Ahmed came to The Employment Skills Center after unsuccessful attempts in high school. He found the courses to be too challenging for him in school.  He was illiterate in his native language and spoke very broken English. Ahmed sought help so that he could help to provide for his mother and 3 siblings. His father had been killed in Afghanistan. Ahmed began attending classes two days per week. He then began to supplement his classes with sessions with a private tutor. After months of very diligent work, Ahmed became a U.S. Citizen. He now has a good job and is able to provide for his family. He believes that without The Employment Skills Center he would still be looking for a job and would be struggling to provide for his family. 

"I came to Carlisle, PA after the war in Bosnia. After the war everyone in my town was forced to leave. They were told they could not live there anymore because they said it was being cleaned for Croatians. I think you call it "ethnic cleansing".

I had nothing and my husband was being held and suffered as a hostaqe. I wanted to leave and help give my children a better life.  A friend said that American people were welcoming Bosnian people and that Carlisle was a good small town.

Since coming here my family is happy. My children speak good English and sound like Americans.

I learn English so I can speak with my children, to shop and talk with other people. It is hard when you cannot say the things you are thinking.

The ESOL class really helps me to do many things. It helps me to not to be afraid to talk. I work on psaying words right, understanding people, reading stories to my kids and writing my story. Without this class I will not be happy. I am helping America by being a better speaker and listener of English."

Semsa - Bosnian Student of ESOL