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Run for Refugees Team raise £4,000 at The Chichester Half

19/10/2018

 
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RUN FOR REFUGEES
On Sunday October 7th 2018, we held the seventh annual Children on the Edge Chichester Half Marathon, raising a fantastic £21,000 for our work with vulnerable children around the world.
Over £4,000 of this was raised by a fantastic group of 27 runners who were all part of this year’s Run for Refugees Team. All 27 team members committed to raise a minimum of £100 each for our work with refugee children in Bangladesh and Lebanon.

Mother and daughter team, Michele and Tiki (pictured above) were part of these fundraising efforts and talked to us about how they got support in the run up to the race. On the day they were kitted out in their ‘Run for Refugees’ t-shirts, complete with matching tutus.

Here are some of Tiki’s comments describing their experience of this year’s Chichester Half:

“I was really quite nervous on the morning of the race, training in the last couple weeks had done a bit awry as I had been unwell…Mum was also a bit nervous as she knew what was ahead of us having completed last years race as well! 
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The pre run warm up was really good fun, gave us a giggle and got us warm and ready to go. Then it was onto the line up, where we chatted to a lovely lady and then we were off. The first part through town was slow as planned, saving our legs for the hill. We had our pace aims which I had plotted for us and we were on target as we started to climb, from here on out we ran our own races, just because I happened to be going slightly faster than mum.

We both felt great when we got to the top of the Trundle, we managed it better than our training run! The second half of the race for me was mentally challenging, I was starting to feel tired and I tripped over my own feet at one point which was annoying but my husband managed to text me at just the right time and I ran the last mile and a half feeling strong and happy.

Mum came in just after me with a big smile on her face and feeling great. She knocked 10 minutes off last year’s time and felt she still had a bit in her. We got our times from the machine straight away which is lovely, as I called my hubby and he was super proud of me. Then we went over to the VIP tent (a perk for Run for Refugees runners!) to enjoy the snacking delights Children on the Edge had lined up for runners - nice touch!

The support we received from Children on the Edge was amazing and really helped to make the whole experience more fun and meaningful. We’ve both done events for other charities, with much larger fundraising targets, and not felt nearly as supported or as valued as everyone has made us feel running for you so thank you all
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We’re incredibly grateful to all our Run for Refugees runners who, in addition to Tiki and Michele include Chris and team from Bowers and Wilkins, Georgia and team from Montezuma’s Chocolates, Samuel, Kelly, Tony, Jeremy, Thomas, Stephen and Derek.
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Syrian refugee children are developing new skills for the future

19/10/2018

 
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In addition to the primary education provided for Syrian refugee children in the camps of Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, now older students are being given extra learning options to equip them for their daily lives and improve their future opportunities.

​The 10th grade class has been learning a variety of different topics including intensive English classes, computer literacy (i.e. typing, Excel, Photoshop, Powerpoint), sewing and tailoring as well as going deeper into their academic studies.

They have also had experience being ‘teacher’s aides’ for part of term, which enabled them to see how lessons are planned and taught and how teachers manage the classrooms. Students then planned their own small lessons and taught some classes. Project worker Hannah says “It was difficult at first, but as time passed they became so much more confident in organising and leading the students”.

Students have also enjoyed a crafts and home decoration class with a volunteer teacher, taking things from their homes and turning them into decorations. They then had the opportunity to sell their crafts and decorations at a local market. They are also part of a building and wood construction course, where they learn the planning process, purchase materials, measure, cut and finally assemble different wooden projects.

In addition to practical skills, the entire school year have been learning economics, which is integrated into class times and projects. They collect money every week into a kitty to spend on things they want for the class. They have used this for craft materials and wood, then sold the items they made to make a profit. Hannah describes how “It is an amazing real time example and practice of economics. I saw some small tables they are building and was so impressed with their work!”

A short term volunteer also delivered solar oven building training for adults. The idea is that they can learn how to make solar ovens and then create small businesses. The added bonus is that, as electricity is unpredictable in Syria, when these refugees go back they will have  useful transferrable knowledge to help refugee communities cook using solar power.

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Ensuring learning opportunities for Rohingya and Bangladeshi girls

10/10/2018

 
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Since 2012,  the 11th October has been marked by the UN as the International Day of the Girl. It aims to highlight and address the challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

This year’s theme is entitled ‘With Her: A Skilled GirlForce’ as in the next decade, 90% of girls entering the workforce in developing countries will work in the informal sector, where low or no pay, abuse and exploitation are common.

​The theme this year seeks to promote the expansion of learning opportunities for girls and calls on the global community to rethink how to prepare girls for a successful transition into the world of work.


In the Rohingya refugee camps where we work in Bangladesh, over 52% of newly arrived children are girls, and there is a high school drop-out rate for host community girls. In both areas, they face sociocultural barriers combined with safety concerns and supply-related issues (like a lack of trained female teachers).

In our 75 Learning Centres in the camps, girls make up over 50% of children attending, and teachers are 80% female, providing a role model for those they teach. The curriculum provides a positive view of girls and they are given full opportunity to lead and make decisions through child councils.

Mohammed’s daughter is currently attending one of our new Learning Centres in the camp. He says, “If my daughter can get an education, she can choose life outside of this camp. I don’t want her to live the rest of her life here, but if she does not study, she will have no choice”.

In the local host communities in Bangladesh, girls are also vulnerable to child marriage due to the financial pressure on parents. Culturally, they are subject to ‘eve teasing’ in the streets once they reach a certain age and are unmarried, putting pressure on parents to marry them young to keep them safe from abuse.

