Refugee crisis: A local charity tackle inequality through education

The Bakhsh Foundation is a not-for profit organisation which aims to empower refugees and asylum seekers who have had to flee their home countries due to conflict, persecution or natural disaster.

Article Source: Bakhsh Foundation
Last Updated: 14 November 2018 12:47

The charity offers a range of skills classes and workshops which aim to enable refugees and asylum seekers with the skills they need to secure better opportunities.

Skills classes include English Language, computer/IT and cooking. However, the charity looks forward to expanding its range of skills classes by demand.

Adult education and access to informal learning opportunities have been highlighted by the Government as key objectives to secure a more “...productive, cohesive and successful Scotland.” (Scottish Government, The Adult ESOL Strategy for Scotland 2007). Similarly, The UN Refugee Agency highlight discrepancies in refugee education describing it as “limited and uneven".

Various reports explain some of the benefits of adult and refugee education:
• Increased employment and promotion opportunities
• Skills and knowledge to enjoy a fulfilling, independent lifestyle
• Integration and increased participation in communities
• Increased confidence and self esteem

Similar reports also highlight the primary barriers in preventing disadvantaged adults accessing education services:
• Availability and class times
• Discrimination
• Cost
• Suitable courses unavailable locally

The Bakhsh Foundation aims to tackle these barriers by working with participants to establish a curriculum that works for them and by providing a safe, secure learning environment with highly trained volunteers.

Despite a primary focus on empowering refugees and asylum seekers, The Bakhsh Foundation would like to open up its services to anyone disadvantaged by joblessness or low-paid employment in Glasgow and surrounding areas.

The Bakhsh Foundation is currently encouraging individuals whom our skills classes may be beneficial to, to register their interest on our website: www.bakhshfoundation.org