The studies, which took place from 30 November, involved various practical topics and information about Latvia. The head of "Shelter "Safe House"" Sandra Zalcmane emphasizes that the study programme for refugees and persons with the alternative status was developed by the society already several years ago.
”The programme we developed in 2011 was intended for refugees and persons with the alternative status, however, now we adapt it exactly to the needs of asylum seekers. There are issues this target group has in-depth interest about, for example, residence permits, employment, opening a bank account, searching an apartment,” states S. Zalcmane.
Speaking about the implemented study programme, she puts an accent on the fact that the lectures were organized in Latvian, ensuring translation even in six languages – Russian, English, Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi and French. ”If an interpreter or knower of any language was not available, we involved someone from the circle of asylum seekers. While working with legal immigrants for many years, we have observed in practice that Latvian has to be used, during the study process, because Latvian has different phonetics compared to languages used by asylum seekers,” explains the representative of the society.
During the study process, information to asylum seekers was provided also by representatives of the State Employment Agency and JSC ”Swedbank”. It was also a good approach for verifying whether the information offered by authorities is easy perceivable for immigrants. ”Participation in such lectures was a good starting point for institutions which have not previously worked with asylum seekers, but will have to work with refugees in the future,” concludes S. Zalcmane.
In January, it is planned to organize lectures for inhabitants of ASAC ”Mucenieki” – asylum seekers. The first lecture is planned to take place on 11 January.
In the first lecture the lecturers of "Shelter "Safe House"" provided asylum seekers with general information about Latvia and the social security network. During the second lecture, the participants were given an insight in the history and traditions of Latvia, and there was an opportunity to obtain information about the housing market and residence permits in Latvia. In the third lecture participants got acquainted with such topics as ”Employment” and ”Healthcare”, and in the fourth lecture they received information on the system of social support, integration in the Latvian society, and acquired practical information on banking services. In the fifth and final lecture of the study course, the asylum seekers had a chance to get insights in the education system in Latvia and options for spending their leisure time. Throughout the entire study cycle – five lectures – lecturers of the society together with participants also analysed various specific situations and searched practical solutions for such situations.
In December, each lecture was attended in average by 40 people. For the purpose of improving their knowledge about Latvia, asylum seekers from ASAC ”Mucenieki” (each group of studies) had a tour accompanied by a guide, during which participants visited and became acquainted with most significant historical and cultural buildings in Old Riga.
“Study Programme for Asylum Seekers – Introductory Course About Latvia” is implemented under the Agreement No. 5.1-15-32, concluded with the Ministry of Culture.
A team of interprofessionals dedicated to supporting asylum seekers, refugees and persons with granted alternative status has been operating in the society “Shelter “Safe House”” since as early as 2007. During the past eight years, the society has implemented 9 projects supported by the European Refugee Fund, within the framework of which the society has annually provided legal, social, medical and material support for approximately 80 representatives of the target group, and, through organizing educational seminars, has shared practical knowledge on the topic of migration with specialists in the field representing local authorities of Latvia.
Information was prepared by: Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Communications and Social Media Expert, phone: 22026355, e-mail: rasa.salina@gmail.com
