CHESTER — Melis May Sagay, an English as a Second Language (ESL) student at Delaware County Literacy Council, used her newly acquired ESL skills to write the award-winning entry in the recent “People Helping People” essay contest, sponsored by Sun East Federal Credit Union.

The “People Helping People” contest asks students to write about volunteering and its impact on their life.“I became an immigrant at the age of 40,” explains Melis May Sagay in her winning “People Helping
People” essay. She adds, “Many people like me are not ready to become immigrants. That’s why I decided
to help them.”

Melis created an informal network of friends and social media contacts to offer advice and household
goods to newly arriving immigrants. In her essay, Sagay describes her goal of helping new immigrants “transition from country to country.”
Because immigrants often arrive with only a few suitcases, they may need many household items to begin their new life. Providing child car seats, child beds, toys, and clothes can smooth their path. Sagay knew she had limited resources to help on her own, so she thought that others might want to be involved.
“I was not in a position to help more than one person by myself, but I had a good circle of friends and organizational skills. I encouraged my friends to help.”

Sagay’s immigrant network was born. She makes sure that all donated items are in good condition. “There
have been some who donated unacceptably old items. Most of the immigrants receiving help were educated, respected in their country, and none of them were poor. They were just immigrants,” states Sagay.

One person who hailed from Sagay’s home country of Turkey needed help finding housing in the Philadelphia area during the pandemic. Sagay wrote to the person and provided advice about locating an apartment and even met with the person to show them around.

Describing the impact of helping others, Sagay explained, “If the toy I give to an immigrant child makes him happy if an immigrant woman cooks in the pot I gave her family, then I have achieved my goal. Sharing goodness will save the world.”

Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) provides free literacy services to local adults, including online
and in-person classes in basic literacy, ESL, and GED preparation. To learn more or to get involved, visit
http://www.delcoliteracy.org.