About 

AFRIL was established in 2006 to support vulnerable migrant, asylum seeking, and refugee families to overcome their complex problems and meaningfully integrate into the local community. AFRIL supports families through the Helping Hands Foodbank, Rainbow Club Supplementary School, and the Advice and Advocacy service, as well as wellbeing and community gardening projects. 

Rainbow Club 

A significant number of the Rainbow Club students are recently resettled Syrian refugees, brought to Lewisham via the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.

AFRIL have worked hard to continue running the school programme remotely as many of their clients did not have access to much needed digital technologies. AFRIL managed to secure 60 electronic devices and 25 data plans to ensure that their clients can continue to receive this much needed support. 

Partnering with Fairbeats!, another South London charity, who aim to bring people together through music-making, Rainbow Club also allows vulnerable children the chance to express themselves creatively. Rainbow Club runs physical education and art lessons alongside the Fairbeats! music lessons and, before Covid-19, took students on trips and museum visits. 

How can you help?

Programmes such as AFRIL’s Rainbow Club provide the most vulnerable and marginalised children with the chance to grow and flourish in a new and difficult environment. Not only by improving their chances to succeed in mainstream schooling but also by giving them the opportunity to express themselves and grow their creativity in a safe environment. 

If you want to help you can donate to AFRIL here. Just £80 can provide 4 hours of English, Maths, Art and Music lessons for a migrant or refugee child.