The Refugee Schools

Some the the Students that Cathy teaches at the Roshan School

There are approximately 14,000 refugees who have found their way to Indonesia, attempting to escape the violence and oppression of their home countries.  But the Indonesian government, in an attempt to keep refugees from migrating and remaining in Indonesia, have established several laws that make it difficult to settle and live a normal life here.  One such law causes a limit to educational opportunities for refugees.

  

Recognizing the lack of formal schooling options for some refugee children in her congregation, and American expat, Heather Thomlinson, decided with a friend to organize a couple of classes in her home a few times a week for a handful students.  But as they continued this small effort, they realized how much greater need there was.  Fast forward several years and A LOT of work later, and now the Roshan Learning Center for Refugees is registered as an official charity organization in Jakarta, has a facility of its own and currently offers education to over 120 students, from preschool age through adult.  There are classes in math, science, English, Indonesian, computer science, and life skills. They even offer Cambridge English assessments to provide certification of language training. This school caters mostly to Farsi speaking refugees from Afghanistan and Iran, though it is now broadening its scope to serve those from other countries as well.  Many of the staff at Roshan are refugees themselves who, without an opportunity to be employed, look for ways to serve and contribute by teaching or managing. Volunteers that teach classes, manage curriculum, and plan extracurricular activities come from the refugee community, local Indonesians, and expats from around the world who are currently posted in Jakarta. Roshan has since served as a blueprint for other refugee schools that are now in operation, such as HELP (Health, Education and Learning Program) for Refugees, which has refugees from a wide range of countries including Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia. The schools are not just a place where students gather for education, but they also offer a sense of purpose, some emotional support, and a center for friendship and community building. These school operate solely on the donations of charitable organizations, and the friends and family members of volunteers. Their resources are limited and their waitlist for enrollment is long. 

Another Class of Students at HELP

Boy Scouts (Seth and Ian Davidson) participating in an Eagle Scout Project to paint the Refugee School

Jeff, Seth and Ian helping with BSA Eagle Scout project to paint the Help Refugee School