Jiten
Meet Jiten Rai, a young Nepalese man, who came to Cleveland only a year and a half ago with one dream in mind – to join the U.S. Military. As with many newcomers, Jiten struggled with his English and knew, to pass the multiple tests necessary for acceptance into the military, he would need a lot of help with reading, writing and comprehending the English language.
“At a very young age, I saw a Nepali soldier walking on the streets, and I knew I wanted to be one,” Jiten shares. He is drawn to the honor and high regard for those who serve as well as the military lifestyle of working hard, being physically fit and working in a group towards doing something important together.
Jiten became connected to The Hope Center (THC) through his father-in-law, who has attended for many years. Jiten’s first time through its doors, he spoke with Eileen Wilson, BHITC’s Director of Refugee Ministries, and told her of his dream to join the military after he learned English. The team at THC knew they could help Jiten achieve his goal, and he quickly began taking regular English classes and was assigned a mentor, dedicated volunteer, Josh Kontur.
Josh and Jiten met twice a week for the first couple of months studying everything from math to science to medicine to English. Jiten attended very consistently and always did whatever he could to succeed – not even a daunting 400-page test prep book could stop him. He just did it.
“I have all the respect of the world for him,” says Josh. “There can sometimes be a negative narrative around refugees and immigrants, which doesn’t represent who they really are. I have seen them to be the hardest working, hopeful and most optimistic people.”
While Josh was “tutoring” Jiten as he learned English, for Josh it felt more like hanging out as friends every Tuesday and Thursday. The feeling was mutual for Jiten, who describes Josh as a talented guy, kind-hearted and encouraging. “Josh kept saying to me ‘you can do it, you can do it.’”
With “setbacks” along the way, Jiten did not let that hold him back. In fact, he failed the test twice when he tried to become a U.S. Marine because he still had so much English to learn. He also failed the test the first time for the Army, but he never gave up and never complained.
Determined to improve his English and pass the test, he finally realized his dream in September when he was accepted into the U.S. Army!
Elizabeth Taylor, the advanced ESL teacher at THC, shares that Jiten is “wonderful to work with. He always tries really hard. He is ambitious, determined, and will be great in the military.”
THC helped with everything because I didn’t know anything. Clothes to wear for a job, communications, speaking, reading. - Jiten
Jiten is 25, married, and dreamt of going to the army, and because of his consistent, hard work – and a little help from his friends at BHITC – he has succeeded. “The Army brings me happiness,” he says with so much pride.
If you want to play a part in helping a refugee or immigrant reach their dreams - you can! Sign up to be a tutor, an ESL assistant or a childcare volunteer. For more information, email Eloy Gonzalez, Ministry Engagement Manager at eloy@buildinghopeinthecity.org.