Representatives of the society indicate that, for the course, a special study programme was developed that was adapted for asylum seekers and that addresses such topics as general information about Latvia, the state system, history, culture and traditions, practical information about Latvia and services, information about integration into the society, non-discrimination principles, communication and religious differences, decision making, sense of time, housing market, employment facilities, education system and education acquisition opportunities, available leisure activities, healthcare system, social security network and social support system in Latvia.
The studies are organized to include both acquisition of theoretical knowledge and dealing with practical tasks. In order to ensure qualitative communication, as well as to facilitate answering questions asked by lesson attendants, interpreters and speakers of different languages are involved within the framework of the introductory course activities. During the lessons, babysitting services are organized or involvement of children in the studies is ensured. In order to ensure regular attendance of lessons, the group of students is also provided with a companion from the asylum seekers accommodation centre “Mucenieki” that helps attendants get to and from the venue of the studies.
Info sheet in English Info sheet in Russian Info sheet in Arabic
On 30 November, the first of five planned lessons about Latvia organized by the society “Shelter “Safe House”” was attended in total by 40 adult asylum seekers and 15 children from the ASAC “Mucenieki”. Studies were organized in two groups (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), during which participants learned about two topics – “General Information About Latvia” and “Social Security Network in Latvia”. All of the information was provided in Russian, English, Arabic and Kurdish.
Tutor Gunta Vīksne comments that interest and involvement in the study process by asylum seekers was even larger than it was planned. “During the study process, people were open and asked many questions. The participants engaged in creative activities with pleasure and enthusiasm, creating collages and sharing their knowledge and impressions about Latvia.” While the adults studied, the children played different games, drew and with interest learned Latvian words together with volunteers.
After the lesson, the participants admitted that the information obtained during the lesson can be used in practice and they are looking forward with interest to the next lesson in order to learn more about living in Latvia.
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.
“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.
Information was prepared by: Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Communications and Social Media Expert, phone: 22026355, e-mail: rasa.salina@gmail.com
