REFUGEE-LED SINCE 2014
Connection, Community & Education
In 2013 we realised that refugees would be stuck in Indonesia for many years, so we started the first refugee-led school in Indonesia. Since that time we have built an inclusive community providing education, friendship and mutual support.
Today that community runs a wide range of programs; providing mental wellbeing activities, education from early-childhood to school-leaving certificate level, adult education including English language and vocational courses, sports programs, and visa and resettlement advice.
All our programs are designed & managed by refugees.
One of our students, Aliza Batool, gets her primary class graduation certificate.
One of our first students, Amir, wrote this letter the day he joined the school.
Our first school was opened in a two-room building and within a week we had 50 students on the waiting list. It was obvious we needed a bigger space and some supporters came together to help us rent this villa.
Our students come from different cultural backgrounds and languages. So we chose to use English as a common language for teaching.
Refugees volunteered to become teachers and managers to give the children a childhood that they had lost.
The joy on the kids' faces gave us hope and energy in the most difficult of situations.
The school was for the students, but very quickly we realised it would be something for the whole community. Parents and teachers came together to help.
We have made many friends over the past ten years. Jackie was one of the teachers at AIS and is still part of our community now.
In 2015 the Australian International School in Jakarta asked us to perform at their international week. The teachers and students made a presentation about life in Afghanistan, it was the first time we realised we had something to offer.
The Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre
The Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre in 2014. Since then our community has grown in confidence and other communities and community leaders have emerged and have created their own initiatives.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
The refugee schools in Cisarua are entirely supported by individuals like you and we welcome any support, financial or otherwise. Even a social media share or hello gives the community hope, and lets them know they are not forgotten people. Learn more about ways you can help now.
NEWS AND EVENTS
