Sometimes, the simplest words make the biggest impact, as Kim Daniel is discovering day-by-day behind the BCHS reception desk.
The client services officer has taken the initiative to learn the basics of the Karen language, in turn brightening the days of many people who step into our central site reception.
“Their smiles are really big when I use their words,” Kim says.
The site is home to our Refugee Health Clinic, Settlement Services and Cultural Diversity teams, and a frequent place to visit for many of the approximately 4000 Karen people in Bendigo.
“At first I asked to learn words that would be helpful, very simple words like ‘push’ and ‘close the door’,” Kim says.
“I really struggled to get my tongue around the first few words. It’s not an easy language, but it’s the best way to communicate and make someone feel welcome.”
Kim had learnt other languages at school and picked those up pretty easily – Italian and French. She says she initially wanted to become an Italian interpreter. As such, she’s no stranger to dabbling in languages via the Duolingo app.
Karen is a little-known language outside of communities of Karen people, and as such, not accessible via the app. Luckily for Kim, she had Po Tu Tu – one of BCHS’ bi-lingual Cultural Diversity staff.
With Po Tu Tu’s help, Kim is mastering phrases like good morning, good afternoon, thank you and how are you going?
“As soon as I say things in language to our Karen clients, they respond, so I’ve learnt what the responses are as well,” she says.
“Now, every day that Po walks through the door, he greets me in Karen and we have a little conversation.
“I’m proud to be able to make a little difference to the experience of our clients. When new arrivals come into the refugee health clinic in particular, they’re quite timid. Me using their language helps them to feel more relaxed.
“Some clients get a shock to start with, they’re surprised. Even our Karen staff feel that way. When they see me speaking Karen I can feel them gush.”
Younger Karen clients who speak English will also coach Kim with impromptu language lessons from the other side of the glass.
Kim has since become an influencer among her client services colleagues, with others picking up words and gaining confidence to use them.
“I think if any business or service that Karen people frequent knew some words, they would find that the community would return because they can see you’re making the effort. If you say ‘thank you’ in Karen at the right moment, they will respond.”
Kim has worked at BCHS for two years. Her varied career has previously included working in admin, as an excavation equipment trainer and in youth education re-engagement, where her Diploma of Community Services was put to good use.
“When I’m in a role that’s supporting people, it’s more rewarding for me,” she says. “And here I am, in front-facing administration. I like people and making Karen people feel welcome and supported is a big part of my job, which I didn’t realise when I took the role. In learning a new language I’m excited to have something new to add to my role.
“Learning Dari is on the cards next. In the meantime, I remember our Dari-speaking clients’ names instead. I’m proud to greet them by name and see a little spark in them.”
Kim says if it wasn’t for BCHS’ generous and patient Karen staff, she wouldn’t be doing this.
“To them I’d like to say တၢ်ဘျုး (thank you).”
