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Learning English with CBC

Edmonton

Monthly feature story

Discount Daycare

November 2011 Lesson plans created by Justine Light & Jennifer Foote

www.cbc.ca/edmonton/eal/

www.alberta.ca


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Feature Story Objectives

Discount daycare for immigrant families

CLB competency outcomes Listening: Reading: Speaking: Writing:

L: Identify factual details and some implied meanings in extended narration R: Demonstrate comprehension of a one‐or two page moderately complex extended description, report, or narrative on a familiar topic S: (Global Descriptor) Pronunciation errors rarely impede communication. W: Takes notes from an oral presentation W: Write a paragraph to relate a detailed description

Language skills Vocabulary: Use vocabulary words in context and match words to their correct

definitions Grammar: Understand and identify different uses of the present perfect

Pronunciation: Identify stressed and unstressed words in sentences

Language Activities (in order of appearance in materials)

Answering comprehension questions and discussion questions about a short background text on childcare Completing pre‐listening activities to build vocabulary and prepare learners for audio Listening to the Audio to identify facts and details Listening to Audio to develop listening transfer skills Note taking and organizing ideas while listening to audio Identifying stressed and unstressed words in sentences.

Creating questions from a written text

Completing pre‐ reading vocabulary activity to read an Alberta Occupational Profile

Relating information in a job profile to personal qualities to judge employment suitability

Filling in a childcare related form


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Introduction

Before you read, think about the following questions.

What are some of the things immigrant and refugee parents worry about the most when they arrive in a new country? What kinds of support from government, schools, or the community do you think would be most helpful for newcomers to Canada who have children?

Background Reading: Finding Childcare

Finding childcare can be very stressful for parents. For parents with young children there are different

options for finding childcare. Two of the most common types of childcare are day homes and daycares.

Daycares exist all over Alberta and vary in terms of their size and the types of activities they offer. They

usually have several employees who work with the children. Day homes are run out of private homes.

However, they are still licensed and regulated by the government. Day homes usually have six or fewer

children and one caregiver. Some day homes offer flexible hours and may even offer overnight care for

parents who work nightshifts. Parents who are looking for childcare can visit the Childcare Lookup

website http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/ChildCareLookup.cfm to find government licensed

childcare in their area. The website is run by the government of Alberta and allows parents to look for

specific programs by name, or to look for childcare facilities by location and type.

Background Reading: Questions

Understanding the reading

1. What are two of the most common types of childcare?

2. How many children are usually in a day home?

3. Who runs the Childcare Lookup website?

Food for thought

4. What qualities do you think are important in a good daycare?


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The Audio

In this Audio, you will hear: CBC journalist Niall McKenna introducing us to a special daycare in

Edmonton that supports immigrants to the city by providing daycare at a cheaper rate.

Predicting

What are some reasons why immigrants to Canada may not access daycare?

Now listen to the Audio – the introduction is here to help you get started…

NIALL

MCKENNA

It's just before seven on a crisp fall morning. At first, Yonas Berha has a little trouble keeping up with his kids as they scamper to the side door of an old brick schoolhouse in McCauley. With his long legs, he catches up. This school closed last year, but a unique daycare has been allowed to stay in the basement.


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Vocabulary

The words below are from the Podcast. The definitions are next to the words. Read the definitions then do the activity below.

Word from the text Definition

1. scamper (verb) run playfully

2. unique (adjective) different or special

3. fleeing (verb) running away from a dangerous place

4. accounts (noun) peoples’ descriptions of a situation

5. jailing (verb) sending people to prison

6. torturing (verb) causing someone a lot of pain either for punishment or to get that person to do something for you

7. smugglers (noun) people who take people or things across borders illegally

8. emerged (verb) become known or visible

9. tolerant (adjective) being accepting of something unpleasant

10. assessed (verb) tested

11. address (verb) deal with something

12. exploded (verb) grown or increased very quickly

13. draining (verb) causing something to decrease

14. sponsor (verb) help someone immigrate to Canada by officially offering to financially support them when they arrive

Use the vocabulary words (questions 1‐14) above to complete the sentences. The first one is done for

you. (answers can be found in the appendix)

1. I called a meeting with my son’s teacher to address the problems he has been having in

math class.


