About ARESTA

1. Legal Scope of Operations

The Agency for Refugee Education, Skills Training & Advocacy (ARESTA) is a Cape Town based Organization registered as a Non Profit Organization with the NPO Directorate of the Department of Social Development: Registration Number: 013 - 806 NPO. The organisation is also registered with the South African Revenue Services as a Public Benefit Organization, PBO number: 930 023 904 and with the National Department of Higher Education: Education Management Information System (EMIS): 01 880 005 99.

ARESTA works in accordance with the South African Refugees Act 130 of 1998 that sets out South Africa's responsibility towards refugees as well as refugees' rights and obligations.

South Africa is a signatory to:
• the 1951 United Nations Convention, relating to the Status of Refugees
• its 1967 Protocol, which removes the geographical element to the refugee definition

2. Background and Rationale

The Agency for Refugee Education, Skills Training & Advocacy (ARESTA) is a Cape Town based Non-Profit Organization, founded in January 1996 by Father Michael Lapsley, SSM (current Patron) and established as an NPO in September 2001.

ARESTA was established to advocate for and provide psychosocial support to asylum seekers and refugees wishing to integrate successfully within the South African Society.

After a long journey and much hardship, asylum seekers arrive in South Africa in the most destitute and traumatized state, having suffered harm, trauma, loss of family and belongings, mental and emotional injuries, abuse and violation of fundamental rights. They are confused, disoriented, hungry and without shelter.

As many of the asylum seekers and refugees come from non-English speaking countries, English language training is essential for them to be able to communicate and integrate into the South African society.

Sustainable livelihoods activities provide refugees with opportunities to become self-reliant, to start small businesses, earn an income and secure other forms of employment. This results in refugees being less dependent on relief aid but rather contribute to the South African economy.

ARESTA advocates on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees. It also trains asylum seekers and refugees on their rights and responsibilities in South Africa. This is so that they know and claim their rights when they try to access social services.

ARESTA works in collaboration with South African government and is involved in lobbying, media outreach, and refugee rights awareness, education and advocacy campaign management.


3. Target Groups

ARESTA activities are targeted at asylum seekers and refugees and local communities living in urban and surrounding areas of the Cape metro region.

South Africa host approximately 417,700 asylum seekers. The majority are from Zimbabwe (261,500), Malawi (33,100) and Ethiopia (22,600) as well as other from other African countries and from Bangladesh, China, India and Pakistan. There are also some 53,000 recognized refugees, mainly from Somali, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia. (UNHCR Global Appeal 2011 Update).

ARESTA clients are mainly youth refugees and asylum seekers living in Cape Town who, after a long journey and much hardship arrive in South Africa in the most destitute and traumatised state, having suffered harm, loss of family and belongings, mental and emotional injuries, abuse, and violation of fundamental rights. While they come to ARESTA, we involve them in programmes geared towards regaining their human dignity and self-worth. We do this within an educative, supportive and healing environment.

ARESTA services and activities aim to provide refugees with the support and assistance required to rebuild their lives and integrate into South African community.

COMMUNITY NEEDS

As ARESTA’s projects are always a collaborative effort between the organisation and the community. A needs assessment study is first conducted within the community to inform programme design, development and implementation. ARESTA recognizes that it is essential to consult community members throughout programme design and implementation to ensure that services and informational materials address their concerns and needs.
Focus group discussion with all sectors of the community as well as existing community groups and communities ensure that local needs and cultural considerations are taken into account. Most importantly, this method ensures “ownership” of the programmes by the communities, with a higher probability of success.
ARESTA’s services and activities aim to meet the following needs:

• Career and educational counselling;
• Adult Education Training (English Classes, Computer Training,... );
• Self reliance & sustainable livelihoods activities;
• Refugee rights awareness & education;
• Community education campaign;
• Vocational and skills development training;
• Networking, lobbying and advocacy;
• Research & Information;
• Interns & Volunteers.