Bhagavat Educational Trust “It´s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”

Who are we? A private charity Founded in 1997 AIMS Helping young people into Education, Training or Employment Tackling social exclusion Promoting integration of different cultures Mutual assistance of social groups Giving young people a chance

OUR CURRENT PROJECT…… ……….Leonardo Living and…… Learning Abroad

In a Nutshell The Project E.U. Funded Travel paid for Food paid for Accomodation paid for Pocket money provided 2 weeks abroad Basic renovation work Work in orphanages or.. Centres for disadvantaged children To take part you must be…… 18 – 30 yr old Unemployed British citizen Able to fundraise min £80 A group of a min 10 Young people And 2 accompanying adults

The 7 Elements Discover Reserve Prepare The project The Qualification Support Staying in touch

Discover, Reserve & Prepare Visit our online ‘Discover’ page Watch presentations and browse photos on the project Familiarise yourself with your rights and responsibilities Get hints and tips on raising the 100 pounds per head Reserve your project and make it a reality Complete and send back all enrolment forms Specify desireds dates and nearest airports Return final authorisation agreement Prepare Watch our online Bulgarian lessons Watch the presentation on your actual project Continue fundraising and work on Learning Record Pre-project team planning

Resource Centre Indispensable tool for all future participants On-line and always accessible All application forms and admin in one place Presentations on typical projects Bundles of useful information Live weather forecasts Access to local newspapers Hints & tips for fundraising Download centre for all aspects of project On-line language lessons

The Project 2 weeks in Turkey……… …..Renovating an orphanage or centre for disdvantaged children ……..Integrating with the Bulgarian children Before….. …..After

´Next Steps´ Careers Specialist Career advice given during project Real help provided to start realising ambitions CVs, interview tips, official certificates and references Appointments, interviews and open days arranged for all participants on return to UK

The Qualification Earned whilst on our project NOCN accredited Personal Development Communication & Teamskills Real life skills Entrance into education

Staying in touch Full support to all participants long after project finishes Text messages sent as reminders for interviews Follow up calls to check on progress Vouchers sent out to improved performers We communicate with the youngsters on their level Our very own FACEBOOK group that all participants can join They chat to us online and can get advice Chat to each other Browse and post photos of the projects Post advice on the ´wall´ for others Request advice from us and their peers Follow useful links for employment, education or training Get discounts on concerts and popular events Hugely popular – over 100 members for 2009 alone FACEBOOK

Forging Leaders Each youngster given responsibility for the project for a day They lead de-briefs, write and present action plans, make risk assessments and arrange meals for the whole group. Natural leaders emerge Mutual Assistance Two marginalised groups assist each other – the UK youngsters develop a sense of purpose, increased self-esteem and improved confidence…………….. …….the orphans and Roma community learn new skills, increased positivity and eagerness to interact and co-operate with others Skills for life

A few things to remember….. This project can be of enormous benefit to young people It is a genuine chance of a lifetime An experience you will remember forever Be proud that you can offer a hand to those in need But please don’t spoil it Alcohol, Drugs & Violence strictly forbidden Leaders allowing alcohol accept all responsibilty Any young person breaking the code of conduct can be sent home The UK organisation is liable for all subsequent costs Associated costs can exceed £1000 per person Act responsibly abroad If you choose not to, you alone will bear the cost

Long Term Benefits Project has long lasting effect Orphanages and homes attract more funding once project has started One orphanage ´Iskra´ received a 1 million Euro grant following project Morale of orphanage staff and children lifted – project injects renewed enthusiasm and hope Renovation, mural painting and general improvements often continued by orphanage staff New skills learnt Improved Communication Increased confidence More willingness to learn Marginalised Groups Abroad

The Street Children We target schools in predominantly poor areas Street children given a platform for intercultural exchange with UK youngsters Opportunity to work on mutually beneficial projects alongside the Turkish children Helps the street children to gain acceptance into the local community Initiates the process of co-operation and sharing of ideas between social groups – eroding barriers created by social exclusion

So does the project ………. So does the project………. No….. ………make a difference ? Not only that ……. This project changes lives.

groups participated in projects last year Over 150 young people Ex – offenders Substance misusers Recovering alcoholics Young and unemployed 84% of those young people are now in Employment, Education or further Training We are determined to do even better 2010