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2. I am trying to get a better job so I can afford to _________________ my husband to

come to Canada.

3. We had my daughter _________________ for learning disabilities because she is

having trouble learning how to read.

4. I think the government should be _________________ more drug criminals.

5. The police believe that the killer is _________________ his victims before he murders

them.

6. Hundreds of people are _________________ the town because of dangerous floods.

7. The police caught five people _________________ drugs into Canada last night.

8. I talked to many people, and by all _________________ the party was very successful

and enjoyable.

9. I try to be _________________ of my son’s music, even though I really don’t like

listening to it.

10. I smiled as I watched the children _________________ across the playground.

11. My daughter’s school is _________________. It offers special classes in singing and

dance.

12. Several problems _________________ after we started the project.

13. My first book didn’t sell very well, but the sales for second one _________________

and I sold 50, 000 copies in one week!

14. My new job is very difficult and is completely _________________ my energy.


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Listening for meaning

Please answer the following questions about the reading.

1. Where is Berha from?

2. How many women started the daycare centre?

3. What are some things that are unique about the daycare?

4. Why isn’t Berha working as an accountant?

5. How did the daycare help Abigail?

6. How many children are registered at the daycare?

7. Why is the daycare in need of money?

8. What are two things Berha hopes to do in the future?


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Listening strategies

Listen to the podcast again

While you are listening, complete this table.

Each time you hear a word/phrase from one of these categories, make a check mark under the column

of who says it, by checking it in the correct place in the table.

The first one is done for you. (Answers can be found in the appendices)

Word/phrase to listen for

Niall Yonas Nehra Trina Keiver

Brick ✔

Smugglers

Yelling

Patient

Toddler

Wallet

First language

Birthdays

Gained their trust

Figure something out

Chopsticks

Painting


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Building Speaking Skills

Pronunciation: Sentence level stress.

When speaking in English, some words get more stress than others. Listen to the passage below

and notice how the underlined words get more stress (the speaker says the word louder and

longer)

McKenna At first, Yonas Berha has a little trouble keeping up with his kids as they scamper to the side door of an old brick schoolhouse in McCauley. With his long legs, he catches up. This school closed last year. But a unique daycare has been allowed to stay in the basement. Berha says it's hard to leave his kids ...

0:09

The words that are underlined are called CONTENT WORDS. They are the words that have the

most meaning.

Here are some examples of content words:

Niall, horse, table, tomorrow, slowly, funny, nice, girl, before

The words that are not underlined are called FUNCTION WORDS. They do not receive stress and

are reduced so that only part of the word is actually spoken. Function words are grammar words.

Here are some examples of function words:

on, is, am, are, the, his, with, to, he

Now, look at the words below and check whether they are content or function words. (answers can

be found in the appendix)

Content Function

1. friendly ____ ___

2. in ____ ___

3. Naomi ____ ___

4. he ____ ___

5. yesterday ____ ___

Now listen to the passage again and try to follow along with the speaker. For extra practice underline the content words in other parts of the transcript and try speaking along with person in the audio.


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Grammar Activity

Perfect aspect: The present perfect

The present perfect is very common in news, academic writing and in conversation. 1 It occurs

frequently in this news story. Can you underline all the times the present perfect is used?

Do you recall all of the possible meanings that the present perfect can carry?2

1. A situation that started in the past but continues to the present

o I have known him since 1995.

2. A situation in the past at an unspecified time that has relevance to the present

o I have eaten there many times. It is a great restaurant.

3. A very recent completed action

o Sally has just finished eating her supper.

4. A past action that is finished at the moment of speaking

o James has grown 3 centimetres since January.

5. Verbs with subordinate clauses of time or condition

o If you have eaten your vegetables, you can eat ice cream.

Now look at the verbs you have underlined from the text.

Next to each underlined verb write which of these meanings is being stated by the use of the

present perfect.

You can find the answers in the answer key.

1 Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (1999). Grammar of spoken and written English. Essex: Longman. 2 Classifications adapted from Celce‐Murcia, M., & Larsen‐Freeman, D. (1999). The Grammar book. USA: Henle & Heinle.


