Young African Refugee Project

INTRODUCTION
 
A needs assessment we carried out in 2004 with young African refugees in South London revealed that significant numbers felt a deep sense of isolation from the rest of society.  They were confused about their identity, struggling to cope with their changing values and those of their more traditional parents or carers.  They complained that they were not listened to and were not involved in the decisions governing their lives.  This, they said, were the roots causes of anti-social and criminal behaviour amongst their group.
 
 A s a result of these findings, AECHO sought funding to set up a project for young people confronted by these issues.  Funding was requested and granted by the Home Office's Refugee Development Fund in March 2006.  Organisations working with refugees, statutory agencies and community leaders were contacted to help identify suitable participants as well indicate the level of involvement they envisaged.  Sixteen young people aged 12 - 18 from Somalia, Sierra Leone/The Ganbia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria were selected.  Trainers, Facilitators and Volunteers were recruited from our pool of experienced specialists.
Group Working Hard at One of The Workshops
THE PROJECT - IMPLEMENTATION
 
The project consisted of six workshops of four hours duration and were held on consecutive Saturdays. 
The Group Hard at Work Learning New Skills
THE PROJECT - OUTCOMES
These young people would not normally have met and the project allowed them the opportunity of exploring issues which affected their lives and their communities.

  

Visual aids, information packs, specialist tutoring povided them with information to explore areas which will enable them to have a better life, for example; Education & Job Opportunities, How to resist peer pressure, negotiate gender and parental relationships.  55% said these were the most helpful sessions for them.
 
Useful realtionships were built up with the Police at a personal safety session which also looked at gang culture.  60% of the young people were aware of gangs in their area and wanted more information about police action.  20% of them had had personal unsatisfactory contact with the police and were able to voice their concerns as well as listen to the officers response.  This session came towards the end of the project and the exchanges showed how more confident the young people had become as they were able to use the listening skills they had been taught to handle what could have been a volatile situation.  All the young people felt comfortable in having their photograph taken with the police officer.
 
From little or no knowledge about the laws governing Equal Opportunities, the group were all able to take part in exercises which made them more aware of their rights and responsibilities.  All said this has encouraged them to become involed in decision making processes, for example; in school, in youth clubs and within their communities.
Group Working Together as One
CONCLUSION
 
A quite unexpected but very welcome outcome was that the project attracted a number of white British and European young people to some of the sessions.  They were introduced by one of the African participants.  The sessions they attened brought a new dynamic to the group  and encouraged discussion on how the diverse communities in the UK should approach community cohesion.  They were encouraged to share the positive ideas which came up with others in their communities.
 
As an organisation, the project helped us gain greater understanding of the needs of young people, their hopes and aspirations and we are now better informed on how to work with them.  It also allowed us to forge closer links with other local organisations, the statutory as well as with the families and friends of the young people.  The links we made with the police were very useful because it gave both sides an honest look at how each is perceived and what can be done to improve relations.  This will assist us in our efforts at bridge building.
Group Hard at Work
 
Groups: