“Uncle” Safwat Supports Community Through Translation
About 20 years ago, Safwat Azer retired from working at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His role at the IMF was to coordinate Arabic translation services for global publications. He is familiar with many of the Arabic dialects, which helps him address the interpretation needs of Arabic families from different countries in the Middle East.
After he retired, his pastor asked him to help newly arrived families in the community to enroll their children in schools and obtain national identification cards. Safwat was happy to volunteer to help.
“I wanted to help the new families from various Arabic countries coming to the U.S. with children to be able to overcome the immigration challenges by taking advantage of the many FCPS offerings for support,” he says. He began working with Emily Shahrigian, translator and registrar in Special Services. He was asked to help other families and “they insisted on paying me,” Safwat says.
Safwat is often on hand at live events, just in case Arabic-speaking community members are in need of his support. Additionally, Safwat helps to translate written instructional documents and policies and procedures for the county. “I want the families and the children to know and understand the rules and to become good participants in the school system for a better life for them and their children,” he says.
Safwat goes above and beyond, and has spent his personal time helping families find housing, work, cars, and even health insurance. A highlight of his work is seeing the children of these families progress in their studies, especially the English language and arithmetic.
“What increased my happiness is when they would see me now in events and places and greet me as ‘uncle,’” he says. “Given an opportunity to contribute to their improvement is what keeps me doing this service.”
