Immigrant and refugee…words often heard and frequently misunderstood. These sometimes-charged words take on different meanings when connected to the names and faces of friends. Soon after participating in the United Nations Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action as a GOODdler intern, I visited the International Newcomers Academy. I was amazed. Students from 47 countries speaking 26 languages. Some who only months earlier were at war with one another in their home countries, were here laughing and learning together. I had no idea such a magical school existed, let alone right here in my city. But once I did, I had to be a part of it.
Inspired by my time at the Compact, I immediately set out to organize youth volunteers from HOPE worldwide and my school in projects at the school. My first project was a Welcome Table for the school’s front lobby. INA’s principal wanted to celebrate their diversity but had concerns about the flying flags of all the students’ nations in front of the school. She told me she had cause to believe it might incite violence or vandalism and persuaded me that a less visible rock garden in the rear courtyard would be safer. So my next project was a rock garden called Unity ROCKS painted by students with flags of their home countries. The realization that people in my hometown might violently target this amazing school because its students are from other countries really bothered me. But it also helped me to come to an understanding that newcomers’ greatest need was not random diversity-themed projects around the school but developing meaningful relationships that would change our community by building bridges of mutual trust and understanding. So, with the goal of sharing reciprocal friendship and overcoming the great deficit of kindness and compassion, I designed a high school buddy program, called Oné Respé, after a Haitian greeting of welcome meaning honor and respect. I pitched the idea to faculty at my school and the International Newcomers Academy and did a variety of fundraising to cover expenses.
For two years now, Oné Respé has paired teenagers at Cleveland independent schools with immigrant and refugee students to play, create, eat, serve and laugh together. This friendship-based integration program is thriving, cultivating honor and respect, bolstering language acquisition and fostering social connections. Oné Respé is also helping American-born students broaden their worldview, gain understanding of global society, cultures, governments, religions and the realities of being a refugee or immigrant. Where possible, we pair newcomers with American students studying the newcomer’s first language.
Karson (USA) and Israel (Congo)
My buddy Israel is Congolese and speaks French. I study French. When we’re together, he and I take turns each teaching our first language. Israel’s English improved so rapidly that he transferred to another school after only one year. His teacher said she'd never before seen a one-year improvement in English proficiency scores like his and, “this authentic purpose for using conversational English with American peers is invaluable socially and academically.” Changing schools means Israel is no longer participating in the program, but we will be friends forever.
Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow. We can also be leaders and changemakers today.
The United Nations Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action taught me that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow. We can also be leaders and changemakers today. By boldly sharing the dreams on my heart with others and helping them see my vision, together we are doing something incredible. My list of supporters in this effort is long: HOPE worldwide, GOODdler, University School, International Newcomers Academy, Beaumont School, Cleveland Leadership Center, Global Cleveland, LoPresti Board, private donors, Cleveland Metro Schools, The Cleveland Church, friends, classmates and more. The best moments have been times like seeing the joy on the face of Mustafa from Afghanistan when his buddy John and I went to see him perform in a play; or when Junior asked, as we played cards with my parents at my kitchen table, if all American families play cards at 10 o'clock at night. I smiled and asked what Congolese families do at 10 o'clock at night. Junior replied, "we sleep!" Or the times when my classmates first realized something they had in common with their buddy or uncovered a bias they held about people from radically different places and circumstances. These moments and many like them demonstrate that my Oné Respé dream has become reality. I want other young people to know that their dream for a better world can become reality too.
Author: Karson Baldwin is a 17-year-old junior at University School in Ohio. He serves as a GOODdler intern and on the HOPE worldwide National Youth Advisory Council and is the founder of Oné Respé