Volunteer has made connection with Somalian teen

Luke Kerber was a freshman at North Central College two years ago looking for a service project when he heard about World Relief's Friendship Partner program.

"I absolutely fell in love with the idea," said Kerber, now a junior who aspires to be a guidance counselor.

He and a friend visited a refugee family from Russia living in downtown Aurora for five months -- coaching the dad in English and playing games with the children -- until the family no longer needed help.

Kerber then became a Friendship Partner to the Barre family, refugees from Somalia who had been living in Kenya, about a year and a half ago. Kerber said he has become especially close to Mohamed, the 15-year-old son.

"I get to learn about his culture. Being a history major, I love this kind of stuff," he said.

Mohamed also has a friend that it might be hard for him to find on his own. A sophomore at West Aurora High School, Mohamed not only is coping with learning English, but finding that many of his fellow students are Hispanic.

"He doesn't have a ton of friends at his age level," Kerber said.

Mohamed lives with his mother, Amina; his aunt, Hodan; sisters Kowsar, Rahmo and Ikran; and younger brother Ahmed.

"We all sit down at the table and we all work on homework," Kerber said.

Kerber, who sometimes visits with another student, also sometimes brings his fiance, who plays games with the kids. He's helped the family obtain a used computer and last year did a Christmas celebration with them.

"We have a blast," he said. "I love my family. I love working with them."

Kerber said he hopes to stay involved with the Friendship Partner program after he graduates from college.

"This type of experience is unbelievable," he said. "It's made me, as an individual, a lot more aware of poverty and other countries and how people look for a new life."