STUDENTS
4 REFUGEES
VISION
Our vision is to see the decent and humane treatment of all refugees and asylum seekers. We strive to improve the integration of the refugee community in the south of Israel and refute the fears of Israelis against refugees to accept them as a population that can contribute to local communities. SFR believes that engaging the public about tolerance and patience will create a better society for all of us, a society of mutual respect, brotherhood, and solidarity. We strive for an active civil society that welcomes a wide and pluralistic exchange of opinions.
MISSION
SFR is a non-profit, volunteer led organization that works to better the lives of refugees and asylum seekers and connect them with their communities in the south of Israel. Our primary goal is to provide refugees and asylum seekers with education and advocacy tools to improve their quality of life and increase their understanding of their rights in Israel. Our secondary goal is to create a bridge between refugees and the Israeli public through lectures, educational materials, and one-on-one encounters among community members.
HISTORY
Students for Refugees (SFR) was founded in 2009 by four students at Ben Gurion University in Be'er Sheva, Israel. As the central entity acting for the refugee community in the south of Israel, SFR is guided by a sense of duty as citizens of a state established by refugees and for refugees, to help those whose lives are threatened in their own countries. Under its first year SFR took two parallel routes – the first route was a search for a deeper understanding of refugees' home country context; the causes that led them to leave everything behind and flee for their lives; the international conventions on the subject; and other relevant material. The second route was the establishment of trust between students and the refugee community, and the creation of a stronger and more purposeful relationship. These two routes led to the understanding that SFR should not only work for these people, but rather work together with them in collaboration towards mutual understanding and advocacy.
SFR has grown from its initial spontaneous initiative to establish innovative community based projects centered on child development, adult education, and community outreach. SFR is entirely supported by students and community volunteers and is a non-profit organization that collaborates with other organizations, including UNHCR and Israeli government institutions.