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Reading Activity: Alberta occupational profile: Early childhood educator

Before you read:

Read the article online

Pre‐Reading Vocabulary

The following vocabulary activity will help you to understand the reading below.

These are some difficult words from the reading. Match each word to its correct definition.

The first one is done for you. Answers can be found in the appendix.

1. Turnover (noun) C A. Make something happen

2. Implement (verb) B. Fit with the needs of

3. Interpersonal (adjective) C. Change that happens because of

arriving and leaving ✔✔ 4. Guidance (noun) D. Careful plans or methods to do

something 5. Accommodate (verb) E. Advice that tells you what to do

6. Imaginative (adjective) F. Act as an example to others

7. Complement (verb) G. Happening between people

8. Model (verb) H. Make something else better

9. Strategies (noun) I. A way of doing things that is careful and organized

10. Methodical (adjective) J. New and interesting


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Alberta occupational profile: Early childhood educator

Early Childhood Educator

Early childhood educators work with infants, toddlers, preschool and school‐aged children in a variety of settings.

Also Known As: Caregiver, Child Care Professional, Day Care Worker, Educator, Family Day Home Provider, Instructor, Play School Teacher, School Teacher, Teacher

NOC Number(s): 4214.1

Minimum Education: 1 year post‐secondary education/training

Employment Outlook: Job openings generated due to employment turnover. Occupational outlook currently unavailable.

Duties

In general, early childhood educators:

• develop and implement programs designed to meet children's social, physical, intellectual, creative, cultural, emotional and developmental needs in a play‐based environment

• build children's social and interpersonal skills and self‐esteem by establishing routines and positive guidance policies that allow children to feel secure, comfortable and safe

• establish and maintain good communication with children's families and community agencies involved in children's development.

Playschool and child care programs are based on children's interests and learning needs, and include the use of individual, small and large group activities, indoor and outdoor play, learning centres, outings and field trips. Activities are varied frequently and are designed to accommodate individual children's unique abilities. For example, a typical day's schedule might include:

• arrival and departure times • play experiences in a variety of areas (such as music, dramatic play, art, science, water


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and literacy) • snacks and meals • quiet rest time or nap time • outdoor play • a special guest, event or field trip.

A well‐designed educational environment for preschoolers includes opportunities to begin to develop independence, problem‐solving, literacy, math and science skills through creative experiences such as imaginative play.

Out‐of‐school care programs include activities designed to complement the school program, provide recreational and artistic opportunities and meet the unique needs of children aged six to 12. Educators in these environments are responsible for providing a safe, secure, relaxing and fun place for children to go before school, at lunch, after school and on school holidays.

Working Conditions

The working conditions for early childhood educators vary widely. Small programs in approved family day homes may serve fewer than six children; other child care facilities may provide care for more than 80 children.

Hours also vary:

• Most child care programs are open from 6 or 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, so early childhood educators work a changing shift within those hours. Where non‐traditional hour programs are offered, hours of work may vary more.

• Family day home providers generally work from 6 or 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday to Friday and also may work evenings and weekends.

• Part‐time programs or playschool/nursery programs may be offered during the morning or afternoon and run one to five days a week.

• Out‐of‐school care programs may require staff to work split shifts or only before or after school, or full‐time during school holiday periods.

• Family support programs often include evening hours.

Early childhood educators are on their feet most of the day and routinely lift babies and children weighing up to 20 kilograms.

Personal Characteristics

To promote positive attitudes and act as role models for the children in their care, early childhood educators must be able to:

• model appropriate behavior and language • practice proper hygiene • use clear communication techniques • use consistent, positive child guidance strategies


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• be observant • communicate effectively and work closely with children, parents and colleagues • deal creatively and effectively with any problem situations that may arise.

They should enjoy dealing with people (especially children), taking a methodical approach to their work, taking responsibility for projects and supervising others.

Produced January 2009

For more information on career planning, occupations and educational programs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website at alis.alberta.ca, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll‐free at 1‐800‐661‐3753 or 780‐422‐4266 in Edmonton or visit an Alberta Works office near you. The information contained in this profile was current as of the dates shown. Salaries, employment outlook and educational programs may change. Please check the information before making any career decisions.

