| News May 2007 Workshop migrazione-mercato del lavoro The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town organized a workshop during the month of May, known as the worker’s month, to discuss issues linked to the relation between migration and labor market. The workshop took place in one of the conference rooms of the recently renovated second floor of the Scalabrini building in Commercial Street and it offered a good opportunity to continue the debate started in September last year during Migration Week 2006 in which one had discussed recent trends in international migration as well as migration towards South Africa. |
The workshop was attended by a group of UCT students, by representatives of NGOs and local organisations who promote migrant and refugee rights. The debate was coordinated by Professor Kalula, Director of the Institute of Development and Labor Law and the panel comprised of speakers from the Department of Labor and the Department of Home Affairs in addition, researchers and representatives of refugee organisations. |
| The debate was lively and gave some interesting input. Of particular interest where the topics of access to the labour market and action taken by Government on this matter. During the debate it became clear that especially refugees are facing a complex situation due to fact that most employees are lacking knowledge as regards refugee documentation and work permits. Yet finding an occupation is fundamental for refugees since it represents the first step into social inclusion. | 
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Wednesday went by and I would get that feeling of doing drumming. Drumming has changed my feelings in many ways. When I get back from school on Wednesdays I am so tired that I don't feel like talking to anyone, as soon as I set my foot at the Scalabrini center and start drumming, my whole feeling of anger, and of being tired goes away I learnt a lot on drumming and I'm still learning. I don't know why but drumming brings out the Yolanda that everybody knows, always smiling and happy. Having to do drums is an experience of a life time, and I thank all the people from the Scalabrini center again for having to give me this opportunity of a life time. This is my experience of drumming. Look the video Yolanda Mendosa |
| SCCT The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is continuing on a daily basis to try and meet the basic needs of Refugees, Migrants and Citizens. The centre has excelled in its growth over the last couple of years, with an aim of helping people coming from disadvantaged communities’ inclusive refugees. Not only is the centre reaching out to those in need through its food and clothing program, but recently it has compiled a session of IT programs which are giving refugees, local and migrants an opportunity to obtain an accredited qualification in Business Administration skills. This qualification will allow and enhance the students to engage easily in an office environment space of employment. The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is working towards an enormous effort to strengthen the fight for the advocacy of refugee rights and responsibilities. |
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The Welcoming Programme
With our Welcoming Program, our aim and objective is to try and give basic assistance to all refugees in terms of food, clothing and counselling, this will however be linked to the other projects which are being carried at SCCT. Since the beginning of 2007, the numbers of the refugees which came through our doors was enormous, but gradually it began to decrease around mid February. We distribute parcels and clothing in (4) categorized sessions in a month and twice a month. Approximately we have received and assisted around (120 refugees within the last two months. However, the impact of our services is seen, when we receive families with many children. They get to take home (4 – 5) food parcels and clothing for all. On a different note, the impact our service has on individual refugees in low. |
English Class
One of our archievement this year was the relocation of our English class to Commercial Street. Moving the Class has had a huge impact on the centre. Students are more willing and filled with enthusiastic to travel to the city and take their lessons. It has given the class and centres a more professional outlook. The class has a new criteria with a vintage. Students are only accepted after a placement test has been carried out. The test allows us to determine the level of the student. Our carefully prepared lessons are enhancing the refugees from French speaking countries to learn English, thus allowing them to engage in employment on the labour market. We are still running three level sessions on a weekly basis. We have the intermediate, Beginner and advanced class. Our volunteer teachers continue to support and spend through time and patience with the students who by the end of the classes will gain more than what they had bargained for. |
Lawrence House
A whole new structure of activities has been taking place within the centre lately. We created space in Lawrence house for more children to move in after the opening of Ale’s House. The house opened its wide doors to five new children who were carefully selected. Three came from the Ark shelter and the other two were referred to us by the social service department. They are ranging from the ages of (4 – 13) the youngest is a four year old adoring minor from Angola (Jeremiah) he has brought a lot of beaming happiness into the house. 2007 is already showing an immaculate prosperous year for Lawrence House.
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IT Program
Our IT Program opened its wide doors again on the 5th of February 2007. The class has excelled enormously since it was launched. Our classes are designed to carter for the needs and development of prospective students from disadvantaged locals and refugees communities. Our classes are carried out every week and are structured on a (3) session Rota per day, with (10) students in a class. In order for the students to enhance their typing skills and utilize them while they learn, we give them an opportunity to carry out some practice sessions every Fridays. The course is designed to help the students to learn and archive their goal. After the first (2 – 3) weeks, the students are already showing a huge effort in their work. Scalabrini Centre stands out to promote the needs of refugee and people coming from disadvantaged areas. In our courses, we are offering students who can not afford to pay the opportunity to study by issuing out bursaries. We are proud to state that, we carry out our luck on an Internship Program, and this led to (5) placements out of (2). From that (5) one student got a permanent position Our students are very
dedicated and passionate about their classes. (80%) attend their
classes on a regular basis and they are very punctual |
