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Bhagavat Educational Trust. “It´s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”. Who are we ?. A private charity Founded in 1997 AIMS Furtherance of Education General relief of poverty Sustainable vocational projects for marginalised groups Social Integration.
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Bhagavat Educational Trust “It´s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”
Who are we? • A privatecharity • Founded in 1997 AIMS • Furtherance of Education • General relief of poverty • Sustainablevocationalprojects for marginalised groups • Social Integration
OurCurrent Project…… ……….Leonardo Living and…… Learning Abroad
InaNutshell Target Group UK • Ex-offenders • Alcoholics • Drug abusers • Young & unemployed Target Group Abroad • Marginalised groups • Socially excluded • Disabled & Unaided • Orphanages
The 7 Elements • Preparation • Resource Centre • Project • Careers Seminar • The Qualification • Appointments • Facebook
Phase 1 - Preparation Research of UK organisations & spreadingethos of project • Newsletters • Phonecalls • PressCoverage Buildingrelationship with UK organisation • Personal visits • Guidance on pre-projectmanagement in UK • Introduction to new culture – customs, traditions Administration • Arrangingtransport and flights • Official EU registration of participants • Findingsuitableproject and implementation of action plan
ResourceCentre • Indispensable tool for all futureparticipants • On-line and alwaysaccessible • All applicationforms and admin in one place • Presentations on typicalprojects • Bundles of useful information • Live weatherforecasts • Access to local newspapers • Hints & tips for fundraising • Download centre for all aspects of project • On-line language lessons
The Project 2 weeks in Bulgaria……… Before….. …..After …..Renovating an orphanage ……..Integrating with the Bulgarian children
´Next Steps´ Careers • Specialist Career advice given during project • Real help provided to start realising ambitions • CVs, interview tips, official certificates and references • Appointments, interviews and open days arranged for all participants on return to UK
The Qualification • Earned whilst on our project • NOCN accredited • Personal Development • Communication & Teamskills • Real life skills • Entrance into education
Staying in touch • Full support to all participants long after project finishes • Text messages sent as reminders for interviews • Follow up calls to check on progress • Vouchers sent out to improved performers • We communicate with the youngsters on theirlevel • Our very own FACEBOOK group that all participants can join • They chat to us online and can getadvice • Chat to each other • Browse and post photos of the projects • Post advice on the ´wall´ for others • Requestadvicefromus and theirpeers • Follow useful links for employment, education or training • Getdiscounts on concerts and popular events • Hugely popular – over100members for 2009 alone FACEBOOK
ForgingLeaders • Each youngster given responsibility for the project for a day • They lead de-briefs, write and present action plans, make risk assessments and arrange meals for the whole group. • Natural leaders emerge Mutual Assistance Two marginalised groups assist each other – the UK youngsters develop a sense of purpose, increased self-esteem and improved confidence…………….. …….the orphans and Roma community learn new skills, increased positivity and eagerness to interact and co-operate with others Skills for life
Long TermBenefits Marginalised GroupsAbroad • Project has long lasting effect • Orphanages and homes attract more funding once project has started • One orphanage ´Iskra´ received a 1 million Euro grant following project • Morale of orphanage staff and children lifted – project injects renewed enthusiasm and hope • Renovation, mural painting and general improvements often continued by orphanage staff • New skills learnt • Improved Communication • Increased confidence • More willingness to learn
The Roma Community • We target schools in predominantly Roma areas • Roma children given a platform for intercultural exchange with UK youngsters • Opportunity to work on mutually beneficial projects alongside the Bulgarian children • Helps the Roma children to gain acceptance into the local community • Initiates the process of co-operation and sharing of ideas between social groups – eroding barriers created by social exclusion
Notonly that……. So does the project………. No….. ………make a difference ? This project changes lives.
2009 2010 14 groupsparticipated in projects this year Over 120 youngpeople Ex – offenders Substance misusers Recoveringalcoholics Young and unemployed 84% of thoseyoungpeople are now in Employment, Education or furtherTraining We are determined to do even better