MAR 16 2021
By Sylvia Tran, Digital Content Coordinator, and Hannah Lee, Director of Community Engagement
This is a story of friendship between Bill and Saw. Today, we hear from Bill’s perspective. Join us for the next installment of their story to hear from Saw.
A few months ago, Bill Roberts had never even heard of co-sponsorship. So when his granddaughter Emily, an International Relations student at the University of Arkansas, asked him to join Canopy as a co-sponsor, he wasn’t quite sure what he was getting into. She explained that co-sponsors help refugees as they arrive in NWA and begin to settle into their new community, and he agreed to join as a favor for her.
Little did he know, his experience would soon blossom into a new friendship.
Bill attended the training offered by Canopy and prepared to be matched with a new household. When he received word that his team would be paired with Saw, he was surprised to learn that Saw would be coming alone to the US without any family or friends. Many of the households that Canopy helps resettle in NWA arrive with their families, but in some cases, our new neighbors make the journey alone. One reason that Bill felt especially inclined to connect with Saw was because he was starting over in a new place by himself. Bill has been in situations where he was brand new to the cultural framework, and remembers how difficult that can be.
I traveled some in foreign countries and did not know the language. To have someone reach out and just assist you, it’s a welcoming thing. So, that’s the reason I was anxious to help him with his first encounter with American culture
Bill was one of the first people Saw met in the US, and neither of them knew what was in store for them.
With the help of Saw’s Case Manager and the Volunteer Coordinator, Bill and his team began to show Saw around the community. Although they could not communicate with words, they could still go on walks together! The first trip that Bill and Saw went on was walking up the trail to Fayetteville Square.
I told him it was downtown Fayetteville and he marveled that there were no skyscrapers. He really liked it cause it wasn’t a big city.
Of course, the language barrier was especially challenging at first. It was a very serious effort on both of their parts to learn to communicate without a shared language. But Bill and Saw were determined to communicate with one another by using hand gestures and makeshift sign language. As Saw continued to learn English, they were able to slowly begin communicating through words and short sentences.
Bill credits much of their ability to communicate to Saw’s observant nature: Saw is intelligent and he is intuitive, so it made it easier for me to communicate. It wasn’t exactly easy, but it was doable. It was certainly doable.
Despite how difficult it could be to communicate, both felt that it was worth the effort. They like to laugh together, and Bill says that Saw is easy to make laugh and just easy to be friends with.
He is just a nice guy, so grateful and so appreciative.
Bill and Saw’s friendship is rooted in learning from one another. Bill notes that often, Saw is using English, but Bill can’t quite understand the pronunciation of the English words. “I don’t get them a lot of the time, but I’m learning!” Not only is Bill helping Saw as he learns English, he is also working on local and US vernacular! “He has picked up on slang! We were talking about this last night, he wanted to know what “cool” was. I told him one time to “buck up.” He really liked that expression!”
Bill notes that Saw is determined to integrate in the community, which is why he wants to understand American idioms and slang. “He wants to be an American. He’s studying. It’s been a fun and a long endeavor.”
The pair meets at least once or twice a week, and their adventures range from having coffee together to going on long hikes. They have hiked Yellowrock Trail at Devil’s Den and explored the trails at Kessler Mountain, as well as the trail near Saw’s apartment. On their walks around town, Bill makes sure to show him where important places are, such as the hospital and the Canopy office. They have also visited Crystal Bridges and the Air Museum in Fayetteville together.
I’ve taken him to the grocery store, though he’s learned the bus system. I did pick him up after the bus stopped running. And, another time, he called me after he was out walking and got too cold. He called me to learn how to get warm, so I got him a space heater. He was not used to the climate in Arkansas.
As Saw and Bill’s friendship continues to grow, Bill knows that Saw is ready and anxious to make NWA his home. Saw has begun making more friends, including some friends that Bill has introduced to him.
“He wants to make it on his own. He wants to get a job, but I think it will be a little bit before he feels comfortable. But, I don’t think he’s discouraged. I think he’s anxious to be part of the community. He likes it here.
The first day that Bill and Saw met, Bill asked Saw why he had to leave his home. When Saw told Bill a bit of his story, he realized how difficult and harrowing the experience of being forced to leave your home in search for safety truly is. “I’ve never experienced that, most Americans have not, but many refugees have. That’s how they’ve made it to this country.”
After learning from Saw’s stories and experiences, Bill is adamant that Saw — and so many others who have been forced from their homes — have important stories to tell, and that as a community, it is worthwhile to listen and learn from them.
They have a story to tell. I think it’s worthwhile to listen, to make them feel welcome so they can become a part of the community.
When asked what he would say to folks interested in joining Canopy’s Co-Sponsorship Department, Bill said the desire to be involved is deeper than just a volunteer opportunity. “It’s something within you. It’s something you know you want to do. It’s rewarding to me. I’ve enjoyed it.”
That’s the beauty of welcoming our new neighbors: you just might be welcoming a lifelong friend.
Are you interested in becoming a Co-Sponsor Mentor like Bill? Check out our Co-Sponsor Mentor Mini-Handbook here to see more details about what Canopy Mentorship is. Or, sign up for our next info session here to learn about Canopy Mentorship, ask questions, and hear from our team!
And remember to join us for our next installment of “Bill and Saw: How Co-Sponsorship Led to a Wonderful Friendship” to hear Saw’s side of the story!
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