Helping Latins Past Language Barrier

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 2

Helping Latins Past Language Barrier

Project Head Start, a new scheme for assisting less-privileged American children to adjust to schooling, is already underway in Mrs G. Hawkins’ hometown of Lockney, Texas.

“Fifty-two pet cent of our population is Latin American, and their greatest problem is the language barrier,” said Mrs Hawkins, who is in Christchurch with her husband. the Rev. G. Hawkins, during the trans-Pacific Baptist crusade.

English was not spoken in the homes, and it was difficult for children starting school. “This year groups of six-year-olds have been prepared for all phases of school life.” ,

Intelligent and lovable, the children learnt readily and were appreciative of any attention they were given. “They all come from large families—lo is the average—and don’t get individual attention.” Mrs Hawkins said. Completion of the entire high school course was dependent on the parent’s views, but many had finished school and continued their studies at college. “We are very proud of that, because with education they will become better citizens,” she said. Schools were completely integrated, and although the Negro population was small, there were two Negro teachers.

“So often, people in other parts of the world read only the ugly things and don’t see the other side.”

Ten-gallon stetsons, cowboy boots, and large cars also seemed to be the only things people heard about Texas. “We are not all oil people,” she said. “The only drilling going on in our district is for water.”

Lockney is situated on the south plains of Texas, a fertile fanning land, irrigated by water pumped from 300 to 400 feet underground. ‘That is something you don’t have

Link With New Zealand.— A historian with historic connexions with New Zealand has arrived in Auckland. He is Professor Manning Clark, professor of history in the School of General Studies. Australian National University. He is a great-great-grandson of Samuel Marsden.

here, and we have found people most interested,” Mrs Hawkins said.