-Education Center- Narrative Report

This is a six-month report of the Daily Education Centre of Different & Equal. During this period, the centre has offered many courses and activities, with the goal of delivering quality education and service, leading to academic, professional and personal success for the victims and potential victims of trafficking.

October

2015-

March

2016

Different & Equal October 2015- March 2016

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NARRATIVE REPORT

- Name of the project: “Centre for Educational

Activities Victims of Trafficking”

- Name of the organization: “Different & Equal”

- Address of the organization: Rr. Milto Tutulani, Tirane

- Phone and fax number: 035542221892

E-mail: different&equal@icc-al.org

- Represented by: Mariana Meshi, Executive Director

- Reporting period: October 2015 – March 2016

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Table of Contents Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 1

ACADEMIC COURSES .......................................................................................................................... 4

Computer Course ................................................................................................................... 5

English Language Course ........................................................................................................ 6

Italian Language Course ........................................................................................................ 6

German Language Course .................................................................................................... 6

EDUCATIONAL COURSES .................................................................................................................... 1

Discussion with the lawyer .................................................................................................... 2

Book Club .............................................................................................................................. 2

Coach for employment .......................................................................................................... 3

Cross culture meeting ........................................................................................................... 3

Piano Class ............................................................................................................................ 3

Guitar Class .......................................................................................................................... 3

Movie Club ........................................................................................................................... 3

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................... 4

Counseling ............................................................................................................................ 5

Art Therapy .......................................................................................................................... 3

Creative work and occupational therapy ............................................................................... 3

Relaxation Techniques ................................................................................................................................................................. 3

PSYCHO-SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................... 4

Psycho-social counseling ....................................................................................................... 5

Multidisciplinary team meetings ........................................................................................... 3

STAFF ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................................................................... 4

Administrative work ............................................................................................................. 3

Periodic meetings ................................................................................................................. 5

Group Supervision ................................................................................................................ 3

CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................................... 3

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SUMMARY

The Education Centre of “Different & Equal” has offered educational services for victims of trafficking, violence and abuse for almost 4 years now.

A number of activities and courses, supported by the staff and volunteers, are offered on a continuous basis in accordance with a carefully designed plan. The Activity Plan is first discussed with the beneficiaries, who provide feedback on the activities in which they are interested.

During the reporting period, 6 volunteers, instructors and D&E staff have offered the following activities, which are explained in detail below.

These are the activities which took life during this 6 months period: TYPES OF ACTIVITIES NO. OF VOT BENEFITED FROM THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

(OCTOBER 2015 – MARCH 2016)

Art Therapy 16

Guitar Course 9

Group Discussions- Law topics 15

Cross culture meetings 10

Book Club 18

Movie Club 19

Computer Course 15

Occupational Therapy 15

Psychological Counseling 602 counseling sessions

Psycho-social Counseling 535 individual psycho-social counseling

Training program “Coach for employment 25

Italian language course 16

German language course 5 BENFICIARIES AND 2 CHILDREN

Piano course

10

Social media 30

Relaxation technique sessions 9

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ACADEMIC COURSES

COMPUTER COURSE

COMPUTER COURSES

43 computer classes were offered. 15 beneficiaries took part in the classes. The computer course is a favourite, as it includes learning, entertainment and social connection. The beneficiaries have learned to work with each of these computer applications:

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

The Internet

Yahoo/Gmail/ Hotmail

Facebook

Social networks and the Internet

The beneficiaries enjoy being in contact with friends and relatives, especially on Facebook. Facebook friends are considered a good resource for the beneficiaries during this phase of their life.

The internet is widely used by the beneficiaries in different phases of the program, and it is not only used to be connected with friends and family. Beneficiaries who are in school, use the computers at the Education Centre for their school projects, for research on topics related to school lessons, for printing and photocopying, etc. According to them, this opportunity is a life saver because often they have to pay to complete school requirements.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE

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A volunteer English teacher held 20 foreign language classes during the reporting period. 15 beneficiaries were part of the group that participated in the following program in this period:

Greetings

Self introduction

Common dialogues between strangers

Numbers

Adjectives

Sentences

''The beneficiaries were enthusiastic about learning English. They showed interest and optimism

during classes and the lesson were structured in a way that meets their different learning styles.

Writing, listening, short movies, songs and chatting'' were used- the teacher explained

ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE

There were 16 beneficiaries who benefited from 24 Italian language classes. A volunteer teacher offered the Italian language course. Some of the beneficiaries chose to study Italian as an opportunity for employment. The Call Centres that use the Italian language are continuously recruiting staff and the beneficiaries see this as a quick way to get a job, while searching for a better opportunity.

