ALPS and SASA celebrate recent self-reliance graduates in Bellville

ALPS Resilience and its partner, the Somali Association of South Africa, came together with diplomats, representatives from UNHCR, and local civil society to celebrate our most recent graduates from the joint-project “Promoting the integration and self-reliance of Somali refugees and asylum seekers in the Western Cape”. The project, funded by the US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), offers a variety of courses, services, and activities to provide the foundation for Somali refugees and asylum seekers in the Western Cape to live comfortable, productive and prosperous lives.

With the generous support of our donors, we were able to offer over 100 Somali refugees and asylum seekers with the opportunity to further their own education and develop income-generating skills. The ceremony honoured students who completed courses in English language, computers, cooking or sewing. These skills will help our graduates become integrated and self-reliant here in South Africa for the betterment of themselves, their families and their South African host communities.