- For the first generation of refugees to this country, the major problems are related to housing, employment and the language barrier. Their needs therefore include access to welfare rights, health services, counselling and advice and the role of the project is to support them, and advocate on their behalf.

- For the second generation, who were born in this country, the need is for social and educational activities to prevent social exclusion. For this group, activities have been organised, such as traditional dance and drama, day trips, health sessions, school based discussion groups, supplementary school, sports and other recreational activities.

- To encourage young girls to raise their confidence, thereby enabling them to participate in constructive group and social activities, such as healthy living classes or FGM discussion groups

- To identify the specific needs of African girls and young women as the project develops, and initiate appropriate responses

- To provide skills training for young girls and women in various areas

- To provide ESOL classes for young girls in order for them to overcome language barriers and (cut) access employment

- To encourage young girls to use the available health and social care services

- To support the girls and young women in building up their self-esteem and improving their future parenting skills by creating the opportunity for them to express their feelings through workshops and drama

- To liase and network with other service providers

- To recruit, induct and train volunteers to support the activities of the project

- To raise awareness on issues around female health, such as Female Genital Mutilation, HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancy, and to support girls and young women in adopting healthy lifestyles


OUTREACH

Through outreach and consultation, new clients have been introduced to the organisation from different boroughs, such as Hackney, Islington, Newham, Haringey and Tower Hamlets. These clients come with varied needs, including homelessness, welfare rights, immigration, health and family problems.

45 girls have been recruited to ESOL classes, in order to improve their English and integrate better into society.

Clients are referred to specialist agencies in cases that are beyond the remit of the project.


WORKSHOPS

Various events, workshops and group discussions were organised for the young girls and women to raise their awareness on issues, such as FGM, healthy living, nutrition and other topics to help improve their well being.

Professionals were invited to give talks at several of the events, on specific issues such as HIV/AIDS, FGM, teenage pregnancy, suicide and sexual health. The attendance usually averaged five to ten young girls and boys.


VOLUNTEERING AND EMPLOYMENT

Fifteen volunteers from different parts of Africa, speaking different languages, were trained to support the activities of the project. They were also supported with filling application forms, and other job hunting activities, and seven volunteers have since found employment through this scheme.


NETWORKING

The project liases and networks with Social Services from different boroughs, including Hackney, Hounslow and Tower Hamlets, and worked closely with foster carers and social workers concerning young girls who experienced different forms of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The Young Girls Development Worker, Ayan Farah was involved in some case conferences and reviews concerning children, in the role of supporting, empowering and advocating on behalf of the organisation's clients.
Xanaano also works with local non-statutory agencies; for example, ten girls have been referred to the Praxis Centre, a local community group, in order to learn dressmaking skills.


TRIPS AND SOCIALISING

Day trips for young girls and women were organised to enable them gain confidence and self-esteem.

Ayan Farah writes, 'during our first trip to Margate we discussed issues of FGM. However, as this trip was made in conjunction with young boys, most of the young girls were uncomfortable discussing this issue at the time.

A second trip for young girls and women only was very successful. They spoke out confidently about the issue and shared their experiences. A young woman from the Nigerian community was very open in sharing her experiences, mentioning how and when her circumcision took place. A lesson learnt from these two trips was that the discussion of FGM in peer groups was very effective and successful.


INTERPRETATION

The project is also involved in interpreting for clients on issues such as housing, immigration, welfare rights, bills and legal issues. Clients were referred to specialist agencies when necessary.


HEALTH SESSIONS

Ten HIV/AIDS workshops were organised, with four volunteers trained to facilitate the sessions, thereby also enhancing their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The Development Worker undertook a four day HIV/AIDS training to organise the awareness raising sessions around the issue.

Our target groups were young people from hostels, youth clubs, community centres and colleges. The sessions were very well attended, although it was initially difficult for the issue to be discussed.


CULTURAL EVENTS

A three month cultural project on Somali folklore dance and drama met for three hours every Saturday to rehearse. This project gave opportunities for first- and second- generation young girls to meet, socialise, get together and share ideas, building up their confidence and self-esteem. The climax of the cultural project was a performance day, attended by over 150 participants.


HOMEBASED LEARNING

Unfortunately, many of the women in our target group with younger children cannot attend the centre due to lack of crèche facilities. The Xannaano project received funding from Tower Hamlets College (Homebase) to offer home tuition for women and experienced tutors were recruited for this purpose.