The topic of hosting refugees is a meaningful conversation many country leaders are having, as more people seek refuge from issues in their homeland, such as violence and corrupt governments.
Hiruy Amanuel, ETM Software’s strategic advisor, says that the technology solution provider company leads the space for innovative solutions for refugees by highlighting the importance of access to e-learning.
About ETM Software
ETM Software builds custom enterprise software solutions for public and private organizations. Founded in 2016, ETM Software is based out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and has worked on more than a hundred projects to support diverse customers.
Though ETM Software provides services to various clientele, its primary goal is to provide better workflow solutions for humanitarian and hospitality service sectors. Working with humanitarian organizations pushed ETM Software in the right direction towards further involvement in delivering accessible e-learning for refugees.
The Importance of E-Learning for Refugees
Newly released research from the Immigration Policy Lab reveals the high levels of resourcefulness refugees hold. Refugees are very persistent in finding opportunities they genuinely want through out-of-the-box strategies such as moving to another state for job access, even if it is right after an initial country to country move. During the Immigration Policy Lab study, researchers tracked around 450,000 people between 2000 and 2014 who had sought safety and refuge in the United States. Many of these settlers chose to move to a different state not long after their original arrival in the U.S. Out of the monitored 447,747 refugees, 47 percent recorded moving to a new area by their first year. The main priorities for such a move revolve around seeking better job opportunities and more outstanding social networks.
The study done by the Immigration Policy Lab crushes negative refugee stereotypes. Data reflected that most refugees are not choosing to move to states where welfare benefits are most accessible, which means refugees are not looking to drain a state’s resources long-term, as previous counter opinions have stated. The majority of refugees in the United States choose to move out of states with high unemployment rates and relocate to states that exemplify career opportunities and have economies on the rise.
According to ETM Software COO and co-founder of refugee e-learning, Sosena Terefe, refugees and asylum seekers are in most cases highly skilled and have a lot to give to their host country. However, though they might be the best candidates for multiple different jobs, refugees still have to operate around numerous barriers put in their path that often prevents them from ever having an opportunity to exercise their skills. As Terefe puts it, when a refugee comes to a host country, their main goal is to move forward as quickly as possible to settle into their new life. The communities in which these refugees choose to live can significantly benefit from the extensive range of skills refugees hold. Through e-learning, refugees can have the chance to upskill prior to immigrating for better integration into such fields as healthcare, software development, or even engineering. ”We have plans this year to expand our e-learning programs to other countries outside of Africa such as Syria, Indonesia, and Armenia.” said Sosena.
About Sosena Terefe
Sosena Terefe is a senior software developer with a focus on enterprise software and operating capabilities. She is also the COO and Co-founder of ETM Software based in Ethiopia. By applying her skills towards projects promoting social change, she aims to maximize her company’s global footprint giving visibility to those that are so often invisible.
About Hiruy Amanuel
Hiruy Amanuel is a dedicated philanthropist who has invested in several educational and technological initiatives in East Africa. By increasing access to quality education and technological resources, he hopes to drive the rapid development of groundbreaking technologies throughout the Horn of Africa.
