MURRAY — Horizon Elementary School Principal Martha Kupferschmidt has a problem. Two refugee Somali families with seven children each suddenly landed at her school in Murray, not knowing a word of English.

“I know they want to learn. They want to figure out our culture and become a part of the culture,” she said.

She hopes someone out there knows Somali and can be a volunteer translator for just a few hours every week next school year. She says the children are learning fast.

“They have been actively involved in their classrooms, and our students thoroughly enjoy having these kids and showing them the ropes and helping them learn,” she says.

Kupferschmidt says she would hire a translator, but they are too expensive for her limited resources. For now, teachers who teach English as a second language are working with the children.

Kupferschmidt says a special educator recently went to the apartment to help one of the children with a learning disability, and all 14 children plus their mothers were there to learn, too.

Anyone interested in helping or needing more information can call or e-mail Principal Martha Kupferschmidt at 801-264-7420 or .

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