Cultural Exchange Education
Representation
Become a Kentucky Certified Interpreter!
We have a new training program for refugee young adults ages 18-24 to become KY Certified Interpreters. There is a growing demand in Lexington, Kentucky, for Interpretation & Translation services, especially for Swahili & Kinyarwanda, and other African languages.
This Training Program is a good fit for:
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Must have arrived in the US as a refugee or asylee within the last 4 years.
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Must be fluent in English, as well as fluent in Swahili or Kinyarwanda.
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Must be 18-24 years of age.
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Must complete training and exam within 6 months.
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Total Training Time: ~40 hours across 10 days of online courses.
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If selected, all training & exam fees will be covered by Marafiki Center, up to a value of $600.
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Marafiki Center will also provide an experienced Mentor to support you through the training and exam process.
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Join Marafiki Center’s Language Access team to support the African community with more equitable access to Interpretation and Translation services.
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Swahili Day
A one-day street festival-style celebration showcasing the rich heritage and culture of Lexington’s African and Swahili-speaking community.
AfroYouth Conference
Helps young adults realize the importance of bridging cultural differences through a variety of workshops, breakout sessions and a keynote speaker.
Swahili Classes for Adults
Swahili language classes available every Spring for adults. An easy to access 6-week course held online by a native Swahili speaker expert teacher.
Shule Festival
Shule means school in Swahili. Captures the excitement of a new school year. We distribute free supply-filled backpacks, food, treats, games, and haircuts.
Swahili Summer Camp
Strives to foster personal growth for African immigrant children by providing them fun, safe educational/recreational programs, outdoor experiences and group activities.
Civic Engagement Inclusion
We realize the role of race, power and injustice. We represent the Swahili-speaking community among the broader Lexington and offer transportation, information and resources to our community.