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.
During the lessons, asylum seekers were provided with information also by the State Employment Agency and representatives of JSC “Swedbank“.
The largest interest and the most questions within the framework of the introductory course were about residence permits, employment, opening a bank account, searching for a flat. In connection with healthcare issues, participants showed interest about dental services and opportunities for children to receive free-of-charge medical services.
The studies were organised including both acquisition of theoretical knowledge and dealing with practical tasks. In order to ensure qualitative communication, also answering questions asked by participants of lessons, speakers of different languages were involved within the framework of the introductory course activities. The studies were organised in Latvian, ensuring translation in six languages – Russian, English, Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi and French.
In order to provide an opportunity to participate also for families with children, during the lessons, volunteers of the Society “Shelter “Safe House”” organised supervision of children and educational lessons for them. To ensure regular attendance of lessons, the group of students was also provided with a companion from the asylum seekers accommodation centre “Mucenieki” who helped to get to and from the venue of the studies.
For improving their knowledge about Latvia, asylum seekers from ASAC “Mucenieki”, accompanied by a tour guide, had activities (for each group of studies) aimed for getting acquainted with the history and cultural objects of Riga, as well as resources available in 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
