Refugee children tutoring program starts up for 2012-2013

Mentorship, Academics, and Self-esteem: Tutoring and Engaging with Refugee Youth (MASTERY) is a weekly K-12 tutoring program for refugee youth in Durham run by Kenan Institute for Ethics students Grace Benson and Jennifer Sherman.

The program pairs Duke undergraduate tutors and refugee students with the goal of providing mentorship, assistance with schoolwork, English tutoring, and a supportive community. While tutors help with studying and homework, their primary job is to encourage the students, support their creativity and potential, and help students to develop and achieve ambitious goals. Through the relationships developed in this class, college students help mentor and inspire younger students by sharing their own passion for learning.

This program is designed to inspire Duke undergraduates through their engagement with the Durham community. We hope that by working with refugees, students will develop a better awareness of global issues present at a local level. We want both tutors and students to come away with a more clear understanding of their community and a renewed love of learning.

Plans for MASTERY throughout the year include creative projects, celebrations of holidays from our many cultures, academic achievement and community building.