Budha Chuwan arrived in the United States from Nepal with her family at the age of 17 and began working with READ tutor, Alice Mohr in 2013. Alice was a reading specialist for 30 years and recently retired.
Budha spoke very little English when she entered Grand Haven High School and was assessed at a 3rd grade reading level. After two years of tutoring Budha improved to a 6th grade level and now speaks English very well. Graduating from Grand Haven High School in January of 2015 she has worked full time at the Holiday Inn to help support her family. Alice and Budha have not limited their time together to reading. Alice has familiarized Budha with American cultural experiences: dining out, banking, budgeting, and having a pedicure and her hair cut in a salon. Alice even hosted a graduation open house for Budha.
Budha has a goal and Alice has helped make that goal achievable. She would like to become a cosmetologist. Together they researched the requirements to attend French Academy in Spring Lake. They rented the cosmetology book and have been reviewing the vocabulary all summer. Alice helped her fill out student aid applications and put her in touch with Sandy Huber of the Grand Haven Community Foundation Scholarship Fund. Budha was awarded a full Pell grant in addition to a grant from the community foundation. She began classes on August 30th, 2015 and will continue to work at the Holiday Inn as well as attend school. Without a vehicle she depends on a bike or Harbor Transit for transportation.
Alice has been more than a tutor; she is a mentor, a friend, and a second mother to Budha. They are mutually appreciative of each other and love working as a team, an amazingly dedicated and successful team.
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