Teaching with Love

Sister Jean Greenwald

Sister Elise Silvestri

Welcoming strangers has always been a part of the mission of School Sisters of Notre Dame. So when the opportunity to teach English to refugees in Austria presented itself, Sisters Jean Greenwald and Elise Silvestri jumped at the chance. From their previous work with refugees, they understood the importance of this ministry.

The pair will go to Eggenburg, Austria, for nearly two months as part of the Willkommen Mensch in Eggenburg program to teach English to refugee children and teenagers from Afghanistan, Syria, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. So far, about 30 students have registered in the program.

The refugees arrived in Austria more than a year ago, and have spent the last year learning German. According to the Austrian school system, they must begin learning English after one year of being in the country because schools there require learning English in the fifth grade.

“This project is so in tune with the mission of SSND, particularly from the perspective of the family experience, that it touched our hearts the most,” said Sister Elise.

The sisters learned of this opportunity from an announcement sent to sisters around the Central Pacific Province. The organizers of this tutoring program are translators for the SSND Generalate in Rome who felt sisters in the United States would be ideal to join this program, which has been in operation for several years.

The town Sisters Elise and Jean will teach in is unique because of its small size and relatively large number of refugees it chose to accept. Eggenburg has 3,000 residents, but has accepted 72 refugees, a sizeable percentage by most standards. The town has provided refugees with housing, clothing and food and has given them advanced German language courses. Most importantly, though, it is the welcoming atmosphere that has made the biggest impact.

Program operator Christine Schneider-Heinz explained, “There are challenges and setbacks for those coming here. We can teach them German and English, which is important, but isn’t the most important thing. More than anything, it is the love we put into teaching that means the most.”

Sister Elise previously has helped other immigrants adjust by using education. She helped establish the Immigrant and Women’s Refugee Program in St. Louis, which not only helps women learn to read, write and speak English, but also learn how to function in American society. Sister Jean has worked with English as a second language teacher, as well, so the sisters understand the possible hurdles, but remain positive about the outcome.

“One of our initial challenges will be to learn about the children and teenagers individually and how to best create positive, uplifting learning experiences that will help them succeed in their new lives,” said Sister Elise. “We cannot erase the trauma, but we can build on the love and acceptance of this wonderful community of Austrian people who took them in by providing a caring educational environment to help them adjust.”

Sisters Jean and Elise will send photos and updates during their time in Austria. Be sure to visit Latest News and our Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram for updates.