wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Program to help foreign children adapt may have to shut down

By Brandi Cummings - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Settling in a new place can be frightening, especially in a foreign country. That's why there's the Students Playing, Learning, and Staying Healthy program, a Columbia summer camp for refugee and immigrant children. But this may be the last summer the camp ever sees. They've lost three of their funding sources, and may have to shut down.

"This camp means hope for these children," said Mark Bouknight.

They come from all over the world -- Afghanistan, Korea, Iraq, Mexico. "Whenever you see what these kids have gone through to get to this point, it just makes you realize how fortunate we are," said Bouknight.

55 children ages 4-14 are in the SPLASH program at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia. Children are getting math and science skills and learning to read.
    
"Churches can do a lot of different things, but helping someone find a new life in the United States and gain the skills necessary to make the most of that life is a wonderful thing," said Pastor Bill Eiwen.
    
Agustin Garcia is from Mexico. This is his second year in the program. "I like it because they show us," he said. "I learn more so we can prepare for the next year of school."

Administrators say it takes $50,000 to run the six week camp every summer, but this year may be the last. "We try to stay a little bit ahead for the following year, but next year because money is tight," said Bouknight. "We're beginning to worry already."

Costs are typically covered through grants and fundraising. But if the money for next year doesn't come, these children will have to find another way to learn the skills to be successful on foreign soil.

Click here to find out how you can help Camp SPLASH.

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