Background

The southern Spanish village of Las Norias de Daza (El Ejido municipality) in the region of Almeria has a population of 8.864 out of which 57,2% are migrants. Most of them are newly arrived and work in greenhouses. 

Objectives

The Bantaba centre wants to be a place of encounter and relationship for migrants and between the local populations. Bantaba's main objective is the integration of the migrant population at local level. 

Indirectly, it also aims to foster the participation of volunteers to support people who are marginalised.

Activities

Spanish lessons (language is an essential element for communication and integration).

  • Intensive courses in July and August (summer) run by volunteers (lay people and RSCJ). Twelve daily courses of 90 minutes each. Students attend their courses on a daily base.    

  • Annual course: Three courses on morning time for women (after they drop their children at school) and unemployed migrants. Seven courses on evening time for employed migrants. Courses time might adapt according to the student shifts. Students attend their courses twice a week.

Computing lessons

  • IT lessons: 30 hours course.

Counselling

Front desk open 5 days a week 5 hours per day. Run by RSCJ.

  • Support on everyday life: explication of Spanish culture/food/habits; cover basic needs (diapers for babies), etc.

  • Preparing migrants for the Spanish citizenship exam.

Outcomes:

  • Migrants improved their language skills: the number of students attending the intensive courses add up to about 180. The annual courses welcome around 150 students.

  • About 30 migrants have acquired basic IT skills.

  • Around 10 people daily receiving attention to their needs.

  • Migrants feel belonging to a community.

  • Migrants feel familiar with the local area. 

  • Volunteers have lived an transforming experience (indirect)

 

 

People being served

People being served : People who are marginalised

Schedule

Project status : Ongoing

Images

Overview

Focus of the project : People

JPIC Imperative : Welcoming People on the Move

UN Sustainable Development Goals :