Thread: A grand entrance for Mideast immigrants

A grand entrance for Mideast immigrants

Computer classes help in transition

By Cindy Bao
2:00 a.m. March 5, 2009

The name of the program, Al-Bawaba, means grand entrance in Arabic.
For the participants, people who have moved to the county from strife-torn Iraq, it has opened doors here while providing a link to back home.

For the past three years, the San Diego County Library has provided free bilingual courses on basic computer and Internet training tailored for the region's growing number of Chaldean, Iraqi, Kurdish and Arab residents.
Librarians in El Cajon began their instructional classes to help people in those groups transition into American life and give them basic training that would help them find jobs.

After receiving a federal grant administered by the county's library in 2007, the Gateway/Al-Bawaba Internet Classes were organized into monthly periods of biweekly courses and the program has expanded to five East County libraries: El Cajon, Casa de Oro, La Mesa, Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley.

A new session begins this month.

Hundreds of recent immigrants from Iraq, Egypt and Morocco, ranging from people in their early 20s to senior citizens, have participated. Jacqueline Ayala, principal librarian of the South County Region and the program's director, said the bilingual instruction in Arab and English distinguishes the program from similar courses offered in community colleges.

“Most participants come in afraid. It's important that the students are taught by instructors who know their language, who understand their culture,â€

Thank god they are going to Calefornia!

They will LOVE being gang members!

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

Thank god they are going to Calefornia!

They will LOVE being gang members!

I live near the area where they are going and I have never heard of a Chaldean, Iraqi, Kurdish or Arab gang or gang member.
Most of the gangs are Mexican, Mexican American or African American.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

Thank god they are going to Calefornia!

They will LOVE being gang members!

I live near the area where they are going and I have never heard of a Chaldean, Iraqi, Kurdish or Arab gang or gang member.
Most of the gangs are Mexican, Mexican American or African American.

Give 'em time!
What about the South American ones? They are the ones to use machetes.