In early September, the Refugee Assistance Center took the Fronteiras do Saber project to Colégio São Vicente de Paulo, in Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro. The initiative aims to bring high school and college students closer to the reality of the refugee population.
At CSVP, Angolan Jonas Barnabé spoke to 4th, 5th and 6th grades students. Barnabé, who has lived in Brazil for nine years, spoke about his motivations for moving to another country and his experience in Brazil. “It was impactful, as ever,” he said. “I could see that the students also loved the meeting and were excited about the content.”
For the social worker at the Refugee Assistance Center, Samara Franco, this partnership with Colégio São Vicente de Paulo helps to reinforce values such as social integration, dignity and respect for diversity. “It is always a great pleasure to be at CSVP. The welcome from the community of students and teachers who embrace the cause of refugee status fosters good memories and appreciation for the work developed by the project,” she added.
A week after the discussion group held at the school, the students visited the Refugee Assistance Center in Botafogo to see the space and bring food collected to be donated to registered families. “Our many thanks to Colégio Saint Vincent de Paul, which embraces us as a family, hosting Fronteiras do Saber every year,” added Samara.
The Fronteiras do Saber project has already been held at other schools in Rio de Janeiro, such as Colégio São Paulo in Ipanema and Sarah Dawsey in Tijuca.
If you are a teacher, school principal or a student’s parent and would like to hold this discussion group at your institution, contact the Refugee Assistance Center via WhatsApp: (21) 99694-2388.