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UNHCR helps refugee children in Central Asia to prepare for school

Having four children in the family, Faziya, a refugee from Afghanistan, residing in Kazakhstan, says education is a big issue for their big family. Purchasing stationery and school inform for four school age children is a big burden for their farther, the only bread winner member of the family.
"Education always was a priority for our family. I am very happy that all my children can study in the school". Their family left Afghanistan in 2007, having at that times two school age children and had to start all from scratch in Kazakhstan. They had to learn a new language, start a new school life and find new friends in Kazakhstan. "However, despite of all the difficulties, including the language barrier, my children are very lucky that they have a chance to get education. I believe with education they have a future".

In 2014 UNHCR in Kazakhstan with the help of the partner, International Association for Social Projects (MASP), provided school uniform to 70 refugee children, for the total sum of 5,500 USD.

In Tajikistan 456 refugee children received school uniforms in order to start fully prepared in the new school year. School uniforms were sewn by refugees, and individually adjusted to each child. In Tajikistan it is already the second year when UNHCR and its partner, Refugee Children and Vulnerable Citizens (RCVC) are implementing a school uniform project funded by the German Embassy. Through the project seven refugee women and three professional refugee women, tailors, can develop their skills and gain an income in order to improve their living conditions and offer a better future to their children. Not just the financial income is important to the women, but also the solidarity between the women and mutual support in all situations and challenges. This cooperative assistance goes further than just daily work; it promotes the development and strengthening of friendship and confidence.

In Kyrgyzstan UNHCR provided support to more than 100 children, for the total sum of $ 4,000 USD. Ahmed, Uzbek refugee in Kyrgyzstan, underlined "I have three children in the family; two of them are receiving help from UNHCR to get prepared to the school. We do have an opportunity to work, but have to spend 50 US dollars for each of the children every month for stationeries and school uniform. Due to the help received from UNHCR, our children can go to school with the full set of stationeries and having a new school uniform".