Refugee teens and young adults have very limited access to formal education in Malaysia.

 

They are trapped in an environment that presents few avenues for skills or any kind of learning. What work they can or will get is not overed by the law, and is likely to be in dangerous, dirty, and demeaning job categories. Hope for a rewarding and fulfilling future is difficult to hold.

 

We have experimented with different initiatives to address this. For many years, we ran computer and English language programmes which grew out of an expressed interest by refugee youth in Penang for opportunities for self-development. 

 

The initiative not only provided some learning but also a social space in which youth can come, nurturing interaction, mutual support and social cohesiveness. This is very much part of the Penang Refugee Network's aim of supporting the development of a stronger, more positive, self-determined, resilient refugee community here in Penang.

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In delivering the programmes, our Core Principles ensure that the refugee youth themselves are involved in the running of the project(s) and planning for the future. 

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These and other community education initiatives have brought us into positive partnerships with other groups and organisations, all of which helps build strong networks and opportunities for sharing and exchange. Partnerships supporting education initiatives have included with the All Parliamentary Group Malaysia on the SDGs (APPGM-SDGs); European Union/Suhakam; the Global Initiatives Resilience Fund; Partners in Asia; L'Oreal Fund for Women; UEFA Foundation for Children; and the Penang-based Entrust. 

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sadly for the moment the computer and language programmes have stopped, partly because of the very difficult xenophobic atmosphere. But many other initiatives continue.

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