​All of our Learning Centres in Cox’s Bazar have a 50-50 gender split and a gender sensitive curriculum, promoting a change of attitudes about girls among both sexes in the classroom. Teachers are 80% female and given full opportunities to train and earn an independent income.
There is a specific focus on issues of trafficking, child marriage and exploitation within the activities of the camp and host community Centres and teachers are trained to raise awareness with the children. They also work with parents to talk to them about the negative effects of child marriage and the value of girl’s education. We have seen positive results from this over the years, with parental attitudes changing both in the camps and the communities.

Safiya is studying Grade 3 at one of the Centres. She's also a member of the Child Council, and in one of their recent newsletters she wrote an article about her feelings about child marriage.

She says,  “If I leave the school my grandmother will marry me off, which I don’t like at my early age. I have decided to advocate against early marriage in my slum. If my neighbours don’t hear me I will bring my teacher to explain it to them, early marriage is a risk for health and life".

Child councils attached to the Learning Centres in both areas have extra activities focused on gender issues, and give girls a voice. In Cox’s Bazar they have become instrumental in campaigning against child marriage, and creating change within their communities.

Partnering with ‘Girl Determined’, the new Centres in the camps will be used to host weekly gatherings for adolescent girls, led by local trained facilitators. They will cover issues such as decision-making, self-confidence, girls’ rights and planning for the future.​

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Expanding opportunities for Dalit girls in India

10/10/2018

 
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Since 2012,  the 11th October has been marked by the UN as the International Day of the Girl. It aims to highlight and address the challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

This year’s theme is entitled ‘With Her: A Skilled GirlForce’ as in the next decade, 90% of girls entering the workforce in developing countries will work in the informal sector, where low or no pay, abuse and exploitation are common.
The theme this year seeks to promote the expansion of learning opportunities for girls and calls on the global community to rethink how to prepare girls for a successful transition into the world of work.​

The current situation for Dalit women and girls living in Bihar State is desperate. Surviving as part of the lowest strata of a brutal caste system, with the added oppression that arises from being female, traps many women in poverty and abuse.

UN Women state that despite government efforts for reform, across the country they continue to face severe maltreatment, including acid attacks, child marriage, dowry-related violence, honour killings, rape, sexual harassment and trafficking.

Compounding this situation are pervading levels of caste discrimination which despite being outlawed, determine much of the structure of daily society. Dalits are considered the ‘lowest’ of the caste strata and face severe restrictions, exploitation and violence.

The work we support here focuses on supporting women and girls to realise their rights to education, health, income, protection and shelter. We encourage them to develop their confidence and self-esteem and to restore a sense of their inherent self-worth.
​
We provide access to education for 1,200 Dalit children within 30 colourful and safe environments. Located on rooftops and canal-sides, under trees and inside homes, the Centres are accessible to all. Children learn maths, reading, writing and vital life skills and gain understanding of their inherent worth. They develop knowledge of their rights and will ultimately be resourced to access mainstream education opportunities.
Girls and boys attend focused gender equality workshops, so they can address deep-set prejudice together, along with tackling its consequences in their communities. One 12 year old girl called Aakriti attended the Centres but teachers noticed she was shy and regularly absent. Programme leader Veena says “She looked frightened and anxious. At the same time very little interest in playing and mingling with others”.

Aakriti went to one of the workshops at the Centres about ‘good and bad touch’. During the session many children spoke about sexual abuse they experienced from vendors, men on the bus, and their relatives. After this session Aakriti confided to her sister, telling her that she had recently been attacked and raped by a group of boys. Her sister came straight to the teachers and told them. They called Aakriti to talk about it and she is now having trauma counselling.

Women’s Groups attached to each Centre receive training about their rights along with the practical skills, support and mentorship they need to realise them. They push for protection, counter corruption and hold violent individuals to account in the courts. Sadly when Aakriti’s parents were approached about taking action they refused saying. “If people come to know that she is a rape victim no one will marry her. She will be burden to the family.”

This programme continues to work with families to address this kind of ingrained inequality. Veena says  “It is very difficult to break the social stigma attached to rape and sexual abuse of women. Will she ever get justice?”
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​Children on the Edge, 5 The Victoria, 25 St Pancras, Chichester,  West Sussex, PO19 7LT, UK | 01243 538530 | communications@childrenontheedge.org 
  • DONATE
    • Ukraine Appeal
  • COUNTRIES
    • Country Overview
    • BANGLADESH >
      • Kutupalong
      • Cox's Bazar & Doharazi
    • INDIA
    • LEBANON
    • MYANMAR
    • UGANDA >
      • Jinja
      • Karamoja
      • Kyaka II
    • UKRAINE
  • ABOUT US
    • WHO WE ARE
    • Contact Us
    • 2022 Highlights
    • Annual Report
    • Awards
    • Meet the team
    • Our Story
    • Our Values
    • Our Partners
  • OUR WORK
    • OUR WORK Overview
    • Working on 'the Edge'
    • Safe Spaces
    • Child Rights
    • Refugee Education
    • Early Childhood Development
    • Cluster Learning In Uganda
    • Supporting Slum Communities
    • Tackling Caste Discrimination
    • Ending Child Sacrifice
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Get Our Email Updates
    • Autumn Raffle
    • Fundraise For Us
    • Challenge Events >
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    • Trusts & Foundations
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  • LATEST STORIES