Raising Aspirations

In 2012 -13 we worked with the LSIS, to deliver workshops about education, training and employment opportunities in London. In addition to having some great guests come and visit us at HEBA, we have also gone on various excursions to broaden the knowledge of different kinds of work.  Helping to identify existing and potential skills to raise the aspirations of our learners and secure employment.

HEBA women blogging about their experiences throughout the Raising Aspirations Project.

Saima blogging about visiting University of East London

As a Heba Women’s Project student we have a visit to UEL university. It was a wonderful experience. We have one of the staff member who showed us the different departments and classes. We learned lot of things e.g. how much we can get support as a student. There is an opportunity to use your study in to practical work. That visit gave me so much confidence that I would go to UNI and I could see some people who help me to gain my goal. I was thinking that if I did complete my study here instead of my country I would managed my study and career much better. The university is not leave the students to work alone and gives social networking and professional guidance. I wondered that UNI is providing the place to start a small business with successful people. The most popular course was fashion design. I was deeply impressed with the whole setup and regularity of the college. But it’s not too late, I think I still could go and have that chance. The most important thing for me as a mother is that I could help my child to choose the right path for him, and he will definitely take that. I think if I did not take the chance that HEBA gave me to visit the UNI I would not know that.

Solima writes her blog about Anthropology

A Woman who inspired me

I met Camilla. She came to our class to talk about her studies. Camilla is anthropology student. I didn’t know what anthropology was – I never heard that word before.

When Camilla started talking about her studies I was confused at first; I thought it was very hard. Then we talked about examples of anthropology in our lives, like when your mother in law has a different way of doing things in her home – and then I understood! When you go to a new place, you have to learn how people think. This is Anthropology.

I like different cultures, different people. I already know a lot about this because of my life experience. Anthropology is useful for lots of jobs – fashion, media, and managing people. I think I could be good at Anthropology.

Account 3 Visit:

I am a new student of HEBA Women’s Project and when I joined here I had a chance to visit Account 3. It was a little while ago and we went as a big group, which was great for me because I never went on a trip. When I was at college, our college had invited me for a visit but because my parents said you should not go because it was mixed with boys and girls together, so that is why I really appreciated going on a trip with HEBA. When I went to Account 3, I was still a new student at HEBA, so I was a bit shy.

We went to Account 3 by walking so now I know where it is. When we entered Account 3, we saw a young man who was the receptionist and he welcomed us. Then he explained us how he worked and how he got his job through volunteering. After that Nilza came and she explained to us how Account 3 provides support and jobs in the community. We met a lady who is an accountant and she explained the work she does and why accounts are important for the organisation. Next, the training manager told us about the different training that we can do at Account 3. Finally, I want to say HEBA is a great institute to provide us good service. Because of HEBA, I could go Account 3 and learn something new. It was awesome.

Meeting guests from BBC

My name is Ruksana, a few months ago we had a visit from some guests at BBC coming to HEBA. There was about 5 women from BBC who came in our class, we made groups and had a chance to talk to the women, talking about their life and our lives. They are very busy women; they have to main everything together like their children, family and work.

It was important for us, because we learned about their life and how we can improve our lives. It was a big opportunity for us to meet the BBC. It was only possible because of HEBA, making a meeting with the women from BBC.

Jasbir’s Visit from University of East London

Jasbir visited HEBA Women’s Project this year, telling us about the journey of her life. She told us about how she learned, the types of work that she did and all because of the support from her mother. Jasbir’s mother had to be very organised and support her family and children by working, and making some very important decisions to help her family become successful. This showed me, how important education is and the things that people have to do to try and be successful and get a job.

Farida

Visit to Praxis:

I am writing about Praxis, I went to Praxis a few months ago. I went with HEBA Women’s Project in my English class. This visit was very helpful for me, because I learned many new things when each of the people working at Praxis gave a presentation about their working lives. They told us about the different kinds of work they do to protect the human rights of all sorts of different migrants. It is a big job, it showed me that everyone’s human rights are very important no matter whatever their background.

Ruhena

Bishopsgate Institute:

I went to Bishopsgate Institute last month, this was near HEBA, we walked altogether as a class. Where we came to a beautiful building, entering a grand hallroom, I felt really special. The teacher in the class explained that there was lots of things to do at this organisation, where they have a library, art on the walls and different courses for all types of people. We did an activity where we compared old and new maps of London, finding the places we live and have been to. Also, looking at photographs of people in London from the past and comparing our lives. I am really happy that I was given the chance to visit such a special place, which is very near to me, because I would not have been able to go by myself and now I can take my family and visit this organisation together. I have learned about what Bishopsgate Institute is and everyone is allowed to go there for all things.

Silpi