In celebration of World Refugee Day, Nina Smart updates us on the impact of SI’s Migration Project.
“Soroptimists across the world have long shown solidarity in assisting women migrants and refugees who need to feel safe, to feel heard and seen, by investing in their future through education.
As we recognise refugees around the world on 20 June, World Refugee Day, let us journey together through Romania, where the Migration Project supported by 2019-2021 Soroptimist International President’s Appeal Road to Equality, has greatly impacted women refugees in the past year and continues to help during the present crises in Ukraine.
Launched on the 11th of August 2021 in Iassy, northern Romania, in partnership with AIDRom, a trusted NGO with over 30 years of experience, SI’s Migration Project aimed to educate and empower 20 women refugees who wanted to gain skills and seek employment to support their families in their new country. AIDRom organised workshops in which the potential beneficiaries were informed of opportunities presented by our educational program designed to translate their degrees or provide equivalent information relevant to European standards. Vocational centres were contacted, and spots were reserved for women who could communicate in the Romanian language. Refugees from Iran, Syria, Moldova, and Turkey qualified as part of our first set of women to receive education. They chose IT courses, website design, culinary training and language courses based on their existing level of education and aimed at finding a stable job where culturalism is valued. The courses were attended in both the capital of Romania, Bucharest, as well as in Iassy.
20 further women have received vocational training and in addition the SI’s Road to Equality project provided emergency funding to fix the existing shelter at the AIDRom headquarters in Bucharest.
Who would have known that the bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen that were fixed with SI funds were to offer comfort and shelter to Ukrainian women and their children only a few months later! Overcrowded and understaffed, the AIDRom shelter in Bucharest became home for women fleeing the war in Ukraine.
This humanitarian aid came at a time of crises that allowed our partner to prepare in a timely manner. The need has exponentially increased since the overflow of Ukrainian women, some who seek to integrate in Romanian society and further funding may be made available should it be required.”