During the reporting period the lessons were focused in the following topics:

Italian alphabet

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Numbers

Greetings

Months and Days of the week

Verb Tenses

Sentence structure

The parts of the sentences

Speech: What is love? – Talking in groups

Writing a short letter to a loved one

Formal letter structure and the language used

Reading and translation

Videos in Italian – listening

The beneficiaries like Italian language and they participate actively during lessons.

“As soon as I finish this course I will look for a job in call center, this is very helpful for my

situation”- U.L

GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSE

The German course is held once a week. A total of 5 beneficiaries and 2 of their children have regularly attended the classes during the reporting period.

The teacher has worked individually with a male beneficiary who is studying German at school and needs some extra lessons. A beneficiary with two children, who have lived in Germany, were supported to continue learning German.

There are also beneficiaries who attend the course in groups, and they have got together in 8 sessions learning the following topics:

Alphabet

Introduction

Colors

The human body

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Lands/Flags,

EDUCATION COURSES

The beneficiaries expressed their need for more information about some legal topics. Together with the lawyer of the organization, they made a list of these topics. During the reporting period 10 sessions were organized with the participation of 15 beneficiaries.

Some of the topics discussed during this period were as the following:

Free topics on family and family law (family as a legal concept, marriage, divorce, division of property after marriage, determination of custody, adoption, etc.)

Introduction to the Public Institutions (central government and local government)

The Justice system in Albania—Introduction to the judicial system, examples of criminal and civil cases, access to justice

Knowledge of public institutions—where to refer for different issues

Human rights, with a focus on the fundamental human rights sanctioned in the Constitution of the Republic of Albania

DISCUSSION WITH THE LAWYER

AWARENESS SESSION

D&E, in collaboration with other partners of the National Coalition for Anti-Trafficking Shelters, held an awareness session on Trafficking in Persons. There were 7 beneficiaries taking part.

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BOOK CLUB

The book club is an activity conceptualized to help the beneficiaries develop their verbal communication. The club also helps them to explore the thoughts and emotions and establish good group cooperation. There were held 20 sessions during this period. There are 18 beneficiaries who are members of the Book club. Depending on the beneficiaries’ literacy level, the teacher and a volunteer who facilitate the sessions have decided together with the group the session’s rules and have chosen a well-organized plan. The class includes reading books, discussing the topics treated in the book etc. Some of the books discussed during book club meetings have been: “Around the World in 80 Days”, “Three Friends”, “Anne Frank's Diary,” ‘The thief of Books,” etc.

Beneficiaries showed a special interest in poetry, so some of the meetings focused on that topic. Beneficiaries also contributed with their own creations—poems and short writings about different social topics.

The beneficiaries of the first and second phase of the re-integration program have continued to borrow books from the Education Centre library. The Education Centre staff have individual files for each beneficiary who has borrowed books from the library.

“I like to create poetry. This helps me feel good when I am sad sometimes “– A.H

COACH FOR EMPLOYMENT

The training program for 10 participants was completed successfully in December of 2015. Through this program they were able to improve their skills and abilities in finding and keeping a job. An individual

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development plan was developed and implemented for each of the participants, which gave them opportunity to be employed, to attend a professional course, and to perform short term and long term internships at nearby private businesses.

Starting from February 2016, a new group of 15 beneficiaries of D&E (12 females/3 males) have started to attend the training programme “Coach for employment.”

A consolidated team of participants is being created step by step. The beneficiaries are supported gradually to identify their personal strengths, and to increase their skills and abilities. The meetings are organized twice a week at or near the D&E Education and Training Centre.

During this period the meetings have focused on topics such as:

Introduction to the roles and responsibilities of the coach and participants

Group creation/recognition of its dynamics

Introduction to the cycle of counselling stages

Introduction to the concrete opportunities and benefits for each participant

Development of the four competencies of the participants: personal, social, professional and methodological.

CROSS CULTURE MEETINGS

During this period a volunteer was engaged in a very interesting activity. After the discussion with the beneficiaries, beneficiaries decided on a number of countries that they wanted to know more about. Together they worked on a map made with recycled materials, and every session they focused on a specific country, talking about its history, language and culture.

This was a very enjoyable activity for the beneficiaries as they were engaged not only in working for a joint project but also in the discussion of pleasant topics. 8 meetings were organized during this period with the participation of 10 beneficiaries.

