Think of the last time you were away from home and felt hungry. You probably ordered a burrito from DoorDash or Postmates. But Rauch didn’t have that luxury.
Rauch's path to the United States was not an easy one. Fleeing his war-torn homeland, South Sudan, he dreamed of a better life and a brighter future. He found temporary refuge in Kenya, where he spent two years in a refugee camp. During that time, Rauch faced the harsh realities of displacement. The camp was far from the city, and food was a challenge.
“The food had to be delivered to us by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees),” Rauch explained. “And when there was a shortage of food, you would be starving.”
Rauch's dream became a reality when he arrived in Las Vegas. He worked at a casino to support himself and later lived in Council Bluffs before arriving in Lincoln in 2008. Now he works as a custodian for Lincoln Public Schools.
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Free language classes
In 2018, Rauch's path intersected with Jim Kisling, a compassionate volunteer at First Lutheran Church.
Rauch explained, “The church gave an opportunity for the Sudanese to come and learn the language … They said everyone who was willing to come could join English as a Second Language. So, we were welcome because we have people who really volunteered to help.”
The church collaborates with Lincoln Literacy to provide language instruction. Kisling, a church member and former English teacher, recognized Rauch's passion for education and his natural ability to connect with people. Kisling became Rauch's one-to-one tutor and friend.
“I remember [Rauch] encouraging the other Sudanese people who were there that this was a really good opportunity and they needed to take advantage of it,” said Kisling.
English is Rauch’s third language – his native language is Nuer, and he also speaks Arabic – so he knows firsthand the importance and challenge of language learning.
“Language is a tool for you to use,” Rauch explained. “If you understand the language, then you will not have a problem with your friend who you work with.”
Thriving in Lincoln
Rauch's dedication to learning English was unwavering. He attended Lincoln Literacy classes at First Lutheran Church. Rauch's fluency in English improved, allowing him to communicate effectively and understand the culture of his new home.
Today, Rauch is a proud husband and father of three in Lincoln, where he continues to make a profound impact on his children's lives. His dedication and hard work have even earned him the admiration of his children’s teachers. One teacher asked during a parent-teacher conference if someone was tutoring his children in English. He said, “No, I do.”
“He works with his children,” Kisling said. “And because we spend a lot of time on grammar and sentence structure and writing, he’s able to share what he has learned with them.”
Hard work and sacrifice
Despite his dedication, Rauch has had to sacrifice to learn English. Because his family owns just one car, he must drive everyone where they need to go. His oldest son joined the National Guard, attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and works at a local bank. His other two children are very active in school and at work. His wife also needs to get to work every day.
Before meeting with Kisling for class, Rauch takes his wife and children to work and school. Later in the day, he works the third shift, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., at LPS.
“He's impressed me because he's so dedicated and hardworking,” Kisling said. “He will not give up.”
Hope for the future
Rauch's journey hasn’t stopped at learning English. Empowered by work and Kisling’s English tutoring, Rauch is dreaming of an even better future. When his family no longer needs him to drive them to school and work, he plans to take computer classes at Lincoln Literacy and then pursue nursing at UNL or Southeast Community College.
Kisling and his wife Connie teach two English classes with eight students each via Zoom. They use the Challenger series, which Lincoln Literacy introduced to Jim.
“We introduce vocabulary words that are in the reading, the stories, and then talk about definitions and correct pronunciation,” Jim said. “Then we ask questions referring back to the story that we read.”
“He gave me the system to break the word, the syllable,” said Rauch. “If you break the word in syllable, no matter how long the word is, you will be able to pronounce it.”
Fostering community
Kisling started volunteering with Lincoln Literacy in 2016 after he retired. “I needed to have something more to do now that I wasn’t as busy,” he explained. “My wife suggested I talk to Lincoln Literacy, because I've always had a love for English.”
For Kisling, teaching English is not just about language proficiency; it is about fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. Through his volunteer work, he helps his students navigate the complexities of their new lives, providing them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in the U.S.
“I have to appreciate Jim for what he does, what he did for me,” Rauch said. “Jim is very compassionate, and he has genuine interest to help.”
Rauch's story is a testament to the power of cross-cultural friendships, and the belief that literacy can change lives.
“Communication is a key,” he said. “I know the language, and I know the culture, and I know what I can do if I live here for the future.”
More about Lincoln Literacy
Established in 1972, Lincoln Literacy is an award-winning, community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Thanks to 185 trained volunteer tutors, it has grown to become a community leader in helping refugees and immigrants gain the English language skills, cross-cultural competence, workplace skills and career navigation they need to become productive citizens, while also helping homegrown Nebraskans acquire the skills they need to attain living-wage jobs. More than 100 classes per week are hosted six days per week in the neighborhoods where Lincoln Literacy’s students live – including schools, churches, partner nonprofits, and businesses where the organization teaches employees to improve their English skills and safety on the job.
Visit LincolnLiteracy.org to sign up as a volunteer or learn about its free classes.