, and he always tries to feed us more food than we can possibly eat.

Volunteer of the Week - Rasika Apte

This week we want to highlight the hard work of a long-time volunteer, Rasika Apte (pictured second from the left). Rasika has been volunteering in our home-based tutoring program since 2008 and works with a student in Oakland. And, amazingly, she has been to three of our overnight summer camps for girls in the Presidio! Each camp takes place over a weekend - two nights and three days - and is filled with enrichment activities for recently arrived refugee youth. Students play games, sing songs by the campfire, cook all their meals, go on nature walks, write, and make new friends. Rasika is always such a positive presence and we're lucky to have had her at so many camps! The girl's camp this year took place just a couple weeks ago, and she organized a talent show which was a major hit. Thanks Rasika for your stellar work - we're lucky to have you!

Name:  Rasika Apte

Neighborhood: San Francisco

RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutor in Oakland, 3 girls summer camps

What are your hobbies? Reading, crafting, yoga, baking

If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be?  My Grandmother.

What is your favorite book? Shantaram 

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? Peru, I would love to explore and see Inca ruins!

If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? Doing super fast mental math.

Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far?  I probably had a few.  Most influential teachers in my life would be my parents. I have had some motivational art professors, a great yoga instructor, and a few good grade school teachers that have impacted my life as well.

What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? Volunteering at girls camp!



Volunteer of the Week - Peter Todd

Name: Peter Todd
Neighborhood: Berkeley
Job: Engineer
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Youth Tutor

What are your hobbies? Hiking, camping, biking, reading, painting
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be?  Francis of Assisi - a remarkable person who (unlike many other remarkable people in history) would probably also be enjoyable company for dinner!
What is your favorite book? Orthodoxy, by G.K. Chesterton.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do?  I've never really been to Asia, and off-the-beaten-path places intrigue me -- backpacking trip in Nepal or Tibet, maybe?
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be?  Instantly learning any language would be pretty cool; not sure which one I would choose.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far?  Many contenders here -- perhaps my high school English teacher, who taught me to love reading.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT?  Seeing my student's interest in science, especially physiology, and how he wants to go into medicine or nursing.