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Refugee children get ready for the new school year in Kazakhstan

With the new school year approaching, UNHCR provides every possible assistance to refugee families to prepare their children to school. Despite the fact that education is one of the core rights of children, much valued parents and society in general, it is expensive to provide uniforms and school supplies,, especially for for refugees and asylum seekers. , UNHCR in Kazakhstan and its implementing partner, International Association for Social Projects (IASP), decided to organize a bright event, marking the start of the new school year and provide refugee children with the necessary supplies for the school. IASP had done a lot of work in preparation for this event, including organising individual fittings for uniforms, a task that had taken five days to complete.
Special attention was given to those, who will go to the first grade this year. Twelve new pupils who will soon open a new world of knowledge, were given colourful school bags with pencils, pens, text books and other supplies which will help them to become successful students.

"I am very excited to go to school and I'm looking forward to making new friends. I like my bag and will use it for school every day" - said Rakhat, a seven - year-old refugee girl. Her mother, who has two more kids, said that it is a great initiative which helps refugees a lot. «You know, purchase of stationeries, text books, uniforms and other necessary materials, can be very expensive for refugees, especially for families with many children"- said a women, refugee from Afghanistan.

"We have many examples when refugee children are very talented, receive high grades at school, and accomplish their studies with distinction. School is very important for refugee children, it not only crucial for getting education, but also for socializing, and integration of children into the society, and can help them towards a durable solution", underlined Ms. Jennifer Ashton, Deputy Representative for Kazakhstan.

In order to prepare the first year scholars, help them with successful integration into new environment, conditions and people, UNHCR and IASP conducted a summer preparation camp. 12 children took part in the two- month course, where they were taught the basics of writing, reading, maths and the other basics which are necessary for successful integration into their classesl. UNHCR and IASP provided more than 80 pupils with school uniforms. Bus passes are being provided for those in need. In addition, UNHCR provided assistance in vaccination of those children who for various reasons had not completed their immunisation schedule.