She wakes up before dawn to get to work. Breakfast is in the kitchen for her children. She checks the house, locks the door and runs to catch the bus. The hours are short and her paycheck only covers part of her rent. Yet without childcare or paid training options, this precious refugee mom has no other option but to take whatever work she can to keep her family afloat.
Down the street, another mom with young children grows desperate. Her family back in Afghanistan is starving, but there is no extra money to send. If only she could work and earn money! She’s also lonely, tired and depressed – the walls of her apartment seem to be closing in on her, but she can’t see a way out. Most educational programs require her to find childcare and she has no way to access that.
These are the stories that are shaping our new venture.
Vocational Training Reimagined.
Vocational education for refugee women that provides support for them as both English learners AND as mothers is desperately needed in Charlotte. This is why.
- Empowerment and Independence: Vocational education provides the skills and knowledge that can help them gain economic independence. This empowerment can boost their self-esteem and sense of control over their lives, which is crucial for rebuilding their lives after displacement.
- Livelihood Opportunities: Vocational training provides refugee women with skills that make them more employable, increasing their chances of finding stable and meaningful employment. This can help them support themselves and their families financially.
- Integration and Social Cohesion: When refugee women are trained in vocational skills and are a part of a community learning environment and/or enter the workforce, they become active participants in their host societies. Being involved means being connected! Educational & job opportunity is key to helping refugee women in Charlotte become acclimated and thrive in their new city.
- Health and Well-being: Vocational education can contribute to improved mental health and well-being for refugee women. Having a purpose and a sense of accomplishment can counter feelings of isolation and despair often experienced during displacement.
- Empowered Parenting: Women are overlooked in education too often in their home countries and the refugee camps. And if they’re mothers by the time they arrive here, the opportunities to learn are few and far between. But as their children go to school and learn English and culture, the power dynamic becomes imbalanced as the refugee mother relies on her children for even the most basic information and translation help. This isn’t healthy for parent or child. Having opportunity to both learn English, to learn culture AND to develop her skillset allows these brave women to also deepen their ability to parent successfully in a new country and new culture.
We believe that vocational education for refugee women goes beyond just skills training—it is a pathway to empowerment, integration, improved mental well-being, economic self-sufficiency, and social progress. This is a part of our mission of loving our neighbor as ourselves. Would you help us?
Here’s what we need.
- Donations of $50 or more will help us raise the $5,000 we need to launch part 1 of our new vocational endeavor.
- Do you know how to give manicures? Are you a florist? How about professional housecleaning experience? Or baking/catering skills? We’re looking to develop our training programs for 2024, and would love to get insight and advice. Reach out to us at jcamenisch (AT) project658(DOT)com