Send refugee children to an agricultural school

The Agricultural Secondary School (LAP) has several entry criteria to select children:

• the student has successfully passed its end of primary school exam (CEP)
• he / she should not be more than 14 years
• he / she should pass an entry testAfter several information meetings with refugee communities, parents were invited to register their child(ren) if they were interested and met the minimum criteria.

Our objective was to select 3 girls and 2 boys, but unfortunately only one girl had applied and took the entrance exam. Additionally, older children aged between 15 to 17 years old had applied though only students who met the minimum criteria, including age however were invited to the exam. Taking into account the difficulties for refugee children to have continuity in their education, children of 15 were permitted to take the test but older children above that age were not selected.

Seven candidates out of the 11 applicants have taken the exam: 3 in the office of UNHCR in Ouagadougou and 4 candidates in the office of ASAP in Bobo Dioulasso the week of 13/8/2020 . It is the first time UNHCR is trying to reintegrate refugees children in a private boarding school for the purposes of social cohesion and alternative solutions for youth and vocational training.

Of the 7 students who took the exam, 5 were selected to start the school year 2020-2021 on September 12^th for their first year of secondary school. Two candidates, one boy and the girl, were selected on a provisional basis as their testing scores were weaker than the average. However,  both showed a keen interest and motivation to succeed at the LAP. With a more predictable environment, both students will have the chance to show their ability to improve and catch up with their peers. The LAP is committed to monitor them closely.

The challenge now is to successfully integrate those 5 students among the 300 other students who are coming from “normal” poor farmer families. However, we see this as an opportunity to build on a wider opportunity for social cohesion and expose the students to differences among cultures, as these refugee children come from neighboring Mali.

We sincerely appreciate  you for your generous support for this program and giving these students an opportunity to educate in a safe and stable environment.

Perhaps you might now somebody who can also help this program, from September 14 to 18, all donations up to 50$ will be receiving 50% bonus from GlobalGiving. All support is appreciated and welcomed.

The link is: https://www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/send-refugee-children-to-an-agricultural-school/