“I like to know greetings in other language so I can write to my relatives who live abroad”-O.P

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GUITAR CLASS

Since the opening of the Education Centre, the beneficiaries have had the opportunity to be part of guitar classes. This was a new and very interesting activity for them as during the class they engage in a combination of different activities, such as learning, practicing and singing. The teacher, who is a staff volunteer from MARY WARD LORETO, has been supporting this activity at the Education Centre since the beginning.

During this period, 22 sessions have been conducted with the girls rescued from trafficking. The girls looked very happy participating in the lessons. Actually the Guitar Course is thought of by the girls more as an opportunity for entertainment. They have less patience following the lessons but they really enjoy the moment when they sing together with the others.

The main lessons have been focused on:

Getting to know the notes of the guitar strings

Coordination and usage of both hands

Compilation of the various chords

Following the main rhythms of 4/4 and 3/4 times and basic arpeggio

This period there were 5 girls who came for the 1st time. We repeated from the beginning any time we had a new member. Also we had a boy (also a beneficiary of the integration programme), who frequented the guitar course just one time.

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PIANO CLASS

Playing an instrument has not only been an enjoyable activity but a beneficial one in different ways. Piano classes have helped the beneficiaries to feel successful, worthy, special, and more focused. The classes have increase the level of their motivation and discipline. The beneficiaries took part in eleven 60-minute piano-learning sessions. 10 beneficiaries were enrolled in the class. During the reporting period they learned the following activities:

Teaching the musical notes (scale of notes – do re mi fa sol la si),

The places of the notes in the piano

Exercising the fingers

Rhythm

How to read notes (a challenge activity)

Playing melodies by heart ( a very successful activity)

MOVIE CLUB

The movie club is organized once a week and provides not only entertainment but also education. The session not only focused on watching a movie but also discussing the topic of the movie, its story and its culture. This activity served as a valuable time spent together watching favourite movies, snacking and discussing the various aspects of the movie. These are some of the movies watched during this period:

Beni Ecën Vetë

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Tomka dhe Shokët e Tij

Benvenuti Al Sud

Paul Blart Mall

Pitch Perfect2

Vocation

The beneficiaries have given a good feedback for the activity. They liked the comedies and

dramas very much.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE

PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING

During this period, on-going psychological support was offered to new and ongoing cases. After psychological assessment, the cases were supported with counselling based on specific individual needs. This was followed by a specific intervention related to each individual’s specific issue. The most common issues presented by the beneficiaries in this period were linked to the following:

Depression symptoms

Anxiety symptoms

Childhood trauma and more recent experiences of trauma

Social anxiety

Aggressive behaviour

Anger management

602 counselling sessions were offered by the psychologist to help beneficiaries cope with these difficulties. The psychologist is supervised by a psychotherapist in order to more effectively support the beneficiaries.

The above techniques were used with the beneficiaries during Art Therapy sessions to help them express themselves, process their emotions and integrate their past traumatic experiences.

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16 beneficiaries were part of 21 sessions of Art Therapy. They enjoyed the sessions and were very active. They expressed themselves not only by art but also by sharing how they felt during implementation of the techniques.

ART THERAPY

The street of life The map of the heart Iceberg The circle of emotions

Mandala The circle of control Emotions in my body The tree of

life

A letter to the new year A Postcard I will never send

Anger painting Paint how you feel right now Self-portrait

A group painting My world A message to myself My colors

The above techniques were used for the beneficiaries to express themselves during Art Therapy

sessions. These helped them to process their emotions and integrate their past traumatic

experiences.

16 beneficiaries were part of 21 sessions of Art Therapy. They enjoyed the sessions and were very

active. They expressed themselves not only by art but also by sharing how they felt during

implementation of the techniques

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CREATIVE WORK AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Beneficiaries planned several activities, which they engaged in during Creative Work and Occupational Therapy sessions. During the reporting period with the beneficiaries, two brainstorming sessions were organized discussing activities in which they would like to be engaged. As a result, they came up with various activities which were very much enjoyed by them.

During 22 sessions held in this period, the beneficiaries acquired different artistic skills. At least 15 beneficiaries learned to constructively work in groups and with their peers. They became aware of some fine skills that they didn’t know they had; they became aware of, and developed, their creativity; they felt worthy and confident about what they were doing; they learned to ask for help when they needed it; they learned to be focused and patient.

