North Darfur water project helps protect women from sexual violence
April 27, 2011 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
(IRIN) – A water project supported by the UN-African Union peacekeeping force (UNAMID) in eight villages of North Darfur will not only facilitate residents’ access to water but also help to reduce sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the region, local residents and UNAMID officials said.
This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=92597
Project desperate for fresh funding
January 15, 2011 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
HOUNSLOW branch of the Refugee Council hopes winning a Let’s Do It award will help it continue its work with asylum-seekers and refugees as part of its Sowing Seeds project.
About 20 people from countries across the globe have been involved in the twice-weekly gardening classes since July 2009, but its grant runs out this summer and the charity is desperate to find new money.
The project was set up to help asylum-seekers and refugees get out and meet people, as well as learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables at an allotment in Hounslow Avenue.
Source: Hounslow Chronicle
Welcome aid for failed asylum-seekers
January 10, 2011 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
A project for growing vegetables to feed failed asylum-seekers is proving to be a hit with Zimbabwean refugees in England, so much that it is now seeking to expand due to demand.
Run by volunteers from the Tawananyasha Widows and Orphans Christian Organisation (Twoco) in Stoke-on-Trent, the project includes an allotment or plot to grow fruit and vegetables and a kitchen where the food is cooked and served.
Source: Times Live
Article first published January 09, 2011.
Multi Arts Festival
December 7, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Dear Groups/Artists & Performers
Kainé are putting together a multi arts festival performance project for summer 2011 called “Community Flavours” and are looking for interested groups to join us from across the city. We are seeking groups/artists and performers from across Leicester to showcase and represent Leicester and its diversity.
The project is in its early stages at the moment, but would consist of different groups from different art forms coming together to develop fusion performances to be showcased at a performance. The art forms we are seeking include: dance, drumming, music – singing & instrumental and spoken word. The project would involve developing new works, performance opportunities with professional groups merging with amateurs and developing new skills.
We are just looking for expressions of interest from groups at this stage, if you would like further information or would like to be involved please can you email/contact us (details below) and we’d be happy to discuss this further with you.
Please could you forward this to any groups/performers you think may be interested in joining us.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Katie Sone
Project Officer – Arts
Kainé Management Group
T: 0116 2616840 E: [email protected] W: www.kainemanagement.org.uk
Leicester Zimbabwean Community Project
September 9, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
The Leicester Zimbabwean Community Project is a voluntary organization that was set up in 2009 to provide a range of services for people in the City of Leicester, Leicestershire.
The Zimbabwean community sometimes suffers cultural barriers which make them less open in some issues that may be detrimental in the future. The Leicester Zimbabwean project seeks to overcome these barriers and make Leicester a healthy socially diverse community.
The Leicester Zimbabwean Community Project will provide training and up-to-date information about health and safety, equality and discrimination. The training aims are to promote knowledge, awareness and understanding and misconceptions and helps to reduce prejudice and discrimination.
The Leicester Zimbabwean community project seeks to:
Improve Zimbabwean integration,
Engage the city council, housing associations and youth workers with the Zimbabwean community,
Educate the Zimbabwean about their rights, climate change and the environment
Promote cultural exchanges with other Leicester communities,
Develop and improve skills of the youth,
Motivating the community and boosting confidence,
Increasing networking and Improving communication,
Engage the police with the Zimbabwean community,
Help Zimbabwean community get employed,
Provide support with, application forms, job applications and writing CV’s
On 26 September 2009 between 1300-1600hrs, The Leicester Zimbabwean Community will hold an open meeting at the Secular Hall, 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 1WB. Topics of discussions will include engaging the NHS Equality and Human Rights Primary Care Team, tackling social exclusion, health inequalities etc. Activities include music,raffle and free refreshments.
For more details contact:
F.Chikowore [Policy & Administration Director] on 07796401887
J.Chilupula [Finance & Resources Director] on 07940475424
G.Mandimutsira [Information & Publicity Director] on 07727082457
Women Into Work Project
September 2, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Kainé Management are seeking 15 Refugee women, to join us on a project focusing on getting women into work. There will be a series of FREE workshops including writing & crafts and employment skills.
Classes are based at Shama Women’s Centre( 39-45, Sparkenhoe Street), child care facilities are available at the centre and are free to the women on this project.
To join us on this project you must have Permanent Stay (Refugee Status,Indefinite Leave to remain, Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave). English Entry Level 2 or above, but there will translators available on the project.
Dates: 24th September 2009, 1st October,8th October, 15th October,29th October, 5th November 12th November, 19th November, 26th November, 3rd December, 10th December, 17th November, 21st January 2010, 28th January and 4th February.
Thursdays 1 – 4pm
You must register for a place before the workshops commence, places are limited to 15 please call the office to register.
