[UPDATED] Learning space opens for migrant children

Ever Mejia, father of two teenagers, yesterday praised Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC), a non-government organisation, for providing a school for migrants' children.

Speaking to Newsday at the opening and orientation of The Learning Space for Venezuelan children at Flo-Essence, the corner of Western Main Road and Calcutta Street, St James, Mejia said when it was made public that migrants' children will not have access to public education, it raised a lot of concerns for parents.

He said thanks to the programme, his two teenagers now have an opportunity to go to school.

“I am happy about the programme because in the past there was no programme and I am overwhelmed to be here, because the children are not at fault with the political problem in Venezuela.

“It is a spectacular initiative. I can now feel comfortable at work knowing my children are in a safe space while learning,” Mejia said.

Aura Yanis, 32, the mother of three children, six, nine and 12, said she had travelled with them since 5.30 am from Piarco to ensure they were among the 100 students to be enrolled for the new school term for a year.

“This is a great opportunity for my children. Back home they did not have the opportunity to go to school…this is a very exciting time for them. I am happy to be here.”

At the launch, team leader of ITNAC Avonelle Hector-Joseph called on corporate TT to support the programme. She said as a small NGO ITNAC did not have international, UN or government funding.

Hector-Joseph said the initiative was a large task and the budget was $490,000 for the year.

“Like all of our projects, we are stepping out in faith and also, in addition to all of this, we still have our back-to-school projects in Haiti, India, and Kenya. We are excited with all the challenges, because we think they are here and a need has been presented to us, and we have to respond.

“We want to say to TT, we need your support and partnership. We don’t know what can happen to us and we will also need support. We need volunteers who can do dance, music, arts, crafts, donations of meals water, juice, snacks, meal vouchers from different restaurants."

Hector-Joseph said the organisation started Centro de Amor, which means the "Love Centre" where they visited families in their homes because there were a lot of migrants living in homes with more than 16 people in the household.

The organisation provided food, clothes and medical assistance for migrants in Penal and Fyzabad. Hector-Joseph said this weekend the organisation will be visiting families in Londonville.

She said if each person could donate $20 it would all add up.

“We have given each child three T-shirts and two bottom pieces which is khaki, navy blue or black pants. The school will run from 7.30 am -5.30 pm and the official classes will be from 8.30 am to noon, and then a two-hour period of crafts, drama, dance, music, with the volunteers we have coming it.”

She said it is an informal space for learning, not an official school, but: "The children will learn mathematics, English and Spanish and also history of their country and TT.

“We will also see what we can mirror in terms of their education system so that when they go back to try to present in some way some level of smooth transition back to their country. They are here not because they want to (be), but under forced circumstances.”

She added, “We also have a nursery from nine months to just under four years and the learning space is from four to 16.

Anyone wishing to help The Learning Space can call or Whats App 394-2042. The learning Space is on the Western Main Road in St James above Flo-Essence.

This story was originally published with the title "Learning space opened for migrant children" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Ever Mejia, the father of two, today praised Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC), a non-government organisation, for providing a school for migrants’ children.

Speaking to Newsday at the opening and orientation of The Learning Space for Venezuelan children at the corner of Western Main Road and Calcutta Street, St James, Mejia said when it was made public that migrants' children will not have access to public education, it raised a lot of concerns for parents.

He said thanks to the programme, his two teenagers now have an opportunity to go to school.

“I am happy about the programme because in the past there was no programme and I am overwhelmed to be here, because the children are not at fault with the political problem in Venezuela.

At the launch, team leader of ITNAC Avonelle Hector-Joseph called on corporate TT to support the programme.

Hector-Joseph said the initiative is a large task and the budget is $490,000 for the year.

“Like all of our projects, we are stepping out in faith and also, in addition to all of this, we still have our TT back-to-school projects in Hati, India, and Kenya. We are excited with all the challenges, because we think they are here and a need has been presented to us, and we have to respond."