JCU STAND Shows University of Delaware Students Another Side of Life in Rome
JCU’s STAND is raising the awareness of the plight of refugees amongst American college students. Accompanied by Professor James Magee from the University of Delaware, a group of 15 students volunteered on the 12 and 13 of January at the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center.
Prof. Magee and his students experienced S.T.A.N.D members’ regular Friday volunteer work, from serving breakfast to teaching English. For JCU S.T.A.N.D. it was very gratifying to be able to spread awareness about the issues that refugees face in Italy and to share the experience of being part of the JCU community. In addition it was wonderful to see Professor Magee and his University of Delaware students interact at the refugee center where they made many new friends in particular while teaching the English and Computer classes.
Professor Magee and his students donated 300 Euros to S.T.A.N.D by purchasing toiletries and clothes for the Refugee center. Needless to say JCU S.T.A.N.D is extremely thankful for their contribution.
Professor Magee and his group of University of Delaware students will be returning on February 1st and JCU Stand is more than pleased to welcome them back to Rome!
About the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center from their website:
“The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, located in the crypt of St. Paul’s Within the Walls, is the only day center in Rome available to refugees. The JNRC represents an oasis, a haven where refugees can come to get advice and aid, spend time with people who speak their own languages, watch news bulletins from around the world, learn English, Italian, computer skills, and basic skills to help them adjust to living in Europe.
More than twenty years ago, the then Rector of St. Paul’s, the Rev. Wilbur Woodhams, invited a young Ugandan priest, himself a refugee, to open a ministry to the many Africans who in that era found themselves in Rome, victims of upheaval, persecution and revolution at home. The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center was blessed and rededicated in June 1995 to an expanded and recommitted ministry in the presence of Bishop Rowthorn, the Rev. Joel Nafuma, and representatives from the Rome ecumenical and international communities.”