© Government of Alberta, Human Services


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Reading for meaning

Do you think that being an early childhood educator would be a good job for you? Look at the job description above. Think about 2 of the duties, 1 of the working conditions, and 2 of the personal characteristics needed from the job description. Use your choices to explain why you think being an early childhood educator is, or is not, a good job for you. A sample has been done to help you. Sample: Do you think being an early childhood educator is a good choice for you? Yes no

Duty: “develop and implement programs designed to meet children's social, physical, intellectual creative, cultural, emotional and developmental needs in a play‐based environment”

” Me: I don’t have very much experience with children so I am not sure what kinds of programs

would be good for children. Working Condition: “Early childhood educators are on their feet most of the day and routinely lift babies and

children weighing up to 20 kilograms.” Me: “I have a back problem and prefer to have a job that allows me to sit much of the time.”

Personal Characteristic: “deal creatively and effectively with any problem situations that may arise”

Me: I prefer a predictable job and I am not sure how well I would deal with sudden problems.

Do you think being an early childhood educator is a good choice for you? Yes no Duty:

Me:

Duty:

Me:

Working condition:

Me:

Personal Characteristic:

Me:

Personal Characteristic:

Me:


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Reading Strategies

The goal of the reading strategies section of the monthly feature lesson is to help you to become a better reader

of all reading texts – not just this text.

Guess the question

Read the job information above for early childhood educators, one more time.

As you are reading, keep the following words in mind:

1. maintain communication 2. build skills 3. childcare programs based on 4. schedule include 5. programs open 6. act role models

Guess the questions that could be made about the job description using these words and find the answers to the questions.

1. Maintain communication

Who does the early childhood educator maintain communication with?

2. Build skills _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

3. childcare programs based on _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

4. schedule include _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

5. programs open ________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

6. act role models _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________


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Writing Activity – filling in forms Often when you want to register a child for daycare, you will be required to complete a number of forms. Below are some hints and explanations for successfully completing these forms.

Practice working with real forms following the suggestions in this activity

Form reproduced from YMCA Edmonton with permission

This question asks if you have any legal restrictions for access to your child as a result of for example: divorce.

It is very important that you understand these permissions as they may affect your legal rights. If they are too complicated, ask if a translated version is available or ask if translation services are available in your city.

Choose a trusted family friend or family member, preferably someone who is known to your child.

If your child’s diet has restrictions, due to religion, ex: halal, preferences, ex: vegetarian, allergies ex: peanuts.

If you do not complete this section, the daycare will not be able to give medication to your children.


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Links

Links to the community

For more information about the YMCA Edmonton programs and childcare:

http://www.edmonton.ymca.ca/

For more information about Rotary Clubs and fundraising:

www.rotary.org

For more information on the translation of documents, check out the Catholic Social Services

Settlement programs:

http://www.catholicsocialservices.ab.ca/CSSFindServicesbyLocation/default.aspx?id=276

For more information on occupations in Alberta:

www.alis.alberta.ca

For more information on how to access childcare, check out:

http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/ChildCareLookup.cfm

Links for language learning

In order to use the online Merriam‐Websters’ Dictionary,

http://www.merriam‐webster.com/

To access some pronunciation practice activities, visit this website: http://www.manythings.org/pp/


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Answer Keys

Introduction

Before you read, think about the following questions.

What are some of the things immigrant and refugee parents worry about the most when they arrive in a new country? What kind of support from government, schools, or the community do you think would be most helpful for newcomers to Canada who have children?

Answers will vary.

Background Reading: Questions

Understanding the reading

5. What are two of the most common types of childcare? Daycares and day homes

6. How many children are usually in a day home? Six or fewer

7. Who runs the Childcare Lookup website? The Government of Alberta

Food for thought

8. What qualities do you think are important in a good daycare? Answers will vary

Pre‐listening vocabulary

1. I called a meeting with my son’s teacher to address the problems he has been having in

math class.

2. I am trying to get a better job so I can afford to sponsor my husband to come to

Canada.

3. We had my daughter assessed for learning disabilities because she is having trouble

learning how to read.

4. I think the government should be jailing more drug criminals.

5. The police believe that the killer is torturing his victims before he murders them.

6. Hundreds of people are fleeing the town because of dangerous floods.


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7. The police caught five people smuggling drugs into Canada last night.