Telephone: 0116 261 6840
Email: [email protected]
www.kainemanagement.org.uk
Mulenga Katebe
Youth & Community Officer
Kainé Management Group
Studio 202, LCB Depot
31 Rutland Street
Leicester
LE1 1RE
RISE Accelerator Programme: Investing in Refugees
June 11, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
What is RISE?
Funded by the European Refugee Fund Phase III and with the support of the UK Border Agency, UnLtd – the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs has re-launched RISE: Refugee Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs, under the name RISE Accelerator – which aims to unleash and encourage the potential of refugees as social entrepreneurs. The RISE programme has already funded 75 refugees, benefiting over 2000 people around England. The success of the project has allowed UnLtd to extend the RISE programme for another two years. UnLtd will support refugees to set up projects that will make their communities happier, healthier, safer and more just places, as well as support refugees to achieve their full economic and social potential.
We will start accepting applications after 20 May.
For more information contact: Maryam Pasha RISE Accelerator Coordinator [email protected] 0207 566 1136
RISE website:
http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=55&PageName=rise:refugeeawardsscheme
This project is funded by the European Refugee Fund Phase III
Report : Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Undocumented Migrants in Europe and Beyond
In January 2009, the EN-HERA ! project published a report that was the result of a collaborative European research project, designed to serve as an advocacy tool for organizations and policy makers working in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights of such target groups as refugees and asylum seekers. EPHA was present at the launch of the network in November 2008.
EN-HERA !, which stands for European Network for Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, was an 18-month project funded by the European Refugee Fund and conducted by five European academic research institutions and one national knowledge centre. In November 2008 the network was officially launched during the international conference and seminar in Ghent, Belgium.
EN-HERA ! publication is a result of a cross-European, multi-disciplinary and participatory research. It provides users with useful resources on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH&R) of refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. Secondly, the publication introduces a self-assessment tool both for organizations and policy makers working in the field of SRH&R who currently work, or plan to extend their work, on such specific group of clients as refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.
This self-assessment tool, which takes the form of a check list, has been designed and elaborated on around six core principles that were embraced by EN-HERA ! : rights-based, participatory, empowered, gender-balanced, cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary, and sensitive to sexual diversity. Such a tool can produce deliverables in terms of :
raising awareness amongst stakeholders about SRH&R of refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants,
contributing to the recognition and realization of these rights,
supporting stakeholders in the development of strategies, policies and initiatives that address SRH&R of these clients.
It is worth mentioning that although the initial project proposal did not include a group of undocumented migrants, the decision to do so was taken unanimously during the launch event in November 2008. Asylum seekers often become undocumented migrants after an unsuccessful refugee status application, and they account for a particularly vulnerable, but barely visible group in Europe.
The EN-HERA ! report ends with a review on the research agenda in the EU, setting the possible future study paths. Obviously more research on SRH&R of refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants is needed – especially in collaboration with new EN-HERA ! members and particularly with members from the new EU member states. Health campaigners have expressed hopes that this new network endures and expands in Europe and beyond to trigger, empower and guide positive changes amongst academia, health professionals, civil society and the target groups themselves. – EN-HERA!
For more information on :
International Centre for Reproductive Health click here.
Reproductive Health click here.
Sexual Health click here.
Here – Our Voices Charnwood Arts Project
June 4, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
“Here – Our Voices” is a developing project in Leicestershire, emerging from Charnwood Arts in Loughborough and working in partnership with the Leicestershire Youth Service.
With funding from The Baring Foundation, Charnwood Arts has appointed a three year post to establish this project, which seeks to support refugees and asylum seekers to gain access to and develop in and through the arts. Running since January
this year, “Here – Our Voices” has already seen more than 30 youngunaccompanied refugees and asylum seekers engaging with cultural and creative activities, from theatre trips and gallery visits to debates and participatory workshops. These opportunities have increased language skills, self esteem and developed relationships amongst peers and with the local community.
A mural project with a local primary school is due to be launched during Refugee Week, providing the young people with an opportunity to work in their local community. This will provide a further opportunity to break down cultural barriers and divides and build effective and positive relationships. Through this project, young forced migrants will have the opportunity to work with a local artist in a capacity that promotes social action through using art as well as learn a host of new skills in their own right.
Additional to this, work is beginning with a Zimbabwean community group, exploring the idea of ‘home’ and celebrating African culture. Originating through one individual’s desire to be seen as ‘more than an Asylum Seeker’, this aspect of the project will work towards engaging members of the community from different generations, encouraging a sense of identity that may bring together past and present.
“Here – Our Voices” seeks to uncover arenas in which individuals and groups can identify and develop practical skills that are transferable to employment and personal development. Establishing strong media and international links, “Here – Our Voices” is working towards ensuring a strong network of resources that will enable forced migrants of all ages to find a voice in the arts to communicate with their community.
