Camarada, Switzerland
Specific Training to Migrant Women
Camarada is a non-profit
association created in 1982 with the aim of welcoming and providing
specific training to migrant women. Their cultural uprooting, often
worsened by a low education level, makes their integration into the
Geneva community a critical issue.
The women can come to Camarada with their young children who
play in the children's place, surrounded by childcare professionals
while mums take part in various workshops. Women have the choice to
participate in different classes, from French lessons to sewing or
serigraphy courses. They receive a special training in Swiss
culture and customs.
All of these activities enable them
to become more autonomous and confident. They share life
experiences with the other women and have the opportunity to be
active and to spend time away from home. Camarada is amongst the
very few charities looking after this particular population in
Geneva.
In 2009, the Trafigura Foundation
decided to support Camarada for three years.
From 2012 to 2014, the
Foundation will also support the creation of a 2nd
centre, in order to respond the increasing demand on training and
alphabetisation classes. Currently, the right bank entre
has to refuse and/or put on stand-by some 300 women as a result of
insufficient capacity.
The new centre will be established on the left bank,
under an identical model as the first one.
http://www.camarada.ch/
Photographer: Jean Mohr, 2008
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