8. I talked to many people, and by all accounts the party was very successful and

enjoyable.

9. I try to be tolerant of my son’s music, even though I really don’t like listening to it.

10. I smiled as I watched the children scamper across the playground.

11. My daughter’s school is unique. It offers special classes in singing and dance.

12. Several problems emerged after we started the project.

13. Robinson’s first book didn’t sell very well, but the sales for second one exploded and it

sold 50, 000 copies in one week!

14. My new job is very difficult and is completely draining my energy.

Listening for meaning

1. Where is Berha from? He is from Eritrea.

2. How many women started the daycare centre? Eighteen women started the daycare.

3. What are some things that are unique about the daycare?

It doesn’t charge a lot of money, it provides workers who speak the children’s first languages, it helps parents fill out forms for daycare subsidies, and it often serves traditional food.

4. Why isn’t Berha working as an accountant?

His accounting qualifications are not recognized here.

5. How did the daycare help Abigail? They had her assessed, got money to work on her speech and hearing, and hired a childcare worker just for her who speaks her native language.

6. How many children are registered at the daycare? Sixty‐seven children are registered.

7. Why is the daycare in need of money?


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They are in need of money because their relaxed payment operation is draining their bank accounts.

8. What are two things Berha hopes to do in the future? He hopes to move to the suburbs and sponsor his brothers and sisters to come to Canada.

Listening Strategies

Word/phrase to listen for

Niall Yonas Nehra Trina Keiver

Brick ✔

Smugglers ✔

Yelling ✔

Patient ✔

Toddler ✔

Wallet ✔

First language ✔

Birthdays ✔

Gained their trust ✔

Figure something out ✔

Chopsticks ✔

Painting ✔


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Building Speaking Skills

Now, look at the words below and check whether they are content or function words. (answers can

be found in the appendix)

Content Function

1. friendly √

2. in √

3. Naomi √

4. he √

5. yesterday √

Grammar Activity –

Speaker Title: daycare

McKenna It's just before seven on a crisp fall morning. Berha 'Abigail, Galila, wait!' McKenna At first, Yonas Berha has a little trouble keeping up with his kids as they scamper

to the side door of an old brick schoolhouse in McCauley. With his long legs, he catches up. This school closed last year. But a unique daycare has been allowed to stay in the basement. Berha says it's hard to leave his kids ...1

Berha In the morning when they wake up, it's sometimes “oh I want sleep.” McKenna But he trusts these workers. He also has few options. Announcer The number of Eritreans fleeing to Ethiopia has reached 48,450. 4 McKenna Berha is a Christian who fled his native country of Eritrea as a refugee.

By many accounts, authorities were jailing and torturing religious minorities. Berha You pay a lot of uh, a lot to the smugglers because you are hiding, so you pay lots

of money. McKenna By the time the family made it to Canada three years ago, they were broke.

Berha is a trained accountant but his qualifications have not been accepted here.2

Berha When we came you accept all things. You know, uh any profession, your goal is to support the family.

McKenna He worked as a door framer. His wife started English classes. Daycare was unaffordable, until they found the MCHB Childcare. Eighteen women, all of them from Eritrea or Ethiopia, started the centre last year. They kept the fees as low as possible for immigrant families.

Keivar We sometimes bring our older toddlers in here as well and... McKenna Daycare coordinator Trina Keiver says now that the word is out, some parents in


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desperate need have emerged.2 Keivar We've had situations where someone will come in, they open their wallet and we

say they have $15 and they're trying to give us their whole $15. We say, 'You know what, we only need 10. You take the five in case you need it.2

McKenna Arrangements like these are temporary. Many of the parents have almost no English so Keivar and the staff help them fill out forms so they can get daycare subsidies. For Yonas Berha and his eldest daughter Abigail the daycare workers did much more.

Berha She can’t express anything. She expressing by like yelling and screaming and crying at first time. So unless you be tolerant and patient, you can't you can’t hold her or teach her.

McKenna The daycare got Abigail assessed, got funding to work on her speech and learning and hired a childcare worker just for her who spoke the family's native language. * Singing Frere Jacques in Amarak * In fact, almost all workers here speak the first languages of the children they work with.

