Oxford Aid to the Balkans (OXAB)

Oxford Aid to the Balkans (OXAB)

Established in 1993 by students from University of Oxford to provide aid to refugees in the former Yugoslavia;Throughout the 1990s, OXAB sent student volunteers to Bosnia-Herzegovina; Bulgaria (from 2001) and Albania (from 2009);OXAB is a registered charity in the United Kingdom (#1104190);In 2006, OXABs counterpart NGO, OXAB 2006, was registered in Bulgaria;

About OXAB

According to UNHCR, as of January 2014, there are 8800 refugees and asylum seekers registered in Bulgaria;Sizeable increases in asylum seekers over the month of September: 1000 new asylum seekers have arrived;The Bulgarian Government Agency for Refugees is the primary actor responsible for refugee operations and coordination in Bulgaria;The main centres in Sofia, Bulgaria are: Ovcha Kupel and Voenna Rampa.

Refugee Situation Summary

Voenna Rampa Refugee Centre is located in Sofia, Bulgaria;It is not a conventional UNHCR-run refugee camp; it is a formerly abandoned school converted into a place of residence for asylum seekers and refugees;It has a capacity of 600-800 people; It has two classrooms for teaching.

Voenna Rampa Refugee Centre

Film DocumentaryFilm

Internship ProgramAn important opportunity to gain fieldwork and research experience.Based in Sofia, Bulgaria, working in Voenna Rampa and in Sofia;3 placements: June 30-August 3 August 4 - September 7; and September 8 - October 12;At least 4 interns per placement, up to 8 per placement;Applications are open from 1 31 October 2014;Teams will be selected in mid-November.

Working Voenna RampaVolunteers will have access to two classrooms; Volunteers will be supported by permanent staff on-site: 2 volunteer coordinators Nabil and Chrisy and 1 Red Cross worker, 1 UNHCR worker, as well as a Director and Assistant DirectorThere is also permanent security on-site: at least 8 guards on-site at all times.

Working With the Children

Working With the Children

Research and Social Campaign WorkImportant component of internship program is new research;Volunteers will have to formulate a project proposal by January 2015;Present project proposal by Monday, January 26 2015;Be matched with a local organization;Work part-time (half-days) with organization;Projects can include: organizing a human rights film series; analyzing childrens legal provisions in Bulgarian asylum law; convening workshops; and more.

Training PreparationsModule I: Learning about the Placement Module II: Program PlanningModule III: Teaching strategiesModule IV: Introduction to Bulgarian LanguageModule V: Introduction to Arabic LanguagesModule VI: Formal Sensitivity Training Course

Costs and Funding OpportunitiesCosts are minimal:Application fee of 25, 5 will be returned if you fill-out feedback form

For Funding:Your Colleges;Internships Office;External internship support funds;Fundraise individually.

In SumThis is a unique opportunity for you to gain fieldwork experience and research experience; To think critically, to be creative, to be challenged;To be engaged in the betterment of refugee programs in Bulgaria.

Going ForwardOnline applications are available from October 1 31 2014;Interviews will take place: 1-16 November 2014;Teams selected: 17 November 2014;Training modules resume: 24 November 2014 23 May 2015;First departures in July 2015.

Feel free to contact us directly: Stanislava.Topouzova@law.ox.ac.ukOnline at: oxabbulgaria.comFacebook

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