Project Self Help
© Ted Adnan
Education is essential for all children to learn the basic skills required to survive daily life, such as reading and writing, as well as gain an understanding of the world around them. In Malaysia, refugees do not have access to formal education, and whilst some attend refugee-run community learning centres, access to these is limited and resources are scarce.
For teenage refugees in Malaysia, the situation is particularly difficult. With fewer educational opportunities that meet their needs and pressure to earn a living, the UNHCR estimates that just three percent of refugees aged 13-18 are enrolled in any form of schooling.
Some are compelled to take odd jobs in the informal sector, often dirty and dangerous work, in order to support themselves and their families. Their situation is uncertain, not knowing if they will be resettled, remain in Malaysia, or return to their home country to rebuild their lives. Many suffer from anxiety caused by feelings of alienation and insecurity about their future.
Project Self Help creates an opportunity many refugee youths have never had – a structured and quality education that will enable them to take on life’s challenges with valuable skills and greater confidence. It is a chance for them to acquire new skills at an age where they have great capacity and energy to learn, yet few options to do so. Project Self Help enables refugees on the brink of adulthood to have better choices, greater empowerment and increased self-reliance for their future, whatever that may hold.
HELP University, in conjunction with the UNHCR, is running the programme to provide a much-needed opportunity for refugees aged 15-24 to access educational and vocational training. Designed to meet the needs of adolescents and young adults from the refugee community, Project Self HELP aims to equip students with skills that will enable them to secure a better future for themselves.
“This project is an actualisation of HELP’s mission statement which is to help people succeed in life and lead a life of significance through education. At HELP we feel that everyone, regardless of ethnicity, social or economic background should have equal opportunity to education,” said Adam Chan, Executive Director of HELP International Corporation Berhad.
“Project Self Help is a very important initiative as refugees in Malaysia do face difficult circumstances, especially refugee youths who don’t have easy access to formal opportunities for education and vocational training,” said Alan Vernon, UNHCR Representative.
“UNHCR is pleased to collaborate with HELP Education Group on this as it provides refugee youths a chance to learn practical skills in an organised manner which will help them in their future.”
Courses are offered in Culinary Arts, Hairdressing, Information and Communication Technology, Multimedia and English. Students have access to excellent teachers, facilities and resources throughout the programme, with classes held at HELP campuses in Fraser Business Park by some of the university’s experienced lecturers.
As well as improving English competency and gaining new practical skills, students have the opportunity to build self-confidence, networks and resilience through the programme.
Launched in November 2011, Project Self HELP will run over several years with an initial group of 5000 students.
To know more about how to adopt a refugee school, contact us.