Keivar When they see someone of their first language, of their culture, they can interact with them. Once we have gained their trust for watching their children, then they're able to address their other issues that they're having within their lives, whether it be housing or food or work or school."5

McKenna Upstairs in the kitchen, a worker piles roast chicken legs dripping with sauce from an oven pan into a bowl. Traditional food is served regularly. Flat bread known as injera for Ethiopian and Eritrean children, noodles and chopsticks for Vietnamese. * Happy Birthday sung * After lunch, cake for today's two birthdays. Trina Keiver says the daycare's popularity has exploded.

Keiver We are currently full.

McKenna More than full, 67 children registered for only 65 spots. Keiver says the relaxed payment operations are draining their bank accounts.

Keiver Definitely, by the end of March we need to figure something out, is our goal.

McKenna Help appears to be on the way. One of Edmonton's Rotary Clubs has committed 2 to raise thousands of dollars a year for the centre. A promise that will help many more families.

OK, friends, we continue with uh, yesterday's file.

McKenna Ten minutes drive away in a windowless computer lab, Yonas Berha taps on a keyboard. He's taking a course so he can finally work as an accountant in Canada. He says his dreams are coming true at last, and it's not about making more money. As he drives back to the daycare, he sings something he may never have been allowed to back home. 2 *singing* What are you

Berha I'm just free, by Jesus Christ. It's free of belief here. No one tells you don't go to church."


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McKenna At the daycare, it's been ten hours since Berha has seen his daughters. 1

Berha "What you are doing now?

Child Painting.

Berha Painting what?

Child A rainbow

Berha Wow! So we are going to take home?

McKenna Soon, Berha hopes to move his family to the suburbs. Then he wants to sponsor his brothers and sisters to come to Canada.

Berha I want them to be free.

McKenna Without this daycare, Berha says he wouldn't be able to any of this.

Berha So they are struggling for better life for me.

McKenna And he hopes other immigrants will get the same help. For CBC Radio, I'm Niall McKenna in Edmonton.

Reading Activity – Pre‐Reading vocabulary

1. Turnover (noun) C

2. Implement (verb) A

3. Interpersonal (adjective) G

4. Guidance (noun) E

5. Accommodate (verb) B

6. Imaginative (adjective) J

7. Complement (verb) H

8. Model (verb) F

9. Strategies (noun) D

10. Methodical (adjective) I


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Reading Activity Do you think that being an early childhood educator would be a good job for you? Look at the job description above. Think about 2 of the duties, 1 of the working conditions, and 2 of the personal characteristics needed from the job description. Use your choices to explain why you think being an early childhood educator is, or is not, a good job for you. A sample has been done to help you. Answers will vary. This is a sample of each type of answer only.

Do you think being an early childhood educator is a good choice for you?

Yes no

Duty: “develop and implement programs designed to meet children's social, physical, intellectual creative, cultural, emotional and developmental needs in a play‐based environment”

” Me: I don’t have very much experience with children so I am not sure what kinds of programs

would be good for children. Working Condition: “Early childhood educators are on their feet most of the day and routinely lift babies and

children weighing up to 20 kilograms.” Me: “I have a back problem and prefer to have a job that allows me to sit much of the time.”

Personal Characteristic: “deal creatively and effectively with any problem situations that may arise”

Me: I prefer a predictable job and I am not sure how well I would deal with sudden problems.

Reading Strategies Answer key

1. Maintain communication

Who does the early childhood educator maintain communication with?

2. Build skills _How can childcare workers build children’s skills? ________________________________________________________________

3. Childcare programs based on What are childcare programs based on? _________________________________________________________________

4. schedule include What activities could be included in a typical day? programs open __What times do daycare programs usually open and close?

5. act role models __How do childcare workers act as role models for the children in the daycare?


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Transcript

Speaker Title: daycare Time

McKenna It's just before seven on a crisp fall morning. 0:00 Berha 'Abigail, Galila, wait!' 0:08 McKenna At first, Yonas Berha has a little trouble keeping up with his kids as they scamper

to the side door of an old brick schoolhouse in McCauley. With his long legs, he catches up. This school closed last year. But a unique daycare has been allowed to stay in the basement. Berha says it's hard to leave his kids ...

