Providing education and training to refugees in Botswana
Skillshare International Botswana, an independently registered former branch of Skillshare International, works in partnership with local organisations, community groups and the government to reduce poverty, improve living conditions and create long-term sustainable livelihoods.
According to UNHCR figures, Botswana hosts around 3,200 refugees and asylum-seekers. Originally from Angola, Namibia, Somalia, Zimbabwe and the Great Lakes region, they now live in Dukwi refugee camp, 600km from the capital Gaborone.
Through a project that started in January 2011, we're supporting refugees at Dukwi to build stronger livelihoods by providing vocational training and improving access to education.
The project is:
- Supporting refugee children aged 7-17 to attend school.
- Providing vocational training and income generation opportunities for adults.
- Promoting gender equality.
- Building leadership capabilities of the refugee community.
- Lobbying the Government to change its policy on the employment of refugees.
- Raising awareness of sexual health and gender-based violence issues.
Primary and secondary education
Skillshare International development worker Kudzanai Tryness Buhlungu started her placement in February 2011 as the project's education liaison officer. She supported refugee families to educate their children by identifying schools, helping them to enrol, providing equipment and organising counselling, language lessons and school holiday activities.
Vocational training
Adults at the camp have the opportunity to learn new skills that will enable them to support their families. Two vocational instructors provide full-time training in IT, bricklaying and plastering and the students can sit exams and receive certificates at the end of their courses. The project also provides on the job training in sewing, hairdressing and catering so that students can earn while they learn.
Members of the sewing group are making school uniforms, while the bricklaying students work moulding bricks to sell within the camp and to the general public.
Gender equality
Women at the camp bear the responsibility for looking after their families. Like women around the world, they will often do whatever it takes to provide food for their families, even if it means putting their own safety at risk. At a meeting of Dukwi community leaders, one female participant said that women’s issues were never considered and, as a result, many of the female residents lack confidence, have low self-esteem and do not participate in development activities. Skillshare International Botswana runs gender workshops to enable men to understand the importance of female participation in decision making at all levels, and provide a space for men and women to discuss ways to reduce inequality in the community.
Skillshare International Botswana's Dukwi Refugee Camp Education project is funded by the UNHCR for almost 2,000,000 Pula (approximately £185,000) and supports vulnerable and disadvantaged refugees to improve their skills and build positive futures.