This is a summary of the beneficiary’s activity feedback, which is requested every 3 months, based on a simple form of evaluation.

Drawing the T-Shirts Mandala coloring Bracelets

Recycled flower vase Holiday cards Christmas decoration

Earrings Christmas tree decoration Christmas cards

Recycled pencil case Canvases paintings with different materials

Masks making Mask decoration Plasticine creations

Plastic beads creations (little creations for key holders, bag chains etc.)

Personalized T-shirt Painted Flower vase Necklace

Wooden creations Working with recycled materials

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RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

One volunteer organized group relaxation techniques. During the sessions, the girls were introduced to the benefits of relaxation techniques in relieving stress and anxiety. Five relaxation sessions were organized, using imaginary techniques, muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, etc.

PSYCHO -SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

PSYCHO-SOCIAL COUNSELING

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The Education centre is a safe place where beneficiaries engage not only in activities such as those described above, but also in periodic meetings with their case manager when they are in the second and third phase of the program. The beneficiaries are offered regular psycho-social counselling with a view to assessing their needs. During the reporting period, 535 individual psycho-social counselling sessions were offered, focused on the following topics:

Employment

Income management

Relationship focused topics

Empowerment

Education and schooling decision

Family issues and relationship

Parenting skills improvement

MULTIDISIPLINARY TEAM MEETINGS

Once a case enters the program, he/she first meets the case manager. As a rule, the case manager notifies the multidisciplinary team, which is composed of a psychologist, a doctor, a teacher and a lawyer. During this period, 15 case management meetings were held for new cases. These meetings aimed to process the information gathered during individual meetings with the beneficiaries and also aimed to draw up a Reintegration Plan based on the discussion between the professional members of the multidisciplinary team.

STAFF ACTIVITIES

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK

Five members of the staff (the Director, the Manager of the Education Centre, a case manager, the administrative assistant, and the accountant) are based at the Education Centre. They assure the day-to-day progression of activities at the Centre. Other members of the staff, who are based in the shelter, visit the Education Centre based on a previously designed Activity Plan. The psychologist, case managers, trainers and volunteers all follow the activities as planned.

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PERIODIC MEETINGS

STAFF MEETINGS- Periodic meetings are organized twice per month, on Thursdays, with the participation of all the staff members. During this period the meetings are mainly focused on discussing new cases, specific beneficiary needs (education, counselling, family support, monitoring, employment, medical assistance, business and technical support, etc.).

In some of the meetings, the lawyer presents some legal topics in which the staff have shown some interest, topics such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and child custody.

PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS MEETINGS - Several meetings have been organized with partners and the coalition of shelters with the aim of combining the efforts of those anti–trafficking actors who support beneficiaries VoT in different aspects of reintegration, discussing new ideas and projects for joint collaboration in the future, organization of different national activities, etc.

STAFF ACTIVITIES: GROUP SUPERVISION

During this period, individual and group supervision sessions have been designed to support the staff and to promote their work efficiency and personal well-being. Four such group supervision sessions were conducted at the Education Centre, along with 10 individual sessions every month.

CONCLUSION:

Benefits:

Beneficiaries have a safe place to develop and engage in several activities based on their needs.

The education centre has facilities which allow women with babies and young children to be part of the courses and sessions.

During the reporting period, 25 new cases and 78 ongoing cases, along with their children, have frequented the education centre to find assistance with their specific needs.

Through an assessment done by some trainers, an increase has been observed in specific skill sets of the beneficiaries after following the courses for a period of time.

The Education Centre is a place where beneficiaries who are enrolled in school are assisted with the needed facilities for school projects.

The Education Centre is a safe place where volunteers can make their contribution and support directly the work of D&E.

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Challenges:

Even though beneficiaries are interested and motivated to follow the activities and enjoy them, sometimes they lack patience. This is due to psychological issues and experience of past traumatic events. The courses sometimes have breaks even in 60 minute sessions.

Coordination of the activities in which beneficiaries engage sometimes needs very careful management. This is because beneficiaries also follow school and other professional courses.

The different backgrounds of the beneficiaries have an impact on group activities, which sometimes need to involve adapted learning styles, techniques and the level of lessons given.

Without the support of our donors and people who support our mission, the Education Centre wouldn’t have this impact on the beneficiaries’ lives. D&E thanks the volunteers, the trainers, the staff and the beneficiaries for being the heart and soul of the Centre, both through their motivation and through their will to learn.

Thank you!

D&E staff and beneficiaries