Refugees in South Africa are faced with various challenges on a day to day basis, which include poverty, xenophobia as well as unemployment, despite the fact that they may be well qualified in their homelands. Speaking to VOC, Wagogo Ramadhan, the director at the Muslim Refugee Association of South Africa (MRASA) in Athlone said they were hoping the community's support for their skills development project would help refugees get on their feet.
“We need the community’s hand in this. We cannot see our fellow refugee’s camp up and suffer from poverty and unemployment. Many of them are qualified doctors, sports coaches and teachers, but are not given that opportunity for involvement in our communities. We need these people in community, for they can be a helping hand to many of us,” he said, pointing out that their upcoming employment programs could get refugees on track to make a living for their families.
“The programs that we host varies and are done every month, which includes job skills development and of cause food and clothing distributions. Many of them are talented people and despite being qualified as well, they are very much the same as us and could be of great help at various businesses,” he said, adding that they have already spoken to various companies in Cape Town to get qualified and trained refugees decent jobs and play a part in the community.
Ramadhan said that many of their programs hosted for refugees is because of various funds raised from the community. “This is a non-profit organisation aimed at uplifting the standards of refugees, religiously, socially, morally and academically. Most of the money we used to have for these projects are from the people within the community donating towards these refugees, because without your contribution, we cannot continue helping them,” he said.
According to Mymoena Karriem, the deputy director at the centre, many of the refugees lack medical assistance and are in dire need of urgent treatment. “We are receiving food and clothing each and every day, but if you actually go out to these people, you will see that they need medical attendance as well,” she urged.“I came across a old man who in one of the refugee sites and found that he had a prostate problem and was soon to go for an operation. He waited almost 18 months pleading for medical assistance until someone picked him up from the street.”
Karriem said that many are overlooking the struggles of refugees. “People don’t care anymore, they don’t even look in the direction of refugees but rather shutting them down. They are all human beings, amongst them children and women. It is important to reach out to these people and lend a hand... support them where you can,” she pleaded.
MRASA caters for refugees from different areas and they are always welcomed to approach their offices for support. However, without the communities support, the organisation will not be able to continue with its projects."If you can help in anyway please give a call as soon as possible, for it will be greatly appreciated," Karriem said. More details at 021-637 9181 or 076 430 4927. VOC (Aishah Cassiem
“We need the community’s hand in this. We cannot see our fellow refugee’s camp up and suffer from poverty and unemployment. Many of them are qualified doctors, sports coaches and teachers, but are not given that opportunity for involvement in our communities. We need these people in community, for they can be a helping hand to many of us,” he said, pointing out that their upcoming employment programs could get refugees on track to make a living for their families.
“The programs that we host varies and are done every month, which includes job skills development and of cause food and clothing distributions. Many of them are talented people and despite being qualified as well, they are very much the same as us and could be of great help at various businesses,” he said, adding that they have already spoken to various companies in Cape Town to get qualified and trained refugees decent jobs and play a part in the community.
Ramadhan said that many of their programs hosted for refugees is because of various funds raised from the community. “This is a non-profit organisation aimed at uplifting the standards of refugees, religiously, socially, morally and academically. Most of the money we used to have for these projects are from the people within the community donating towards these refugees, because without your contribution, we cannot continue helping them,” he said.
According to Mymoena Karriem, the deputy director at the centre, many of the refugees lack medical assistance and are in dire need of urgent treatment. “We are receiving food and clothing each and every day, but if you actually go out to these people, you will see that they need medical attendance as well,” she urged.“I came across a old man who in one of the refugee sites and found that he had a prostate problem and was soon to go for an operation. He waited almost 18 months pleading for medical assistance until someone picked him up from the street.”
Karriem said that many are overlooking the struggles of refugees. “People don’t care anymore, they don’t even look in the direction of refugees but rather shutting them down. They are all human beings, amongst them children and women. It is important to reach out to these people and lend a hand... support them where you can,” she pleaded.
MRASA caters for refugees from different areas and they are always welcomed to approach their offices for support. However, without the communities support, the organisation will not be able to continue with its projects."If you can help in anyway please give a call as soon as possible, for it will be greatly appreciated," Karriem said. More details at 021-637 9181 or 076 430 4927. VOC (Aishah Cassiem
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