By Jen Myers
Orbin Castaneda Flores grew up on a farm in Honduras, harvesting vegetables and coffee. He came to the United States six years ago at the age of 30, not knowing a word of English.
“I never imagined I could come here to this country and six years later I would be here speaking in front of you,” he said to the crowd that filled Lowell High School’s Irish Auditorium on June 7 for Frederick Assad Abisi Adult Education Center‘s 47th graduation exercises. “I think if I can do it, you can do it too.”
Flores said he woke up every morning excited to go to class and learn not only from his teachers, but also the other students from around the globe. He completed two years of classes and then quit in his third year, but not for long.
“I came back because when I was talking to people, I felt not comfortable with my skills and I needed to learn more English,” he said, adding that language was not all that he learned at Abisi. “I learned how to open a bank account, how to travel around by getting a driver’s license and how to buy a car. I found the help I needed for success here in the United States.”
“I think everybody has the power to change their life,” Flores continued. “You have to be strong. You have to work hard to support your family; and you have to push yourself hard to be a better person every day.”
Flores was one of 1,900 students who were enrolled at Abisi Adult Education this year, 608 of whom earned certificates of completion in English and another 65 who earned their High School Equivalency credential.
Director of Abisi Adult Education Betty McKiernan explained that Abisi, the largest adult basic education program in New England, offers in-person, morning and evening classes at their location on Merrimack Street, as well as at satellite locations at Community Teamwork Inc., the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, and new this year – evening classes at the Moody Elementary School. Remote classes are also available.
This year’s students range in age from 16 to 73, hale from 60 nations and speak 37 different languages. This year, 12 students have become U.S. citizens and three dozen others in are process.
The English classes are not just about learning the language, but the students are also offered math, civics, social studies, and conversation classes. Both ESOL students and those studying to earn their high school equivalency credential learn about government, tour City Hall, visit the Lowell National Historical Park, and tour the Pollard Memorial Library and learn about all of the services they offer.
Students have the opportunity through partnerships with more than 40 local organizations to do things like receive help applying for health insurance from Lowell Community Health Center staff, attend in-person and virtual job fairs and seminars through MassHire, and take financial literacy classes through Jeanne D’Arc and Workers Credit Unions, among other services.
However, their time at Abisi is about more than self-improvement. They also become part of the community.
This year, students and staff donated ethnic food to Coalition for a Better Acre’s food pantry, raised $685 for It’s All About the Kids, donated toiletry kits to a local women’s shelter, and raised $5770 for Lowell General Hospital’s TeamWalk for Cancer Care.
“I think you can clearly see what a wonderful group of students and staff we have at Abisi Adult Education,” McKiernan said.
The graduates, their families, and friends were joined at the ceremony by Mayor Danny Rourke, Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner, City Councilor John Leahy, Chief Schools Officer Wendy Crocker-Roberge, and Chief Equity and Engagement Officer Latifah Phillips.
“Your achievements open new doors and possibilities and a brighter future,” said Rourke, applauding not only the students’ hard work but also their resilience and determination. “Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication is truly inspiring. We are honored to be part of your educational journey and look forward to celebrating with you all of your future successes.”
One graduate who is already seeing those new doors open is Sandy Huynh, who earned her High School Equivalency credential this spring.
Huynh, who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam, first came to Abisi to learn English and then stayed to earn her high school credential.
“I’ve had many obstacles and challenges in my life, but I never give up,” said Huynh. “The curriculum (at Abisi) was so perfect and the friends and staff were wonderful. I was happy at Abisi Adult education and got all of the help I needed.”
This fall, Huynh will begin classes at Middlesex Community College on a path to become a medical interpreter so she can “help the many people who come to America and do not understand English so they can get the right medical treatment.”
Huynh, the mother of a 14 and a 10-year-old son, said her hard work and perseverance has not only positively impacted her, but also her family.
“Getting my high school credential has also shown my children just how important it is to stay in school and finish their education,” she said “When I told my mom that I would be receiving my high school credential she was so happy and proud of me.”
“If you are in the ESOL program, don’t stop there – keep moving ahead with your education,” she told her fellow graduates. “If you are in the HSE program keep your mind focused, make a promise to yourself to complete your goals.”
Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner said when he visits Abisi Adult Education, he is filled with the same sense of joy he felt as a boy growing up in rainy Ireland on the days when the sun would shine after days of constant downpours.
“I know you have faced challenges and you are getting joy because you are overcoming challenges,” he said. “I am so admiring of you to persist and to keep going.”
The joy that emanates from the hard work and accomplishments of the students, he continued, stems from the teachers and staff.
“When I go there and I see and feel this joy it’s because the people who are teaching you are very smart and have such skill,” Skinner said. “They know how to teach so you can learn and they know their content. They are so good because they care. They care about you and that is love. They have love for their work and they have love for you and it shows.”
Skinner concluded by wishing the students well in their future endeavors and thanking them for their contributions to the community.
“You make this city and this community so much better, so much richer, because you are here,” he said.
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