The StratREAL Foundation will work with the Foundation for UNESCO - Education for Children in Need on a highly targeted project to help orphaned girls in the Yemen.
Traditionally, the very existence of girl orphans has been denied by Yemeni society. As such, these children represent a particularly vulnerable proportion of the child population in this extremely poor and underdeveloped country.
Even in this day and age, these girls are being hidden away and exploited within the traditional extended family.
Their basic rights are systematically ignored, and cases of severe maltreatment are unfortunately common.
The Al Rahma Foundation for Human Development founded the first ever orphanage for girls in Sanaa, with an initial group of 20 girls in 2000. Since then, it has tripled in size, and has also taken in over 47 of their brothers, also orphans. Despite the commitment of its founder, the institution however sadly lacks in pedagogical, psychological, and managerial expertise.
Overcoming social exclusion
Over the next two years, this programme seeks to give these children an opportunity to overcome their deeply entrenched social exclusion by providing them with an opportunity to learn English and receive computer training, which will allow them to apply for jobs in the modern Yemen economy.
All children, including the girls will take part in martial arts classes as a way to strengthen their self-esteem and discover their bodies, and creativity workshops will be organised for the for the children and the staff - a concept entirely unknown in Yemen.
In addition, all those directly involved with caring for the children will receive training in child development, psychology, early recognition of illnesses and impairments as well as conflict resolution. Other administrative staff will undergo training enabling them to define institutional objectives, organise the division of work, monitor their activities and evaluate the results.
Find out more about UNESCO - Education for Children in Need