"A word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure."
Welcome is a very powerful word. It is used in every language to let someone know that we are glad they are with us. However, it is not a word frequently heard by forced migrants (asylum seekers and refugees) who are more likely to hear the sentiment, "Get back to your own country", "We don't want you here" or "You are only here to scrounge from us".
Baca is a Loughborough based charity established to welcome young people who arrive in this country from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea, Albania, Palestine and Sudan amongst others.
They arrive with no family, no or little English and hardly any possessions. We believe in young people and we aim to invest hope into their lives seeing their futures shaped in positive ways. They are important, they matter and we are glad they are here.
We also help young people in local secondary schools to connect with their own identity by giving them a chance to experience someone else’s world through “Passage” (click on the link for more details). Passage helps pupils to consider the changes associated with forced migration as well as reinforcing the reality that we all experience elements of change and transition. Welcoming these experiences help us to grow as individuals.
BACA: Investing Hope Shaping Futures
"Young People should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. They can be key agents for development and peace. If they are left on societies' margins, all of us will be improverished."