Live and Relearn: Organization teaches immigrants needed skills.(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

FORT WORTH, Texas_Emmanuel Sinzoyikengera listens to his teacher while glancing briefly at a biography of Malcolm X.

"I want you to think about who he is," said Joe Ragan, referring to the American civil rights leader. "Who was he? Why did he want people to be free?"

Ragan, a teacher with Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth, has presented Sinzoyikengera with a challenging homework assignment. He must write a summary of Malcolm X's life by using political climate and era to explain the book's themes.

Every week, Sinzoyikengera meets one-on-one with Ragan to practice for the GED _ the equivalent of a high school diploma. Passing the GED exam is a major goal for the refugee from Burundi who, since age 14, has been driven by two goals: Stay alive and get an education.

"It is very important to me. If you don't go to school you miss a lot …