With these focuses, it is hoped that “Here – Our Voices” can support forced migrants in sustainable projects, where the bigger picture is the major motivation.
‘In Their Shoes’ Youth Project enlightens asylum issues
May 5, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
By Alison Vella
‘In Their Shoes’, an EU-funded Youth in Action project, offers young people a new perspective on the migration issue.
How do you react to the issue of illegal immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees?
There are three-and-a-few-more ways you can react to such a hot issue. Firstly, you can stick your head in the sand and pretend it is not happening. Secondly, and probably most commonly, you can talk about it either with pity or annoyance, usually reiterating other people’s opinions; or thirdly, and probably most uncommonly, you can get properly informed and maybe, get involved.
To start with, you need to be aware that these terms have different meanings and that not all people who reach our shores in overloaded boats can be put under the same classification.
And that these people should, in theory, be treated differently according to where they come from, the political or social situation in their countries, and so on. It’s certainly not decided by the colour of their skin. Are you aware? Maybe not…
The idea for the EU-funded project ‘In Their Shoes’ was born as a consequence of the rising racist sentiment among young people in Malta. One would have thought our young people would be more tolerant and less influenced by what their elders say.
However, in actual fact, what seems to be happening with this issue, (and as with politics and support of particular football teams) is that young people are simply adopting and repeating opinions they hear at home.
What should one do? Talk at them, preach, create a media campaign? Success is not likely. ‘In Their Shoes’ was devised to offer young people a weekend experience of what it actually means to be displaced, to leave everything behind and face the unknown, to set out on a journey which unfolds from a total blank, and yes, even to experience discrimination and other hardships.
The project’s ultimate aim is that, by the end of the experience, participants would have a clearer understanding of who these men, women and children are, of the journey they undertake and why they risk it, what qualifies them for refugee or humanitarian status, and of their experiences, rights and obligations.
Participants are given information on why these people leave their homeland in the first place,and time is allocated for questions and discussion.
Encountering individuals who have been granted humanitarian or refugee status puts a face to the masses and clarifies misconceptions.
The project is organised by the Young Communities’ team of the Christian Life Communities (CLC) Malta lay Christian movement, and is funded by the European Commission under the youth initiatives sub-action of the ‘Youth in Action’ programme.
Last February, the EU Programmes Agency chose to showcase the project and present it to EU Commissioner for Education and Culture Jan Figel.
So far, three groups of students from St Aloysius’ College, De La Salle College and the University have taken part. While each group was different, they all came out of the experience with positive reactions, having had a mixture of much food for thought as well as having had a great adventure.
The organisers hope that by the end of the year, about 100 students will have explored the hardships that asylum seekers endure to reach mainland Europe, appreciated the human factor in this global migration pattern, increased their personal knowledge on the subject, and reach a fair assessment of the situation all players face.
‘Forced migrants are victims of other people’s crime’
University student Marija Farrugia, writes about her experience:
“We got an idea of what it means to face uncertainty. As we walked from one landmark to the next, we did not have any clue of the distance between one and the other or where and when that day’s walking expedition would end. Would we be given anything to eat? Did the little food we had have to last us all day?
“This kind of dependence on the generosity and consideration of others inevitably makes you trust others. In such situations, trust is your only hope.
“Refugees too, have to trust in the people they meet along the way as they run away from threats of imprisonment and death. They live in the hope that at the end of their journey they will somehow find safety and protection, albeit in a strange, unknown place away from home and loved ones.
“Unfortunately, people fleeing injustice often become victims of further corruption along their way, such as theft, and physical and sexual abuse. They are totally alone in a hostile world, without anyone knowing where they are or what they are going through.
“Getting a rough idea of what a displaced person endures made me aware of how great a delusion it must be to be held in detention. Whereas I used to regard detention policy as an unfortunate but necessary evil, I am now aware of how detrimental it is to the vulnerable people who land on our shores. They are victims of other people’s crime, not criminals themselves.
“One of the most treasured outcomes of the experience is the opportunity to talk to individuals who have been granted refugee status and listen to their story, to get a better understanding of the seriousness of the conditions that force them to risk the trip to Europe.
“When we take time to know people on a personal level we realise that we are all really the same, with identical hopes, fears and needs. So we can understand each other and contribute to each other’s life, and replace ‘us and them’ with ‘we’.”
All participants must be aged 16 or over, and take part in groups of not more than 20. Their personal experiences will be recorded in images and text to be used in the production of worksheets to be distributed at the end of the project for use in schools and educational institutions.
Educational institutions interested in participating in the project may e-mail the CLC Young Communities’ Team on [email protected] for more information.
The author is the project coach.
Source : Times of Malta