0:09

Berha In the morning when they wake up, it's sometimes “oh I want sleep.” 0:34 McKenna But he trusts these workers. He also has few options. 0:40 Announcer The number of Eritreans fleeing to Ethiopia has reached 48,450. 0:44 McKenna Berha is a Christian who fled his native country of Eritrea as a refugee.

By many accounts, authorities were jailing and torturing religious minorities. 0:51

Berha You pay a lot of uh, a lot to the smugglers because you are hiding, so you pay lots of money.

1:00

McKenna By the time the family made it to Canada three years ago, they were broke. Berha is a trained accountant but his qualifications have not been accepted here.

1:08

Berha When we came you accept all things. You know, uh any profession, your goal is to support the family.

1:16

McKenna He worked as a door framer. His wife started English classes. Daycare was unaffordable, until they found the MCHB Childcare. Eighteen women, all of them from Eritrea or Ethiopia, started the centre last year. They kept the fees as low as possible for immigrant families.

1:23

Keivar We sometimes bring our older toddlers in here as well and... 1:41 McKenna Daycare coordinator Trina Keiver says now that the word is out, some parents in

desperate need have emerged. 1:43

Keivar We've had situations where someone will come in, they open their wallet and we say they have $15 and they're trying to give us their whole $15. We say, 'You know what, we only need 10. You take the five in case you need it.

1:48

McKenna Arrangements like these are temporary. Many of the parents have almost no English so Keivar and the staff help them fill out forms so they can get daycare subsidies. For Yonas Berha and his eldest daughter Abigail the daycare workers did much more.

2:00

Berha She can’t express anything. She expressing by like yelling and screaming and crying at first time. So unless you be tolerant and patient, you can't you can’t hold her or teach her.

2:14

McKenna The daycare got Abigail assessed, got funding to work on her speech and learning and hired a childcare worker just for her who spoke the family's native language. * Singing Frere Jacques in Amarak * In fact, almost all workers here speak the first languages of the children they work with.

2:28

Keivar When they see someone of their first language, of their culture, they can interact with them. Once we have gained their trust for watching their children, then they're able to address their other issues that they're having within their

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lives, whether it be housing or food or work or school."

McKenna Upstairs in the kitchen, a worker piles roast chicken legs dripping with sauce from an oven pan into a bowl. Traditional food is served regularly. Flat bread known as injera for Ethiopian and Eritrean children, noodles and chopsticks for Vietnamese. * Happy Birthday sung * After lunch, cake for today's two birthdays. Trina Keiver says the daycare's popularity has exploded.

3:03

Keiver We are currently full. 3:47

McKenna More than full, 67 children registered for only 65 spots. Keiver says the relaxed payment operations are draining their bank accounts.

3:49

Keiver Definitely, by the end of March we need to figure something out, is our goal. 3:57

McKenna Help appears to be on the way. One of Edmonton's Rotary Clubs has committed to raise thousands of dollars a year for the centre. A promise that will help many more families.

4:00

OK, friends, we continue with uh, yesterday's file. 4:10

McKenna Ten minutes drive away in a windowless computer lab, Yonas Berha taps on a keyboard. He's taking a course so he can finally work as an accountant in Canada. He says his dreams are coming true at last, and it's not about making more money. As he drives back to the daycare, he sings something he may never have been allowed to back home. *singing* What are you

4:13

Berha I'm just free, by Jesus Christ. It's free of belief here. No one tells you don't go to church."

4:43

McKenna At the daycare, it's been ten hours since Berha has seen his daughters. 4:55

Berha "What you are doing now?

4:59

Child Painting. 5:00

Berha Painting what? 5:01

Child A rainbow 5:02

Berha Wow! So we are going to take home? 5:03

McKenna Soon, Berha hopes to move his family to the suburbs. Then he wants to sponsor his brothers and sisters to come to Canada.

5:08

Berha I want them to be free. 5:15

McKenna Without this daycare, Berha says he wouldn't be able to any of this. 5:18

Berha So they are struggling for better life for me. 5:22

McKenna And he hopes other immigrants will get the same help. For CBC Radio, I'm Niall McKenna in Edmonton.

5:25

learning english with cbc edmonton monthly feature story ... · 6. torturing (verb) causing someone...

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