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Afghanistan
Our work in Afghanistan aims to promote human rights and relieve poverty. We are working towards reopening our citizens advice centres in Kabul and Pul-e Khumri and expanding our advice network to other parts of Afghanistan.
In 2013, we received funding from the UK’s Department for International Development to operate two citizens advice centres in Kabul and Pul-e-Khumri for two years.
During that period, our centres provided free, confidential and often life-changing services. We provided advice on a wide range of issues, helping those least able to access justice and rights, including women, young people, internally displaced people, returnees and the disabled.
More than 6,000 people used our services, including 1,553 who received legal advice. More than 500 women received legal advice in our first year alone, with the majority looking for help with divorce, domestic violence and forced marriage. The biggest single issue we help with is domestic violence, followed by unemployment, divorce, murder and poverty.
We took cases to court and ran family mediation services, and we also referred people to other non-governmental organisations, local authorities, ministries and health services where appropriate. We ran sessions on promoting education for girls and boys, on maternal health, nutrition, diabetes, depression, women’s rights, disability rights, employment rights and the environment. We also ran a legal outreach service for women in prison and provided winter health checks for internally displaced people.
We’re raising money to reopen these centres and continue their life-changing work.
UK
We run a wide range of projects in the UK, all aimed at protecting and empowering refugees and migrants in the UK. Our projects aim to help people to reach their potential through education, skills and knowledge and access to mainstream services.
Discover how you can join in below.
ESOL Classes
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association offers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes to local members of the community aged 16+. We welcome all levels of ability to improve reading, writing and speaking skills in a fun, relaxed environment. Classes are supported by the Big Lottery Fund. Mondays-Saturdays for classes in Hounslow, Lewisham and Croydon.
Find out moreSupplementary School
Our supplementary school is for children and young people who are looking for support with school subjects and homework. We encourage academic achievement through fun, educational activities, focusing on English and Maths. We also offer Farsi/Dari language lessons for non-native speakers who wish to learn. Saturdays 12.30 – 3.30pm
Find out moreWomen's Project
Women’s tea corner offers a place for Afghan women and other isolated groups to share their experiences and build their confidence. Weekly workshops teach basic skills, English language classes improve speaking and writing abilities, and discussion of current affairs. Mondays 12.30 – 3.30pm
Find out moreArabic and Quran Classes
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association offers Arabic and Quran Classes for both children and adults to improve their writing and reading skills. Tuesdays 5.00pm– 7.00pm
Find out moreAfter School Homework Club
Our after-school homework club offers support for children in Key Stages 1, 2, 3, GCSE level and general Maths, English and Science homework support. Tuesdays 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Find out morePashto and Farsi Classes
We offer three-hour tuition in Pashto and Farsi for all ages and abilities. Saturdays 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Find out moreCommunity Fridge
Thanks to funding from the Coop, and in collaboration with Hubbub, we have launched a Community Fridge at the ACAA! The aim of the fridge is to reduce food waste, whilst also providing free food for the local community. Everyone is welcome to drop in and collect food! It will be based on a first come, first serve basis. Fridge Opening Times: - Tuesday 13.00 - 14.00 - Wednesday 14.00 - 15.00 - Saturday 14.00 - 15.00
If you are a business/organisation interested in supporting by donating surplus food, please get in touch with us by admin@afghanistan-central-asian.org.uk
Afghan and Muslim Girls Football Club
The Afghan and Muslim Girls Football Club is for girls aged 8–16 and encourages participation in sport for mental and physical wellbeing. Our club seeks to develop participants’ football skills and knowledge, as well as their confidence and self-esteem.
We bring together girls from similar backgrounds, who are living nearby, providing opportunities to create friendships and a deeper sense of belonging within the wider community.
To overcome some of the barriers which prevent Muslim girls from taking part in mainstream sport, we run the club in a culturally sensitive way, with girls-only training sessions and matches, a female project coordinator, female outreach officer, qualified female coaches and culturally appropriate kit.
Girls Football Club Training Sessions
Saturdays, 11am–12pm
Girls Football Club Matches
Sundays, 11am–12pm
Contact sports@afghanistan-central-asian.org.uk for more details.
Abresham TV
Abresham TV is a London-based television network aimed at strengthening relations between the UK and Central Asia through news, global affairs, education and culture.
Currently, Abresham TV broadcasts the following shows: Shokhanvaran, COVID-19 updates, The Shahnama, Khorshid Hai Mohajer, Namakdan, Abresham Art School and Health and Society.
Abresham, meaning ‘silk’ in Farsi, will serve as a modern silk road digital network, bridging the UK and Central Asia through entertainment.
Advice Clinic
Afghans and Central Asians living in the UK can come to us for free and professional support and guidance on:
- Housing
- Employment
- Immigration
- Welfare
- Referrals for legal representation
We also provide mentors for longer term one-to-one support and tailored help for young people and unaccompanied arrivals.
To access any of the services below email legal@afghanistan-central-asian.org.uk
Housing
We can help find suitable housing, or work with you to resolve problems with existing housing and disputes with landlords. This can include filling in forms, phone calls and legal referrals to other organisations and solicitors.
Employment, finance and welfare
We offer advice and assistance when applying for travel documents, social security payments, loans and grants. We can help you negotiate the welfare system and offer information and advice about your rights and access to healthcare, education and other benefits. We can also help you deal with debt agencies.
Immigration
We help with applications for visas and other travel documents and can offer legal referrals to other organisations and solicitors.
Mentoring
Our mentors come from diverse professional backgrounds, but they all have experience or expertise that enables them to understand new arrivals’ issues and guide them effectively. Mentors encourage people to develop their skills and fulfil their potential in what can often be a difficult transition to a new country and lifestyle.
We offer mentoring to anyone who feels they could benefit, whether they have a specific challenge or are looking for more general guidance. Our mentors provide their mentees with the confidence and support to develop their life positively.
We can provide support with immigration and asylum issues, mental health, education, employment and skills training, countering radicalisation (particularly in young people vulnerable to extremism), as well as general guidance and friendship.
Support for young people
We provide support to new arrivals and unaccompanied children, including one-to-one support from our mentors who can help young people gain the skills necessary for independent living.
We work in partnership with local groups and local authorities to create a better platform for positive collaboration. We help improve the knowledge of young people who have recently arrived in the UK through:
- Citizenship sessions
- Workshops and training
- Creating a pathway plan
- Mentor support as needed
- Free immigration information sessions by pupil barristers