A holistic education for refugees

By Magdalena Ochońska, Bonifraterska Charitable Foundation (Poland) and member of the PUENTE Project.

“Providing support to refugees is not just about meeting their basic needs; it’s about offering a comprehensive, empathetic approach that considers their unique experiences,” says Magdalena Ochońska from Bonifraterska Charitable Foundation, emphasizing the importance of a holistic and empathetic approach when supporting displaced individuals, particularly in the context of the ongoing refugee crisis.

At Bonifraterska Charitable Foundation in Konary, Poland, where Magdalena works, refugees receive essential support, including housing, meals, and psychological and physiotherapy assistance. “We believe that empathy and openness to people with experiences completely different from our own are fundamental to providing assistance to refugees,” she explains. This reflects the core principles of the PUENTE Project, which aims to equip refugees with the tools needed to successfully integrate into their new communities.

Ukrainian refugees support

Poland has been at the forefront of responding to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, providing immediate assistance to those displaced by the war. The country has implemented a variety of programs aimed at addressing the urgent needs of refugees, including temporary protection, access to housing, language learning opportunities, and employment support. 

According to a PUENTE Project‑led participatory diagnosis carried out among refugees from Ukraine in six European countries, nearly half of respondents reported lacking essential information upon arrival—20 % lacked information on housing, 16 % on psychosocial support, 14 % on healthcare and 13 % on language services.The same study found that only about two‑thirds of professionals had received prior training before starting in refugee support roles; the most demanded training topics included intercultural communication (34 %) and trauma‑and psychosocial support (29 %). 

Under this context, Bonifraterska Charitable Foundation has played a significant role in addressing these challenges by focusing on the long-term well-being of refugees through its holistic approach. This includes not only providing emergency assistance but also offering essential psychosocial support to help refugees overcome the trauma of displacement. The aim is to create an environment where refugees can rebuild their lives with dignity and autonomy, eventually contributing to their host community in meaningful ways.

Holistic education for refugees

PUENTE Project, in which Magdalena’s organization is an active participant, emphasizes the importance of non-formal education as a tool for the social and labor integration of refugees. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to help refugees rebuild their lives. It is not just about language learning, but also about fostering a sense of belonging and providing the skills needed for active participation in society.

Magdalena highlights that the education provided through the PUENTE Project is being designed to be inclusive, accessible and relevant to the diverse needs of refugees. “The module we developed includes various materials such as audio and video resources to ensure that the content is understandable for all learners, regardless of their background or country of origin.” The focus on providing accessible learning materials is a key feature of the project’s success in Poland, where many refugees face challenges related to language barriers and a lack of familiarity with the local education system.

A significant challenge in the implementation of the PUENTE Project was ensuring that the training materials and methods were universally applicable, both for the Western European context and for the Polish experience.

Strengthening the refugee integration process in Europe

The experience of Bonifraterska Charitable Foundation in supporting refugees can offer valuable lessons for other European countries facing similar challenges. One of the key take‑aways from this approach is that refugees bring with them distinct histories, experiences and capacities. “For us, the most important conclusion is that every refugee or migrant brings with them their own experiences of trauma, their own history, and their own specific abilities and talents. As providers of support to these  groups, we should be aware that our assistance must take into account differences in culture, worldview, as well as various sensitivities and disabilities. This, for us, is the greatest value of this project” Magdalena reflects.

When such a holistic education and support model is applied—one that integrates non‑formal training, psychological support, cultural adaptation and practical assistance—the result is a stronger foundation for integration, both for the individual and for the host community. Poland’s experience, and the data emerging from the PUENTE Project, provide relevant lessons for other European countries: the need to design inclusive systems, backed by training, accessible materials and clear information channels, cannot be overlooked.

Lessons from PUENTE Project 

The PUENTE Project’s approach to refugee education offers valuable insights for European countries. By focusing on the holistic needs of refugees—addressing not only their educational needs but also their social and emotional well-being—the project helps create a more inclusive environment. This approach not only benefits refugees but also enriches the host communities, fostering greater understanding and collaboration across cultures.

Magdalena concludes, “The most important takeaway for us is that refugees, no matter their background or experience, have unique talents and skills that can contribute to society. By providing them with the tools they need to succeed, we are not only helping them rebuild their lives, but we are also strengthening our communities as a whole.”