Bhagavat Educational Trust It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness

About Bhagavat... The charity was founded in 1997 Target group- marginalized young people Aim- mutual assistance between UK and the host country Social integration Furtherance of education

Mutual assistance... Mutual assistance is where by one marginalized group assists another Typical groups include: young people, unemployed, educational underachievers, socially excluded “It was a big step for me as I am battling with depression but I have to say the people at BET and Rv Projects were fantastic in their support of me. I have since moved out from my parents and I am living independently and I have went back to college.” Nick Clough, 04/09/2008 to 17/09/2008 “Thanks to this project kids who are working on the streets had the chance to meet a different culture and improve their social skills. At the end of the project our children have improved their self- esteem and the ability to express themselves and raised their level of awareness. We believe that future projects will continue to affect our children positively. Dilek KILICKIRAN ,MUDUR ”

The Project... Preparation Preparation is a crucial element in preparing the young people for their experience abroad, acquainting them with the traditions and customs of the host country “This is an incredible opportunity for anyone, you will learn so much in such a short space of time and it will really open your eyes to other lifestyles and cultures. It also really helped me with my confidence in work and communicating with people.” Billy Kilpatrick, 04/09/2008 to 17/09/2008

The Project... The project is usually for 2 weeks in which the young people from UK learn new skills, customs and traditions “I feel I learnt how to work as a team and was able to meet and interact with some amazing people espetially the children at the orphanage. I feel very honoured to have had this opportunity and will take away a greatest knowledge and understanding of volunteer work and project” Leanne Crow 9/9/2010

The Project... Qualification and Career Seminar The career seminar is the essential part of the project. It motivates the young people and helps them to realize their goals. At the end, each one of them receives an updated CV, Europass and Certificate… “The Certification I received have been an essential part of my CV and enabled me to access future training, personal development and employment since the project. They are also a reminder of the work I did and all I accomplished” Rebecca Britton 20/06/2009 to 04/07/2009

Activities... Again with all the work the young people spend a lot of time interacting with the children- they play, they learn from each other exchanging experiences… ”I was really rewarding seeing a project like the one that we did take shape, and then seeing the appreciation that the kids and the teachers had for what we had done was amazing. Bulgaria was the first country I had ever been to abroad and that trip has definitely made me want to see more of the world” Nick Clough, 04/09/2008 to 17/09/2008

Results... The self- esteem and confidence of the young people improve Greater understanding and empathy towards other cultures Promotion of mutual assistant Greater employability through new qualification and vocational training Upon their return more receptive to new ideas Greater social integration “This was one of the best things I had experienced in my life as it gave me a better outlook on life and gace me real satisfaction helping others. It was a very powerfull experience and leaded to further volunteer placements in the same year- 10 weeks in Nepal and 4 weeks in Italy and all this was down to the 2 weeks. It was fantastic experience.” John Norman Abbott 12/01/2009 to 26/01/2009 84 % of the young people returned to the UK Enter into employment, education and voluntary work

NO… So does the project… Not only that... This project changes lives ...makes a difference?

Thank you for watching Bhagavat Educational Trust 609 Fishponds Road Bristol BS16 3AA Great Britain Tel: 00441172309903 www.bhagavat.org.uk E-mail: info@bhagavat.org.uk