Home Away from Home : Photovoice Project with Young Asylum Seekers
Marcu, Cristina (2018)
Marcu, Cristina
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018112518101
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018112518101
Tiivistelmä
Cristina Marcu Home Away from Home: Photovoice project with young asylum seekers
67 Pages and 6 attachments
November 2018 Helsinki
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Services Bachelor of Social Services
This project-oriented thesis stems from the wish to answer to a real need at the community level, contributing to the transitional process of those who came in Finland as asylum seekers, while waiting for the decision regarding the international protection and their refugee status. The “Home Away from Home” photographic exhibition project was developed with the young asylum seekers from Vamos for Young Asylum Seekers and took place between August and December 2017.
Vamos for young Asylum Seekers, a project of the Deaconess Institute of Helsinki, was implemented between 2016 and 2018. It aimed to improve the wellbeing of young asylum seekers, aged between 16 and 29, increasing their participation and offering a holistic program for vulnerable individuals.
The photographic exhibition took place between 13th and 30th of December 2017, and it showcased 24 posters, gathering over 44 pictures with captions having as a theme the concept of home. Finding a new home is captured and narrated by young asylum seekers. The main method used in this project is Photovoice. Belonging to the large family of participative methods, Photovoice is the tool designed to increase the social involvement and participation of the youth.
“Home Away from Home” aims, to involve the participants actively and to open an opportunity for discussion about the integration of the newcomers at the community level. Photovoice has the power to transcend the language barrier and can have a ripple impact initiating change. Altogether, nine asylum seekers, men and women aged between 16 and 29 years old, participated in three workshops producing 66 pictures regarding their feelings and perception of “home”, and introducing themselves to the public. The event took place in Sello Library from Espoo, a location highly accessible to the whole range of the public. Overall, the exhibition and the entire project results are evaluated to be positive. The objectives of increasing the social involvement, the sense of belonging and homely feeling, as well as bringing awareness of the difficulties of a young person going through the asylum process, were reached. However, the extended results of the broader goals of a small-scale project may be seen developing in the future.
“Home Away from Home” brought together different stakeholders, participants, public and other professionals. It aims to be a model for further photovoice projects involving different types of target groups.
67 Pages and 6 attachments
November 2018 Helsinki
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Services Bachelor of Social Services
This project-oriented thesis stems from the wish to answer to a real need at the community level, contributing to the transitional process of those who came in Finland as asylum seekers, while waiting for the decision regarding the international protection and their refugee status. The “Home Away from Home” photographic exhibition project was developed with the young asylum seekers from Vamos for Young Asylum Seekers and took place between August and December 2017.
Vamos for young Asylum Seekers, a project of the Deaconess Institute of Helsinki, was implemented between 2016 and 2018. It aimed to improve the wellbeing of young asylum seekers, aged between 16 and 29, increasing their participation and offering a holistic program for vulnerable individuals.
The photographic exhibition took place between 13th and 30th of December 2017, and it showcased 24 posters, gathering over 44 pictures with captions having as a theme the concept of home. Finding a new home is captured and narrated by young asylum seekers. The main method used in this project is Photovoice. Belonging to the large family of participative methods, Photovoice is the tool designed to increase the social involvement and participation of the youth.
“Home Away from Home” aims, to involve the participants actively and to open an opportunity for discussion about the integration of the newcomers at the community level. Photovoice has the power to transcend the language barrier and can have a ripple impact initiating change. Altogether, nine asylum seekers, men and women aged between 16 and 29 years old, participated in three workshops producing 66 pictures regarding their feelings and perception of “home”, and introducing themselves to the public. The event took place in Sello Library from Espoo, a location highly accessible to the whole range of the public. Overall, the exhibition and the entire project results are evaluated to be positive. The objectives of increasing the social involvement, the sense of belonging and homely feeling, as well as bringing awareness of the difficulties of a young person going through the asylum process, were reached. However, the extended results of the broader goals of a small-scale project may be seen developing in the future.
“Home Away from Home” brought together different stakeholders, participants, public and other professionals. It aims to be a model for further photovoice projects involving different types of target groups.